After watching the commercial in class about the new Sony internet TV I couldn’t help but consider the consequences of such a system. I feel it easily relates back to this generations need for instant gratification and the ability to multitask as seen in the documentary. The new system allows you to watch your favorite television programs on the TV, but also gives you access to the internet. Without interrupting your show, you can simultaneously check twitter, online shop, video chat with friends, or look something up among many other options. A dual screen even allows you to watch two programs at once.
Even the website for the new product involves multitasking. Rather than give a specific run down of the characteristics of the television set, the information page depicts characters raising their hands asking questions which are answered by clicking the link. This allows the reader to find only the information they are seeking as well as move at their own pace. There is less of a need to sift through unnecessary or unwanted information. The webpage, itself, multitasks as it controls these characters as well as the changing monitor screen. It visually demonstrates it s capabilities while a consumer can concurrently read about another feature. This set up promotes its multitasking abilities.
http://discover.sonystyle.com/internettv/#/home
Although this is the way that media is moving these days, I have yet to decide if I feel this is for the best. My initial reaction was that these distractions take away from the value of a television program. Personally, I find it impossible to genuinely watch a TV show while doing other things on my computer. In some cases, I want the extra distraction, but in others I wish to get everything I can out of the program. However, usually when watching a show that requires my entire attention it is one from a premium cable channel-a type of program that embraces more cinematic elements. And, in general, cinema has yet to transfer to multitasking viewership to the same extent of television. This conclusion led me to believe that for many network programs, this new television could be really positive. It allows viewers to create an instant sense of community while watching the show as well as a beneficial distraction from commercial breaks that may prevent views from changing channels.
2 comments:
I think with the current state of the Internet, television, and the convergence of the two, such an interface was nothing short of an inevitability. However, though its convenience may appeal to a large market (as the documentary has shown us, multitasking is one our biggest weaknesses) I can't help but agree that it could be detrimental to the traditional practice of watching television. Distractions beget distractions, and in my personal experience, the Internet is the king of distractions. With television and the Internet fighting with each other directly on one screen, it seems rare that even though a person may be actively involved in watching and googling, that either task is fully absorbing.
However, perhaps this is a necessary 'evil'. Traditional television is losing the fight against the Internet, Internet TV, and even DVR. By directly engaging the battle onto one screen, and the current trend of television and Internet compatibility through fan sites, commerce, and more, it seems that this move may be the smartest one possible.
I totally agree that multitasking ruins the ability to feel fully engrossed by a show. But at other times, I really want to know where Serena and Blair got their outfits! I think the best solution is to have a hide-away option where the Internet features are minimized out of sight or at a bar at the bottom (like if you're waiting for an important email and want to see the notification). This way you can enjoy the show, forget about the Internet, and be as engrossed as you want. When it's a commercial, you can pull up the Internet again and surf while you wait for the show to come back.
In addition to the hide-away option, I would still want to find some information about the shows that I will forget or become too lazy to follow up on if I wait to look it up after the show. If there was a way to click on the screen and it saves a bookmark, then you can return to it later and the options will show up -- 'Find where you can buy these outfits. Find the location of this shot. Read the plot history. Re-watch from this portion of the show.' I think there's a lot of potential to make entertainment from television and Internet co-exist symbiotically.
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