Convergence: not `tomorrow land' anymore. (Networks).

"Digital Convergence:" The idea of seamlessly merging consumer electronics devices such as DVD players and set-top boxes with features like digital photo viewing, streaming audio, and even the Internet. Sounds impressive to those enthusiasts who can envision its possibilities. The reality is that "convergence" still exists in many consumers' minds as a "Tomorrow Land" improbability - a concept that is associated with content that is too bulky in its delivery delays, flickering text and cumbersome navigation. Yet, with all the applications of convergence we've read about - from microwaves that talk to handheld devices, do laundry, lock doors and turn on sprinklers - you'd think we've already reached convergence nirvanana. However, is this what consumers really want - yet another appliance?

Making the case for digital convergence is similar to communicating the need for high speed Internet access in the late 1990s when consumers' limited understanding of the benefits of high-speed technology hampered its wide-scale adoption. In the 1990s, consumers who did decide to give it a shot bought only the bandwidth they needed to support their Internet usage at the time. The same phenomenon is happening today with digital convergence. We're finding that convergence for convergence's sake isn't enough to prompt consumers to buy. Perhaps the console video game industry understands this best. Gaming companies realize that widespread consumer adoption depends on the ability to deliver an enhanced, easier, and more exciting user experience. In short, convergence should bring to mind not a device that lets you do new and different things, but one that lets you do whatever it is you've been used to doing only better. Before considering the gaming market, consider how consumers are using the devices already available. Currently, nearly 30 percent of U.S. homes have computers with modems, and almost all U.S. homes have one (at least) television set. Yet based on market resear and failed products like WebTV, consumers have little desire to send an e-mail or surf the Web from their TV (and are even less enthusiastic about having to look to their PC to take advantage of the Internet's offerings). Consumers really want high-quality home entertainment that's simple and easy to use.

Companies such as Planetweb implement embedded software into popular consumer electronics devices, such as DVD players, game consoles, set- top boxes and interactive televisions, to improve facilities that are still relevant to the device. It's a different kind of "convergence" that brings entertainment features together with an existing device to create an enhanced experience. It's not about introducing new devices that can surf the Web, play games and send email, etc it's about building natural extensions to familiar devices to help a device continue to do what it does, much better and smarter.

The gaming market is ripe for innovation. According to IDC, more than 25-million game consoles will ship in 2003; the majority of these will contain modems or broadband connections. The evolution of game consoles into more interactive and dynamic devices is a significant milestone for garners, manufacturers and the industry as a whole.

For gamers, the advantage of connecting game consoles to the Internet lies in the ability to extend the gaming community indefinitely. Garners can compete against other users across the world. Through instant messaging they can share game secrets, learn to access levels they couldn't get to on their own, and ridicule opponents around the world. Now, with broadband capabilities being added to Internet-enabled game devices, users can experience gaming with the speed and intensity a high-speed connection offers. These, developments make gaming - something that consumers already are fanatically devoted to - more entertaining and worthwhile.

For entertainment buffs convergence is transforming common devices like DVD players and TVs into home entertainment centres with interactive technology. DVD players, the fastest growing consumer electronics product in history, will soon be as ubiquitous as TVs. Cahners In-Stat Group notes that while twice as many DVD players were sold in the United States than Europe in the year 2000, by 2004, European sales will be equivalent to roughly 80 percent of U.S. sales.

There is a myriad of entertainment-related features to bring to the DVD player. For example, the evolution of features like digital photo viewing capabilities allows users to view their family photos, create personal slide shows, edit images, and print photo quality images by one click of a remote control using the DVD player and television. Moreover, audio enhancements let consumers connect their W3 player to a DVD player or copy and playback songs from CDs. We're seeing digital convergence redefined in the consumer electronics market today - just like we've seen with the automobile, now coming equipped with navigational tools and televisions for passengers. Similarly cell phones are now available with features that "make sense," like text messaging and personal calendars. All of these examples serve the simple purpose of adding sensible features to family, mainstream devices. In order to make life easier and more fulfilling.

At the same time, adding internet connectivity can make these added features even richer. Consider the power of digital photo viewing on your TV screen, and then add the interactivity of the Internet to the equation. In addition to viewing and editing digital images on a TV, consumers can take it a step further by accessing online photo processing destinations to process the pictures and instantly deliver to family and friends. With Internet-enhanced DVD players, consumers also have the ability to access extra Web embedded content on DVDS. Movie buffs with interactive TVs and DVDs will he able to watch coming attractions, be among the first to see new traitors and be invited to sneak previews in their area. They will spend time in virtual theatres watching films with movie fans all over the world and join online events or chats. It will even be possible to chat with actors, directors and special effects artists during the movie. With the use of a remote control consumers can download screenplays, buy opening-day tickets to a new movie, and purchase advanced copies of DVD movies. Companies that understand that the concept of digital convergence is more than an "all-in-one" device will reach consumers and quickly draw them into this exciting new world. But widespread adoption of digital convergence is contingent upon keeping technology simple from the consumer perspective. It's about turning the big ideas and innovative technologies into easy applications for consumers to use, while making the experience more entertaining and intrinsically valuable. As these components - simplicity, creativity and innovative technology - come together, digital convergence will migrate from a notion to a consumer-driven necessity.

www.planetweb.com