Terminals, one of the main components of Information Technology, are points of public access to the information society, are one of the most evolved, and continue to evolve. It is the continued development of terminals that can take advantage of the digitization of information and the increasing availability of infrastructure for sharing this digital information. All this has contributed to several technological innovations that have coincided in time to promote a user-friendly environment; the innovations in terminals ar linked to the innovations in services, since the terminal is usually the element that limits access.

The newest frontiers refer to the miniaturization of storage devices, that has enabled the creation of a new set of portable devices to manage multimedia content, such as portable mp3 or video players. Research is also bearing fruit in improving the duration of the batteries so that the last long enough to permit daily use.

Sales are also becoming widespread of personal computers designed for the living room, that centralize the storage and distribution of digital content for the home, known by the acronym HTPC (Home Theater Personal Computer) or Media Center PC. They are intended to group functions such as storing music and video in digital formats, the replacing of home recording of television programs, the ability to watch television with time shifting facilities, and use of a television as a monitor for viewing webpages. This is possible by the development of specific software for such computers.

2005 and 2006 saw the emergence of new generations of devices in the world of consoles. According to Yves Guillemot, CEO of Ubisoft, a next generation of consoles will begin in 2011 or 2012, when the big companies of today (Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft) are expected to take new steps in search of more diverse and better forms of interactive entertainment. In addition to technological improvements to the components, there has been a move toward the use of high definition images and storage models that support DVD formats with Blue ray. Consoles have also been developed specifically for older audiences, characterized by better design and better technical characteristics.

Another fundamental achievement has been the increased affordability of televisions with plasma technology and liquid crystal, as a result of improvements in manufacturing processes, and great competition in this market segment. This innovation to terminals has importance, since TV is the only device that is ubiquitous in every home, and still has high potential to deliver service to the Information Society.

Flat screen TVs with TFT or LCD technology are already present in at least 29% of households. Moreover, television acts as a catalyst to purchasing other components such as DVD players. The “three screens” is a term referencing the way consumers use the screens of three different devices: TV, PC, and mobile, to view video content, including on DVD or online TV. This is affecting the evolution of the digital home, as there are devices on the market that can stream video between terminals, such as Apple’s iTV that allows one to download movies online and watch them instantly on your TV via Wi-Fi connection. Although the two screens, TV and PC are already common for many users, the three screens have not yet reached a high degree of penetration, owing to the low penetration of mobile screens with video capability available.

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Category: Computers and Technology
Keywords: Technology, Communication, Business