Assignment 5-1

You Tube

            It is with no doubt that the generations growing up as we speak live and thrive off of social media outlets and among these outlets the leader of have to be YouTube.  While Facebook and Twitter are very popular among people of all ages, YouTube is where people “get noticed”.  More and more people are creating accounts on YouTube in order to share videos with family, promote or recruit for events, and yes, even in hopes of becoming the next “Justin Bieber”. 

            YouTube founders Chad Hurley and Steve Chen came up with the idea in 2005 and then were purchased by Google in 2006.  To this day YouTube works with groups like CBS, Warner Music Group, and BBC (YouTube, 2011).  Accounts are set up for free by any adult with an email address.  From there you are free to upload and even promote original videos for whatever reason. 

            Over the years and partnership with music and television groups YouTube also showcases music videos, TV ads, movie trailers and much more.  The recent unbelievable success of teenage music star Justin Bieber has shown just how important YouTube can be.  While millions of people post funny, embarrassing, education, promotional and “just because videos each year, very few will actually ever “get noticed”.  However, this does not stop one from trying or dreaming of such success. 

            There have been lawsuits filed against YouTube on behalf of big name artists.  Risks of copy writes, loss of income, and “stealing value” are all concerns with YouTube being so easy to access.  Others worry just how safe it is to post videos of their family, after all who knows who all is watching or just where you’re private information is going.  Users of YouTube need to remember a few simple rules, just as on Facebook or Twitter accounts.  First, watch what you make public; never upload something you don’t want everyone to see.   Most importantly, never give out any private information!!  If you’re meant to be famous, they will find you; just ask Justin Bieber!

References

YouTube. (2011). Retrieved June 13, 2011, from Crunch Base http://www.crunchbase.com/company/youtube

Assignment 4-1

Android vs. IPhone

            Today’s technology advanced and fast paced society requires the same out of our communication needs.  Nearly everyone has some form of a cell phone and in 2010 23% of them had “smartphones” (Kellogg, 2010).  In this smartphone category there are Blackberry, IPhone and Android devices.  Over the last couple years Blackberry has lost ground in the battle for smartphones with once devoted Blackberry users turning to either the Android or IPhone markets.  Both Android and IPhone have seen an estimated 2% increase among users (Kellogg, 2010).

            Android and IPhone devices provide the user with basically the same options and are locked in a “smartphone war” against each other.  So what’s the difference and why are users so particular on either Android or IPhone?  This question is hard to answer, but a few key points from surveys taken during purchases and voluntary response polls give us a little incite.

            Android users tend to be slightly younger and tend to have a lower education/income level than IPhone users (Kellogg, 2010).  Android phones tend to be less expensive with newer phones such as the HTC line being new in the higher priced new to their market.            The IPhones tend to have a high purchase price that may be influencing the statistics a little.  Per the Nielsen Company statistics, Android users are 70% likely to purchase another Android device compared to 80% of IPhone users who would purchase another IPhone (Kellogg, 2010).  As of 2010 IPhone users outnumbered Android users 3 to 1 and where very open to trying the Android systems.  Currently Android and IPhone are running neck and neck. 

            One key difference outside of any surveys or polls is that of their operating systems, downloadable Apps and typical usage.  Android and IPhone both offer an “app” store.  IPhones Itunes is compatible with the phone and IPod systems making it more popular than the amazon/search engine format of the Android system.  Also, Android users tend to do more file-transfers and ringtone/wallpaper downloads while IPhone still holds strong in actual music and game play (Kellogg, 2010).

            It will be interesting to see where the battle between Android and IPhone takes us.  What will be the next generation of ‘smartphones’?  Whatever it turns out to be, it will more than definitely be a creating of the battle between these two.

References

Kellogg, D. (2010, June 4). IPhone vs. Android. Retrieved June 8, 2011, from NielsenWire: http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/online_mobile/iphone-vs-android/

Assignment 3-1

Reality T.V. - Americas Got Talent

            Reality Television shows are typically network series shows aimed at “live - real life” events.  Such shows include Survivor, Big Brother, American Idol and Americas Got Talent.  More and more reality television shows are being created, with nearly every major network having at least one of their own series.  Reality television is a topic of hot debate in our current society.  Some see it as entertaining and harmless, while others feel it is exploiting young people and creating hype over nothing.

            Reality shows such as Americas Got Talent start off with open auditions from the general public.  Auditions can be for any talent from singing to juggling and of any age.  A group of judges, typically pop stars themselves, vote the auditions down to a select few.  These few are then coached and expected to perform live each week till they are either voted off or win (Americas Got Talent, 2011).  It is with no doubt that this show is popular among its viewers, enough so that the series continues every year.

 The issue many bring up is the celebrity status often obtained by the contestants on these shows and the effect it has on its viewers.  Often times the winners of such shows make one big “hooray” after their win and are never heard from again.  It is not uncommon for the runner-ups to have bigger success than the winners.  “Reality TV shows make celebrities out of talentless individuals”, “Reality TV shows bring out the worse in people’ (Jel73, 2008).  Such results often create impractical hopes and dreams of people who cannot handle it when things do not go their way.

            On the other hand, reality T.V. does open doors to many people who do truly have great talent and may have never been seen before.  Reality T.V. also provides the general public with much needed “down to earth” entertainment.  For this reason I do not see reality television stopping anytime soon.

References

Americas Got Talent. (2011). Retrieved June 1, 2011, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/America%27s_Got_Talent

Jel73. (2008, October 2008). Reality TV shows are an important part of popular culture today. Retrieved June 1, 2011, from Debatewise: http://debatewise.com/debates/332-reality-tv-shows-are-an-important-part-of-popular-culture-today