Today I got round to watching the episode of BBC's Electric Dreams based on the technology of the 90s. I decided to take notes as I watched and try and make notes of things that may be useful for my essay.
1990
Televisions were finally becoming cheaper, and many households had more than one. There were only 4 channels available in Britain.
Fax machines were brought into the home after being well established in business.
The gaming industry sees a massive take off. (The industry now rivals Hollywood in popularity).
1991
SEGA and Nintendo are the main competitors in the gaming industry. SEGA's Sonic the Hedgehog and Nintendo's Super Mario are both their own company's main weapons.
Handheld consoles are being introduced. (Gameboys, Gamegear (£200 in today's money)). Nintendo's most popular game is Tetris. 8,000 Britons own handheld consoles.
1992
Britons sign up for Satellite TV in their thousands. But at this time, it offers only and extra 5 channels.
Pagers look set to be the future of communication.
Video game violence raises concern over its effect on youths. Age ratings on games introduced soon after.
1993/4
Digital mobile phones introduced. (Motoral 3200 costs £1,400 in today's money).
Consumer digital cameras introduced. They hold around 8 images and have a resolution of half a mega pixel. (£740 in today's money).
1995
Portable technology develops. Laptops and mobiles become more sophiscated technology.
Cheaper home PCs.
1996
Sony launches the PlayStation advertising it as an adult lifestyle accessory. It outsold SEGA and Nintendo though it cost £500 in today's money.
1997
6 million Britons get online. (An estimated 45 million are today).
The Internet has around 1.5 million websites.
I very much enjoyed being able to look back on some of the technology I remember and grew up with. It was great to see the origins of some of the most widespread and popular gadgets of the modern day (mobiles, consoles, computers).
http://www.bbc.co.uk/electricdreams
Showing posts with label Electric Dreams. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Electric Dreams. Show all posts
Thursday, 22 April 2010
Tuesday, 20 April 2010
To do...
I've now got my essay in full swing and am decided on my 5 things to base it around. I've tried to choose technology and media that have become a part of my everyday life and that I have a keen interest in.
1. The Internet
As with the majority of people in the present day, the Internet has become a major part of my daily life. For work, leisure and communication, the Internet has it all. I may also go into the technologies I use to access the internet, eg. desktop computer, laptop, BlackBerry phone, Xbox 360.
2. Facebook
Facebook has also become a major thing for me. It's a great way to keep in contact with friends, arrange events, listen to music and play games. The only downside is how addictive it can become!
3. iPod
I take my iPod with me wherever I go. It's great to be able to have my entire music collection with me wherever I travel to keep me entertained. I remember having to take a pack of CDs around with me 5 years ago...
4. XBox 360
I have owned various console for around the past 14 years, including Sega Master System, Megadrive (I+II), PlayStation, PlaySation 2, and Xbox 360) and also some handheld consoles (Gameboy Colour, Gameboy Advance (+SP), PSP). The Xbox 360 is my current console of choice and I think it really symbolises how far the world of gaming has come. With online play, an internet browser, Facebook and Sky TV, the Xbox offers a lot more than gaming.
5. Television
Television is a hugely important part of life today. It has always offered entertainment and information, but has been adapted through the years to offer much more.
I also missed the 90s episode of Electric Dreams. So will have to catch up tomorrow using iPlayer (something else I debated about including in my essay!)
1. The Internet
As with the majority of people in the present day, the Internet has become a major part of my daily life. For work, leisure and communication, the Internet has it all. I may also go into the technologies I use to access the internet, eg. desktop computer, laptop, BlackBerry phone, Xbox 360.
2. Facebook
Facebook has also become a major thing for me. It's a great way to keep in contact with friends, arrange events, listen to music and play games. The only downside is how addictive it can become!
3. iPod
I take my iPod with me wherever I go. It's great to be able to have my entire music collection with me wherever I travel to keep me entertained. I remember having to take a pack of CDs around with me 5 years ago...
4. XBox 360
I have owned various console for around the past 14 years, including Sega Master System, Megadrive (I+II), PlayStation, PlaySation 2, and Xbox 360) and also some handheld consoles (Gameboy Colour, Gameboy Advance (+SP), PSP). The Xbox 360 is my current console of choice and I think it really symbolises how far the world of gaming has come. With online play, an internet browser, Facebook and Sky TV, the Xbox offers a lot more than gaming.
5. Television
Television is a hugely important part of life today. It has always offered entertainment and information, but has been adapted through the years to offer much more.
I also missed the 90s episode of Electric Dreams. So will have to catch up tomorrow using iPlayer (something else I debated about including in my essay!)
Thursday, 15 April 2010
Electric Dreams
After today's lecture on technology and media, I stumbled upon a programme called 'Electric Dreams' on the BBC. The programme explores how the technological revolution of the 70s, 80s and 90s has changed Britain's homes and our lives.
Tonight's episode explored the technology of the 80s and very interesting. It was good to see the Amstrad, Sinclair and Commodore technologies mentioned in today's lecture being used and in action. It was great to see the format transitions of this era, such as records to CDs and Betamax to VHS.
It also brought home the fact that we take technology for granted so much in the modern day. As recently as 15-20 ago, modern technology was still in its early stages, difficult to use and expensive. Nowadays wide range of technology and information is freely and easily available to us.
I will be watching tomorrow's 90s episode with great interest to see and remember the technology I grew up with!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/electricdreams
Tonight's episode explored the technology of the 80s and very interesting. It was good to see the Amstrad, Sinclair and Commodore technologies mentioned in today's lecture being used and in action. It was great to see the format transitions of this era, such as records to CDs and Betamax to VHS.
It also brought home the fact that we take technology for granted so much in the modern day. As recently as 15-20 ago, modern technology was still in its early stages, difficult to use and expensive. Nowadays wide range of technology and information is freely and easily available to us.
I will be watching tomorrow's 90s episode with great interest to see and remember the technology I grew up with!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/electricdreams
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