Media convergence and ideologies; The Apple VS Android battle

The ongoing technological shift, known as media convergence, alters the relationship between existing technologies, industries, markets, genres and audiences, also allows us to identify major sites of tension and transition which is shaping the media environment (Jenkins, H 2004). Thanks to media convergence, media owners have choice; choice to choose which media platform to have, how much access to technology we want,what kind of access we want etc.

Reflected back on earlier technologies, we had less variety and limited access to specifications and features. For example: phones. Users had less variety of phones to choose from; no one had a smart phone, thin or thick wasn’t an option. A phone couldn’t be used for navigation, web browsing, downloading information, playing games or downloading apps. Now a phone can be used as not only a telecommunication device, but also as an mp3 player, navigator, mini television, radio and even a professional camera.

Media convergence; less is more.

This proliferation of channels and the portability of new computing and telecommunications technologies is constantly changing and allowing us to enter an era where media will be everywhere and we will use all kinds of media in relation to each other. (Jenkins, H 2004)

This media convergence has lead to open vs closed ‘Permission vs. Permissive’ ideologies.

The owner-empowered ecosystem of Apple, versus the generative platform of Android.

Two systems I would like to discuss about open vs closed ideologies are Apple iOS ‘closed’ and Android ‘open’.

 (Dark Pixel 2012)

Apple follows the ‘closed’ ideology:

• It has a closed architecture CODE. The iPhone comes preprogrammed.
• Security resistant
• Locked into the walled garden as all apps are only available from one place and are subject to Apple’s approval.
• Users can’t modify or add programs to the all-in-one device that Steve Jobs sells you.(Zittrain, J 2008)

Android on the other hand, follows the ‘open’ ideology:

• Anyone can modify the system how it suits them and it’s free.
• The Android software is developed by Google, which then releases the open-source to device manufacturers (e.g. Samsung, HTC, Motorola, Sony, LG, Huawei, ZTE etc) who develop the phones and tablets and tailor the basic Android software from Google to their devices. That means there is much more device diversity.
• Android phones and tablets come in many different screen sizes, with or without keyboard and are budget-friendly. (Beginandroid, n.d.)

Which one is better? Thanks to media convergence, the choice is up to you. I personally prefer Apple iOS. It’s simple to use, has everything I need neatly displayed and when I need more, I download it.

Referencing list 

Beginandroid, n.d., ‘How is Android different from iPhone, Symbian, or Blackberry?’, Begin with Android, viewed 26 March 2015, <http://www.beginandroid.com/different.shtml>

Dark Pixel 2012, ‘Phone Wars’, online video, 14 November, Youtube, viewed 26 March 2015, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FT7K_429YWc>

Jenkins, H 2004, ‘The cultural logic of media convergence’, International journal of cultural studies, vol. 7(1), viewed 26 March 2015, < http://eng1131adaptations.pbworks.com/f/Jenkins,+Henry++-+The+Cultural+Logic+of+Media+Convergence.pdf>

Zittrain, J 2008, ‘The future of the internet and how to stop it’, Yale University Press, viewed 26 March 2015, <http://yupnet.org/zittrain/archives/6>