The first computers weren’t for everyone. Those early machines were foreboding, and learning even basic use of the computer was no trivial task. They were geared toward large-scale businesses and military, and even those guys had to hire geniuses with a penchant for electricity to make them work. Computers weren’t in the public domain. Everything has changed now, and computers have become a household item not unlike the television. You may not know the internal workings, but almost everyone can make basic use of it.
It’s for this newly developed tech-savvy market that products are being developed. One of the highlights of this decade is the move of media (music and videos) from televisions to computers and handheld computing devices like smart phones and iPads. Whereas the music industry once made a predominant amount of its fortune from records sales, piracy has all but killed that avenue. Many major record labels have faced the reality of the modern market and are reaching out to customers. Making deals with mp3 player makers to have them distribute a couple of singles has become a great way for the labels to get some of their music out there. Likewise, a variety of singles vendors (like the Apple Music Store), are becoming the main way for music lovers to get their fix.
Technology is also facilitating a move for TV lovers. Couch potatoes can no longer find their shows on their chunky box with antenna on top. Instead, just about every TV these days is at least a Plasma or an LCD, with the key feature being a flat screen. Many people have even upgraded to the new 3D TV, as well. Yet another hallmark of technology is the heralded age of computer television with Google TV, Apple TV, and YouView being the predominant competitors. Once these products become mainstream, it’s anyone’s guess what will go hi-tech next.