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20. Electronics and Appliances. Chapter Objectives. Explain convergence and its impact on consumer electronic products and services. Define broadband and describe the pros and cons of several broadband delivery technologies. Evaluate telecommunications service providers.
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20 Electronics and Appliances
Chapter Objectives • Explain convergence and its impact on consumer electronic products and services. • Define broadband and describe the pros and cons of several broadband delivery technologies. • Evaluate telecommunications service providers. • Compare similar electronic products and home appliances. continued
Chapter Objectives • Identify reliable sources of information about consumer electronic products and appliances. • Outline steps consumers can take to ensure online security and safety. • Compare energy efficiency ratings of different home appliances and electronics. • Describe some key causes of product obsolescence.
A Flood of New Products and Services • Average number of consumer electronic devices in American homes • 1.3 in 1975 • 25 in 2008 continued
A Flood of New Products and Services • Technological change will result in obsolescence of many of today’s products and services • Basic knowledge and careful planning can help you select those things you need and can afford • New products often priced high, then drop; you can save money by waiting continued
A Flood of New Products and Services • The many uses of a consumer electronic product: • communication • entertainment • education • information gathering continued
A Flood of New Products and Services • Home appliances are electricity or gas-powered devices continued
A Flood of New Products and Services • Telecommunication companies include Internet and telephone service providers • Much of the sound, pictures, and data are created by mass communication companies • includes newspapers, books, television and radio programming
Convergence • Convergence is combining several products into one • Example: the smart phone continued
Convergence • The distinction between goods and services is blurring as more products come bundled with services • Business that once only sold products now also sell services to go along with the products
The 1996 Telecommunications Act • Government regulation of telecom and mass communications used to restrict • types of services that different telecommunications industries could provide • number of mass communication outlets one company could own • The 1996 law relaxed regulations continued
The 1996 Telecommunications Act • Supporters believed the law would increase competition and lead to lower prices and better service for consumers • Critics say it led to the creation of a few large companies that dominate the telecom and mass communication industries
Pros and Cons of Converged Products • Ask yourself: • Is the device user-friendly? • Do I need all the functions? • Does the device require more energy to run? • Is the device more expensive to service?
Telecommunication Services • There are many ways of transmitting information • One company may use several different technologies • Your choices may be limited depending on where you live
Wired Carriers • Wired carriers transmit over networks of copper wires and cables • Wireless carriers transmit • over radio waves • by bouncing signals off orbiting satellites • Most companies combine wired and wireless
Dial-Up and DSL • The first Internet service providers used phone lines to transmit information continued
Dial-Up and DSL • Dial-up • uses a copper-wire phone line and a modem • is the cheapest and slowest Internet access • interferes with phone service • Digital subscriber line (DSL) • uses wires or cable and a modem • provides faster Internet access • does not interrupt phone service
Broadband • DSL is a type of Internet access called broadband, or high-speed Internet access • What constitutes high speed varies • The larger the bandwidth, the greater the amount of information that can be transmitted continued
Broadband • Types of transmissions that require large bandwidths include • streaming video and audio • interactive television • two-way communication services • The government and businesses are working to increase bandwidth and broadband speed in the U.S.
Cable and Satellite Program Distribution • Programming that is broadcast through the air and using satellites is routed through cable into customers’ homes
Fiber Optic Cables • Fiber optic cable carries data along glass strands at the speed of laser light beams continued
Fiber Optic Cables • Transmission speed is very fast, but it can be costly for U.S. consumers to get connected • Much of the U.S. copper wire network is being replaced with fiber optic cable
Direct Broadcast Satellite • Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) works by bouncing transmissions off orbiting satellites to satellite dishes on homes • Global Positioning Systems (GPS) also utilize these satellites • In remote and rural areas, this may be the only option
Wireless Carriers • Companies providing cell phone, pager, and beeper services • Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) and other technologies provide access to Internet broadband through many mobile devices
Questions for Service Providers • Are they local, regional, or national? • What services do they provide? continued
Questions for Service Providers • Investigate the company’s reputation and record for • customer service • technical support • reliable performance and connectivity • user-friendly software and instructions continued
Questions for Service Providers • How much will service cost—both initially and on a monthly basis? • Compare costs for different packages • Ask about fees and taxes • Must additional equipment and software be purchased? • Who pays for repairs?
Buying Consumer Electronics • Today’s cutting-edge products will soon be obsolete • Become informed before you buy
Computers • Before shopping, know • how much you can spend • what you need a computer to do • where you will use it • which peripheral devices you need • Read computer publications and manufacturer’s Web sites to learn about the latest developments
Desktop or Laptop • Desktops: cheaper and can be upgraded; you will need a monitor, keyboard, and mouse • Laptops and notebooks: portable, require little space to set up and store • Netbooks: portable, limited functions
Basic Features • The faster a computer can process data, the more it will probably cost • Speed is determined by the amount of random access memory (RAM) and the power of the computer’s microprocessor • RAM can usually be added at additional cost continued
Basic Features • Most people buy computers with the most processing power they can afford • Gamers and video editors often buy the fastest machines continued
Basic Features • Software are computer programs that tell the computer functions to perform • Operating systems control a computer’s basic functions: creating files, storing data, manipulating working memory • Software applications are programs that perform specific tasks
Choosing Other Features • Most computers include a modem, webcam, DVD burner, USB ports • You may need additional features such as • Wi-Fi or other technology to access the Internet • advanced graphics and sound
Cell Phones • Involves choosing a phone, service provider, and service plan • Many are converged products
Cell Phone Features • Text and multimedia messaging • E-mail and Web browsing • Instant messaging • Music, video, and podcast downloads • Camera • GPS navigation • Personal digital assistant continued
Cell Phone Features • Thousands of software applications, called apps, are available for download from the Internet • Apps allow you to customize electronic devices, including cell phones • Most apps can be downloaded for a fee
Prepaid Phones • Prepaid phones can be money savers, although cost per minute is usually higher continued
Prepaid Phones • Advantages: • Minutes are purchased before they are used, making costs easier to control • No contracts to sign • Service can be ended at any time • No credit check required
Phone Billing Problems • It pays to read your bills carefully because errors are common • Check bills for fraud such as • cramming or unauthorized charges • slamming or unauthorized switch in service
Personal Media Players • First personal media players played audio music files; other functions were added • When shopping, consider features and • memory • compatibility • style, size, and ease of use • accessories
Personal Digital Assistants • When buying, ask: • Is the PDA compatible with your computer? • Can you use the keyboard comfortably?
Televisions • Pictures are sharper since • digital broadcasts became standard • high-definition TVs (HDTV) became popular • Expanded capabilities include: Internet access, game playing, streaming video
Protecting Against Online Threats • Online security is a serious problem for government, businesses, and individuals • Number of cybercrimes committed is growing rapidly continued
Protecting Against Online Threats • Types of online attacks include • viruses • worms • spyware infections • phishing and smishing • spam • Trojan horses • cyberbullying, cyberstalking, predators
What You Can Do • Set up defenses: • anti-virus software • spam filter • firewall • adequate passwords • backup files • up-to-date software
Safeguard Personal Information • Don’t disclose personal information including • your name, birth date, address, phone number, Social Security number • your parents’ names • photos of you, your family, friends • workplace or school names • account numbers and passwords continued
Safeguard Personal Information • Check that a Web site store is secure and legitimate before you shop • Don’t open e-mail from unknown senders • Report suspicious requests for sensitive financial information and cybercrimes to authorities
Wi-Fi Security Issues • Wireless networks pose additional security risks continued