Convergence Journalism

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What is the internet?

Lately, the FCC has given the internet a lot of attention. Two topics have been voted on, one considering Net Neutrality and the other changing the official definition of broadband. First off, Net Neutrality, to summarize what is it for those who do not know, can simply look at the video above provided by TechQuickie. This topic may not be important to most, to the people like me, who do, we are very passionate about topics such as this. The concept of slower access to content because of the content providers not paying enough money to ISP's to use internet fast lanes is enough to start arguments. The ruling for Net Neutrality is February 26, later this month.

Also, the FCC had voted to change the definition of broadband. Until recently, most US homes has access to broadband internet. The term broadband internet had the minimum speed of 4mbps/1mbps, that was until January 29. The two GOP members of the commission voted against the change, while the three Democrats, including FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, approved it. The new official definition for broadband is now 25mbps/4mbps. That is a big jump, considering most smaller towns or cities do not provide this speed to homes. According to the new definition,  20% of homes will not be able to access broadband internet, an enormous leap from the original 6.3%. It may be a sign for improved internet speeds for cheaper prices, it may also mean it will cost more for certain speeds.

Space X, a new step in space age technology?

A new space rocket was recently announced by Space X, Falcon Heavy. With 3.969 million pounds of thrust at liftoff and 4.5 million pounds in space, it will be the world's fastest rocket which equals roughly to the power of 15 Boeing 747 at full thrust. Set to launch later this year, it will be another special design by Space X. 

Source: Space X

Another interesting design they have tried to add in this project is the ability to reuse the boosters to dramatically lower costs per launch and lower waste in space. It will be meant to carry larger payloads in orbit and small spacecrafts. Though still a new company, Space X has been making a big name for themselves in the space industry.

Want to walk on mars in the comfort in of your living room? Now you can.

Holograms in real life, the idea of the technology may have sounded far fetched, but now, Microsoft has an idea of a product called HoloLens. Be ready to use such technology to create 3D objects and interact with the digital world in the real world. Microsoft announced their HoloLens in January 21st. Being a tech person (it should be obvious if you look at my other blogs), this is what gets me really excited about the future in store for us. 


Being able to interact with digital objects was science fiction, holograms were only in science fiction movies is now a possibility. There are many existent footage of the product, real or not, they had done a live demo of the holo creator that allowed them to create a 3D object live. We may not get hover boards or flying cars with in the next year, but the HoloLens should be coming out in the time frame of Windows 10 which is set before the end of 2015.

All the new tech and ideas for the new year

                CES (Consumer Electronics Show), an event held once a year to introduce the ideas of independent inventors and big companies in general. From a new generation of ars to laptops; this event holds most of the companies grand products. Numerous companies rush in order create such a product such that no one could forget  until it is in stores. In example; MSI has created a laptop that is sure to boost the increase in laptop performance. Recently at CES announced their laptop powerful enough to replace a full sized desktop.

                Following the trends of smart cars the past 2 years, BMW has announced their brand new car, the BMW I3; a unique smart car with the feature to come to you.Reminding anyone of any car featured in a movie? That's right, the BMW 750iL from James Bond- Tomorrow Never Dies. In the video to the right, Chris Ziegler with the Verge, had a test drive of the vehicle here.
                Technology, advancing at in incredible rate, and CES is a way for companies such as these to give a taste of what is to come in the following year. Cars practically driving themselves. to being powered by oxygen and hydrogen to only leave water as waste. This is the seemingly future which we see ahead of us.

Is a new form of renewable energy going to be underwater waves?

The United Kingdom; known for it's unique weather and the Queen,

Illustration of  the Turbines underwater.
Source: CNN

may not be able to create large amounts of renewable energy from the sun or from a wind farm, but there may be a new for of renewable energy. However, being a collection of islands, it does have thousands of miles of coastline which contains tides going up to 18 mph. An upside to using water instead of air, with the increased density compared that of air, it requires less surface area to create a spin with the blade, it will require less space per wheel. Another useful benefit is the turbines are underwater, and would not block the beautiful view outside into the ocean. 

NASA making history once again

Earlier this morning, at 7:05 a.m. PST, at the Space Launch Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, Orion was launched into space. The project costed NASA $350 million this week alone. Upon reentry to Earth's atmosphere, the capsule was going at an incredible rate of 20,000 mph while experiencing temperatures over 2204º Celsius (4,000º Fahrenheit).
The test flight took 4 hours and 24 mins stated NASA. The capsule had landed off the coast of Baja California in the Pacific Ocean at 10:29 a.m. EST. Reaching heights over 3,604.2 miles, 15 times the height of the International Space Station at 268 miles in orbit. During it's flight, it had encircled the Earth twice
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