Monday 29 September 2014

New and Digital Media Test Result

What went well: Attempt at bringing in independent ideas/thinking.

Even Better If: Not much detail from the powerpoint/lessons - lacks reference to theory etc.

News and Digital Media Stories Summary

Weekly New and Digital Media Stories

They used to say 'print or digital'. But do we need to choose?

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/sep/28/print-or-digital-why-choose-financial-times

This article is about how before everyone used to refer tot he newspaper and physical reading items, now however turn to digital options, ie phones, ipads, laptop and etc. It also discusses how the newspaper is going to be least part of the future.

- It is where the Times in Britain finds itself at the moment, with print sales in the UK marginally up year-on-year, full-price sales a few thousand ahead as well – and 390,000 paying "members" claimed on its homepage.
- 180 million unique browsers a month for the Mail.)

I find this article very interesting as it relates to everyday life and is 100% true as only a minority of people do turn to newspapers.

EE agrees to buy 58 Phones 4U stores for £2.5m

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/11112890/EE-agrees-to-buy-58-Phones-4U-stores-for-2.5m.html

This article is specifically about how the mobile operators 'EE' have agreed to buy a total of 58 Phones 4 U stores after the retailer went into administration last week.

- Mobile operator EE has agreed to buy 58 stores from Phones 4U for £2.5 million

- The news follows Vodafone's announcement on Friday that it has agreed to acquire 140 phone 4 U stores and re-employ their 887 staff.

- It went under with £110m in cash and £89m in stock. It owed £125m via a revolving credit facility and £430m to senior bondholders, who are considering their legal options. Debt holders who bought £205m in unsecured Phones 4U bonds have been wiped out.

Weekly New and Digital Media Stories

Apple will not shut down Dr Dre’s Beats Music but could fold it into iTunes

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/sep/23/apple-dr-dre-beats-music-iTunes

This article is about how it was thought that Dre Beats Music was going to be closed down, and about how apple denied this however did not speak about the possible branding which could of occurred of the company

- Beats Music has had a slow uptake of just 111,000 registered accounts in May, and an estimated 250,000 users through the combination of family accounts.

This article is quite an interesting one as it shows how media institutions can be so powerful. This shows the readers how much bigger and better a company is becoming.

A BENDY iPhone 6, you say? Pah, warp claims are bent out of shape: Consumer Reports

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/09/28/consumer_reports_bendgate_apple_iphone_6_plus/

This article is specifically about how the new iPhone sixes have been said to bend very quickly. The article also outlines tests that had been undertaken in order to see how weak the phones actually were. Coming to a conclusion that the iPhone needed at least 90 pounds to be on top of it in order to begin to deform.

- It ran the same three-point flexural tests on comparable smartphones and found that the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus were not as feeble as had been suggested in The Great Bendgate Controversy Of 2014.

This article is interesting as it proves to those who did not believe about the bending iPhone, that in comparison to other phones, the new iPhone sixes are not as amazing as they are made out to be. This then makes sure that the readers think twice before purchasing.

Monday 22 September 2014

Essay Plan

Certain extent audiences are empowered

– Million Access the internet

- Allows audience to decide their own opinions by looking at different details.

- EG madeleine case/ Malaysian Airways Lost

- Parents Fault/Aliens Abducted /Landed in the middle of Australia

As a result audiences globally can access more texts

- Web 2.0 allows audiences to become producers of texts

- Promoting own views and values (Media Mcguffin)

- Supporting pluralism – society groups – no strong element

- Audience is challenged to get truth out of circumstances not usual done

Media organisation is seen as enjoying important degree of playing in this part.
It is all through media what is shown.

Mcquail stated relationship is generally manipulating the media in an infinite variety of ways according to their prior needs & dispositions.

- Shows how audiences are empowered by the capability to challenge organisations and get truth out, where it wouldn’t be public. Ie Justice for Julia – User Generated Content #justiceforjuliA Instagram/Twitter/Facebook

Thursday 18 September 2014

Weekly New and Digital Media Stories

Apple reveals 4m pre-orders for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus in first 24 hours

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/sep/15/apple-iphone-6-plus-pre-orders

The purpose of this article is to allow the readers to know that the iPhone 6/6 pluses that have been pre-ordered will not be recieved until October as they have been so popular, that over 4 million were ordered in the first day.

- Some analysts reckon that in the Christmas quarter, from October to the end of December, Apple could sell 60m iPhones, compared with 51m the year before.

- China is Apple’s largest market, ahead of the US, and demand for the larger iPhone 6 Plus is expected to be high.

In my opinion this article is quite interesting, as it not only allows the readers to know about when their orders will arrive, however also allows the readers to know how popular the phone is and makes them want to buy them as well, knowing that such a large amount of people have purchased it.

YouTube stars and shows may be heading to your Facebook news feed

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/sep/15/youtube-stars-facebook-news-feed

This article discusses about the way in which Facebook are trying every way in order to negotiate and deal with Youtube to allow them to become part of the online video distribution network. It is also written how facebook are working on ways in order to gain more money to beat Youtube.

- The top 100 YouTube channels generated 9.46bn video views in July 2014

- Facebook made $2.68bn from advertising, up 67% year-on-year.

- YouTube’s advertising revenues will rise from $5.9bn in 2014 to $8.9bn in 2016.

In my opinion this article is quite interesting as it gives readers a something different to find out about these social networks. And shows how there is a struggle sometimes even with those behind the screens.

Google takes down newspaper's positive story about an artist

http://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2014/sep/11/right-to-be-forgotten-local-newspapers

A Google search removal request displayed on the screen of a smart phone

This article is mainly about the way in which an artist had specifically asked Google to censor an article about himself which was positive. This was because whatever was stated, he felt would damage his reputation. This was one of the most weirdest and abnormal examples of censorship, for one to get rid of something positive.

In my opinion I believe that this article is quite interesting and different to most other news stories, as normally one would want something to be censored which could potentially be held against them, however in this case, one wants something which is positive about them to be censored.

Thursday 11 September 2014

Weekly New and Digital Media Stories

Channel 4 to replace 4oD with new online hub All 4

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/sep/11/channel-4-replace-4od-new-online-hub-streaming-tablets-smartphones

This article is specifically about how Channel Four are re-branding their online hub and the fact that it is going to change from 4oD to All4. The reason behind wanting to do this is because of a bid in order to allow their viewers to watch all their television programmes/series/movies on digital devices.

- As part of the digital transition, 4oD – the brand launched by Channel 4 in 2006 as the first home of its on-demand, catch-up TV service – will be scrapped.

- Channel 4 claims to have signed up 50% of all 16- to 34-year-olds in the UK to Channel4.com.

In my opinion, being someone who watches channel four, this does interest me as it allows me to know of the new changes occurring, and also makes me aware of what to keep an eye out for. It also appeals to me, as the media institution appears to be doing something beneficial for its viewers who are not able to spare time to watch television at home and is allowing them to watch it at their own convenience, ie on the bus.

Microsoft 'in talks to buy Minecraft creator for $2bn'

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/digital-media/11086117/Microsoft-in-talks-to-buy-Minecraft-creator-for-2bn.html

This article explains into depth about how Microsoft is going to be negotiating about purchasing Minecraft for over $2bn as rumours have spread that they are. A little bit of background information about the concept of the game and regarding the creator of the game has also been given.

- The game earned Sweden's Mojang more than $100m in profits last year

- Microsoft is in talks to buy the Swedish company behind the hit video game Minecraft for more than $2bn (£1.2bn),

- The Japanese company revealed last month that it has sold 10m PS4s glo
bally, while Microsoft said in April that it had sold 5m units of its Xbox One console worldwide.

In my opinion, having no interest in this game, this article about Microsoft negotiating about purchasing it, does not appeal to me at all. Also having a very minimal amount of information, does not explain a lot.

Twitter is this 'Operating System of News'

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/sep/07/twitter-operating-system-news-katie-jacobs-stanton

This article focuses on the way in which twitter is used as an alternative to reading/watching the news. It focuses on how it is becoming bigger by the day and the way in which more and more people are beginning to use it, developing into more of a platform which users use in order to distribute and spread information.

- Monthly active users up by 24% to 271million

- Revenue growing by 124% to $312million

Looking at this article, in my opinion I think that it is quite interesting as a lot has been written about how twitter has grown and is continuing to grow as a company. The vice president of global media has also stated that many conflicts and debates break through twitter, and a lot of news is spread as well as this application allows one to speak as they wish and get there point across to millions of people.