Common Digital Devices
There is no doubt that we live in a digital world. Although every single item we use is not yet digitized, we are gradually moving toward a world that contains more digital devices than ever before. Digital basically describes any type of system that is based on data or events. For instance, a computer is a digital machine because they are built on the binary system which can be taken to the basic level of just 0s and 1s. No matter how much data is processed by a computer, it will always be broken down into a series of ones and zeros. Humans actually experience the world in an analog form, which is the opposite of digital. In the way of an example, vision is an analog experience simply because the eyes can perceive smooth gradations of colors and shapes. But nearly any analog experience or event can be digitally simulated as long as you use the right electronic components and parts. Think about a newspaper or a photo which are viewed by the eye as though they are continuous but they are actually a series of dots laid out in arrays. Digital representations of analog events are very useful because they offer us a way to store and manipulate events and experiences electronically. There are many digital devices that are growing in popularity whether or not they are recognized as digital or not.
Smartphones
Perhaps one of the most popular digital devices today is the Smartphone. The way we see the world and communicate in it changed drastically when the Smartphone made its appearance. Not only did the world go more mobile we could begin to perform a wide variety of daily tasks using digital media. Most individuals today own a Smartphone through which they can search the web, post on social media sites, pay bills, find a restaurant, or deposit a check into their bank, all while still on the go.
Tablets
Smartphones are still a hot item when it comes to digital devices but they are getting some competition from the tablet. Some of the latest Smartphones to hit the market are basically small tablets which mean we can carry the world in our pocket. It’s difficult to imagine that this small housing contains simple but intricate electrical components all based on a binary system (ones and zeros); but we can use it to manage our world using a simple interface – the touch screen.
Television
Perhaps the television has been one of the slowest devices to make the transition from analog to digital, but it has finally arrived. There are several reasons why users choose digital television over analog. One of the main reasons for the choice is that the picture is much clearer since a digital signal is able to support higher resolutions. Broadcasters prefer digital over analog because it allows them to use one bandwidth for numerous signals. Multicasting means that they can use a single bandwidth to sent out different programs all at the same time. Most of the time consumers may just think about getting the best television set with the highest quality picture without even realizing it is digital.
E-Readers
E-readers offer users a digital book reading experience like no other. While some have been slower to make the transition to e-readers, many are falling in love with this new technology. Even college students prefer to download their books onto an e-reader for the sheer convenience of not having to carry a huge book bag with them to class. The books are typically cheaper than printed versions and each e-reader has its own set of features. This is one digital device which is continuing to develop and include a wide variety of new features. Users can now surf the web, answer email and even text using this mini tablet. The primary advantages to an e-reader over a tablet or computer is that it is lighter and usually much more compact. The battery usually lasts a lot longer between charges and it is very portable. E-readers are all different and not all e-books are available for every e-reader so it is important to select the specific digital device that will meet the reader’s basic needs.
Smartphones
Perhaps one of the most popular digital devices today is the Smartphone. The way we see the world and communicate in it changed drastically when the Smartphone made its appearance. Not only did the world go more mobile we could begin to perform a wide variety of daily tasks using digital media. Most individuals today own a Smartphone through which they can search the web, post on social media sites, pay bills, find a restaurant, or deposit a check into their bank, all while still on the go.
Tablets
Smartphones are still a hot item when it comes to digital devices but they are getting some competition from the tablet. Some of the latest Smartphones to hit the market are basically small tablets which mean we can carry the world in our pocket. It’s difficult to imagine that this small housing contains simple but intricate electrical components all based on a binary system (ones and zeros); but we can use it to manage our world using a simple interface – the touch screen.
Television
Perhaps the television has been one of the slowest devices to make the transition from analog to digital, but it has finally arrived. There are several reasons why users choose digital television over analog. One of the main reasons for the choice is that the picture is much clearer since a digital signal is able to support higher resolutions. Broadcasters prefer digital over analog because it allows them to use one bandwidth for numerous signals. Multicasting means that they can use a single bandwidth to sent out different programs all at the same time. Most of the time consumers may just think about getting the best television set with the highest quality picture without even realizing it is digital.
E-Readers
E-readers offer users a digital book reading experience like no other. While some have been slower to make the transition to e-readers, many are falling in love with this new technology. Even college students prefer to download their books onto an e-reader for the sheer convenience of not having to carry a huge book bag with them to class. The books are typically cheaper than printed versions and each e-reader has its own set of features. This is one digital device which is continuing to develop and include a wide variety of new features. Users can now surf the web, answer email and even text using this mini tablet. The primary advantages to an e-reader over a tablet or computer is that it is lighter and usually much more compact. The battery usually lasts a lot longer between charges and it is very portable. E-readers are all different and not all e-books are available for every e-reader so it is important to select the specific digital device that will meet the reader’s basic needs.