The 3D Revolution

                                         Image Courtesy of gossipboy.ca

 Ever since 2009, the latest entertainment phenomenon has been watching films in 3-D at the movie theater. Thanks to 3-D movies, the film industry has experience an enormous boost in profits; now, the gaming world and the wonderful world of television are both honing in on three- dimensional technology.

Of course, there are a few people who disagree with the concept of 3D movies, television and games; surprisingly, famous film critic Roger Ebert is one of them.  Recently, Evert received a letter from Walter Murch, an Academy-award winning editor and sound designer. In this letter, Murch discusses some of the issues with 3D television and film. According to Walter, 3D viewing requires the audience to “focus at one distance and converge at another. And 600 million years of evolution have never presented us with this problem before. All living things with eyes have always focused and converged at the same point” (Ebert). Moreover, our brains must work even harder to comprehend the 3D material. This is why several people receive headaches after viewing a 3D film for 20 minutes (Smith). Roger believes its absurd to pay more money for a film experience that causes nausea and headaches; perhaps he is not the only one with this opinion.

                                      Image Courtesy of smarthouse.com.au

Tecca.com writer Samuel Axon has decided to play Devil’s advocate and has provided us with the prose and cons of owning a three-dimensional television.

o   First, more companies plan to release 3-D films; in fact, Disney promises to release 15 films in 3-D Blu-Ray DVD format, including The Lion King and Tron: Legacy.

o   3D televisions will employ Active-Shutter, a technology utilized for the 3D experience. These TVs require expensive, wireless, electronic glasses that tamper with the vision of one of your eyes. In addition, the sharpness of the TV image is reduced to compensate for the expensive 3D glasses.

o   On the other hand, 3D video games are in development, and they will not require special 3D equipment or glasses.

o   In regards to television, 3D TV will be more expensive than both a standard TV and HD TV. Along with the TV, viewers will need to purchase a 3D Blu-Ray DVD player, a new satellite or cable TV box and a new home theater receive. Don’t forget the 3D glasses, which range from $100-200 a pair.

o   Currently, Sony is developing 3D video camcorders. This could lead to 3D films on video sharing website such as Youtube.

o   Eventually, scientist and technology specialist will develop 3D technology that will work without the 3D glasses. As a matter of fact, this is a current project scientist are pursuing. We may reach a glasses-free 3D viewing experience sooner than we realize (Axon).

Despite Roger’s concerns and Walter’s theories, several scientist and technology companies are preparing for the 3D revolution. Even so, the fate of 3D is in the hands of the viewer. Will the viewer wish to pay for the 3D experience at home? Only time will tell.

Works Cited

Axon, Samuel. “Should you Get a 3D TV?” tecca.com. Tecca. 14 Jan. 2011.

Ebert, Roger. “Why 3D Doesn’t Work and Never Will. Case Closed.”

      Roger Ebert’s Journal. Chicago Sun-Times. blog. 24 Jan. 2011.

Hatch, Laura. “How 3D Movies are Saving Box Office Sales.”

      Business Insider: The Wire. (10 Mar. 2010): n. pag. Web. 24 Jan. 2011.

Smith, Catharine. “Roger Ebert’s Proof 3D TV ‘Doesn’t Work With Our Brains.”

      The Huffington Post (24 Jan. 2011): n. pag. Web. 24 Jan. 2011.

AT&T ceases its reign as the sole provider for the iPhone

Picture Copyright-  Verizon

            That’s right, folks. Starting February 3^rd, existing Verizon customers may pre-order the iPhone 4 online only. What if you have another cell phone carrier? No worries; the Verizon iPhone 4 will be available at Apple and Verizon retail stores beginning February 10th.  If the customer chooses to either continue their two year Verizon contract or begin a two-year contract with Verizon, he will pay $199.99 for the 16GB iPhone 4 and $299.99 if he desire the 32 GB version. If a customer wishes to buy the iPhone 4 without a cell phone contract, he would pay $650 for the 16GB and $750 for the 32 GB. Now, users may choose for either the AT&T iPhone or the Verizon iPhone. Now, we must examine the why a consumer would wish to choose the Verizon iPhone over the AT&T iPhone.

            For the most part, I am content with my AT&T coverage on my current cell phone. Even so, I have a few pieces of criticism to mention about AT&T’s phone. First, reception is a hit and miss game; especially if you either live or work in an area with several hills. On a few occasions, incoming calls have transferred directly to voicemail. In addition, I have experienced several dropped calls in flat and hill-y areas. My friends with Verizon tend to brag that after 9pm and weekends, coverage is free. This is not the case with my AT&T coverage (especially long distance). Perhaps these are factors as to why an AT&T consumer would wish to switch to Verizon coverage.

            Now, let’s compare the AT&T iPhone 4 to the up-and-coming Verizon iPhone 4. Both iPhones will support the same applications; the same banners features and two cameras for video conferencing. While Verizon utilizes CDMA Technology (Code Division Multiple Access, a cellular technology which employs spread-spectrum technology), AT&T exploits GSM technology (Global System for Mobile Communication, the most common cell phone technology). As far as I know, there are only two downsides to CDMA technology: 1) a user would not be able to call and perform another function (such as checking e-mails) on the iPhone 4 and 2) your Verizon iPhone 4 would not work in much of Europe and South America (these are the main venues for international business travel). Also, the Verizon iPhone 4 utilizes a 3G network, not Verizon’s new 4G LTE network. On the other hand, the Verizon iPhone will include an antenna to prevent reception difficulties. Moreover, the Verizon iPhone 4 will allow you to connect to other wireless devices besides designated Wi-Fi hot spots. Currently, if a user is in a two- year contract with AT&T, AT&T will charge you $325 (basically, $10 a month over two years) to finish the current contract. Here’s a money saver for Verizon users: if a Verizon customer purchased a new Verizon phone between November 26^th, 2010 and January 10, 2011, he is eligible for a $200 Visa gift card if he purchases a Verizon iPhone before February 28th. 

Why would a consumer buy a Verizon iPhone 4 as apposed to an AT&T iPhone 4? The Verizon iPhone 4 will provide the customer with better reception and more wireless options. On the contrary, the consumer would not be to multitask on the Verizon iPhone and would not be able to make calls in Europe or South America. Also, the Verizon iPhone runs on a 3G network, not the 4G that AT&T offers. Even so, would an AT&T customer really wish to pay the $325 fee to break his contract and switch to Verizon? This $325 fee and reception problems seem to be the only two faults of AT&T coverage. In short, each customer has to compare options and choose the coverage that works best for his needs.