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In the days of the first computers, transaction and
company data were the first types of information digitized. Then came text, opening
the world to word processing, followed by audio CDs and finally video. Having
all forms of information in the digital domain has given rise to numerous
convergence opportunities.
Interactive TV, long on promise, may still come to fruition some day as cable
TV, video on demand and the Internet converge on screen. The Internet not
only delivers tons of data and text, it has become a transport for radio,
music and images. In 2002, Microsoft introduced the Windows XP Media Center
Edition, which is a version of Windows that controls home entertainment
devices. Although there have been some attempts that have dwindled to nothing
for the most part, many still believe that the melding of entertainment and
computer technology is expected to take off.
Data and voice have converged. Billions have been spent by private
enterprises and telecom carriers to develop VoIP networks using the
Internet's IP protocol so that voice can travel over the same packet network
as data.
The DVD disc is another convergence example. As rewritable DVDs become
popular, they are expected to replace rewritable CDs and other removable
storage devices, providing a standard format for both home theater and
general computer storage.
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