Internet+Appliances

media type="file" key="Internet Appliances.mp3" [|Internet Appliances.mp3] INTERNET APPLIANCES

Internet appliances (also known as web appliances) are devices that provide access to the Internet. An Internet appliance is not a computer and usually does not have a hard drive to store data. Many of these devices are designed to provide convenient access to organization and communication tools such as web browsing, calendars, address books, and e-mail, but they may have other purposes. They sometimes require a physical connection to the Internet, either by connecting to your personal computer or to a connection device (e.g., analog modem, cable modem, ADSL Line), but they often have a built-in modem of their own. As wireless technology develops, many of these devices will be able to work without cables.

Some examples of Internet appliances are:

● Internet Tablet-a wireless touch-screen appliance designed for web browsing, e-mail, Internet radio, and multimedia viewing

● Internet Phones - designed to take advantage of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology

● web TV-designed for use with a web-TV box attached to a TV set and a suitable Internet connection; users may browse the Internet, use e-mail, and watch television

The selection of devices that can be connected to the Internet both directly through a computer and via wireless access is growing rapidly. Some of the more unconventional devices include refrigerators, pop machines, and microwaves. Just imagine your refrigerator connected to the Internet. As you use products, you can add to a shopping list that is then transmitted to an Internet shopping site. The next thing you know, you receive a delivery of exactly the groceries that you use and need! So much for the old shopping list. As business communities find new ways to advertise and sell products over the Internet, they will also find and develop new ways to communicate not only with users, but with objects in their homes, too!

Questions

1. Check out some of these internet appliances online and describe the following

a) all of the communication tasks it can accomplish that are similar to those done by a desktop computer b) communication tasks that are different from those done with a desktop computer c)important tasks that it cannot accomplish d)any accessibility features or issues it may have Also comment on the way in which it is used and whether you would feel comfortable using it on a regular basis. Use word-processing software to write a report on this device. Create subheadings for each of the topics you were asked to report on. Where possible, include a digital picture of the device in your report.

2. Explore the Internet for information about Internet appliances or any interesting Internet-connected devices. Using Dragon, write a short paragraph describing the following:

● one of the devices ● its purpose ● who is likely to use it ● its usefulness ● what you think about it

If possible, include a digital picture with your paragraph