Electronics and Appliances

2. 20 Electronics and Appliances

3. Chapter Objectives • Explain convergence and its impact on consumer electronic products and services. • Define broadband and describe the pros and cons of several broadband delivery technologies. • Evaluate telecommunications service providers. • Compare similar electronic products and home appliances. continued

4. Chapter Objectives • Identify reliable sources of information about consumer electronic products and appliances. • Outline steps consumers can take to ensure online security and safety. • Compare energy efficiency ratings of different home appliances and electronics. • Describe some key causes of product obsolescence.

5. A Flood of New Products and Services • Average number of consumer electronic devices in American homes • 1.3 in 1975 • 25 in 2008 continued

6. A Flood of New Products and Services • Technological change will result in obsolescence of many of today’s products and services • Basic knowledge and careful planning can help you select those things you need and can afford • New products often priced high, then drop; you can save money by waiting continued

7. A Flood of New Products and Services • The many uses of a consumer electronic product: • communication • entertainment • education • information gathering continued

8. A Flood of New Products and Services • Home appliances are electricity or gas-powered devices continued

9. A Flood of New Products and Services • Telecommunication companies include Internet and telephone service providers • Much of the sound, pictures, and data are created by mass communication companies • includes newspapers, books, television and radio programming

10. Convergence • Convergence is combining several products into one • Example: the smart phone continued

11. Convergence • The distinction between goods and services is blurring as more products come bundled with services • Business that once only sold products now also sell services to go along with the products

12. The 1996 Telecommunications Act • Government regulation of telecom and mass communications used to restrict • types of services that different telecommunications industries could provide • number of mass communication outlets one company could own • The 1996 law relaxed regulations continued

13. The 1996 Telecommunications Act • Supporters believed the law would increase competition and lead to lower prices and better service for consumers • Critics say it led to the creation of a few large companies that dominate the telecom and mass communication industries

14. Pros and Cons of Converged Products • Ask yourself: • Is the device user-friendly? • Do I need all the functions? • Does the device require more energy to run? • Is the device more expensive to service?

15. Telecommunication Services • There are many ways of transmitting information • One company may use several different technologies • Your choices may be limited depending on where you live

16. Wired Carriers • Wired carriers transmit over networks of copper wires and cables • Wireless carriers transmit • over radio waves • by bouncing signals off orbiting satellites • Most companies combine wired and wireless

17. Dial-Up and DSL • The first Internet service providers used phone lines to transmit information continued

18. Dial-Up and DSL • Dial-up • uses a copper-wire phone line and a modem • is the cheapest and slowest Internet access • interferes with phone service • Digital subscriber line (DSL) • uses wires or cable and a modem • provides faster Internet access • does not interrupt phone service

19. Broadband • DSL is a type of Internet access called broadband, or high-speed Internet access • What constitutes high speed varies • The larger the bandwidth, the greater the amount of information that can be transmitted continued

20. Broadband • Types of transmissions that require large bandwidths include • streaming video and audio • interactive television • two-way communication services • The government and businesses are working to increase bandwidth and broadband speed in the U.S.

21. Cable and Satellite Program Distribution • Programming that is broadcast through the air and using satellites is routed through cable into customers’ homes

22. Fiber Optic Cables • Fiber optic cable carries data along glass strands at the speed of laser light beams continued

23. Fiber Optic Cables • Transmission speed is very fast, but it can be costly for U.S. consumers to get connected • Much of the U.S. copper wire network is being replaced with fiber optic cable

24. Direct Broadcast Satellite • Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) works by bouncing transmissions off orbiting satellites to satellite dishes on homes • Global Positioning Systems (GPS) also utilize these satellites • In remote and rural areas, this may be the only option

25. Wireless Carriers • Companies providing cell phone, pager, and beeper services • Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) and other technologies provide access to Internet broadband through many mobile devices

26. Questions for Service Providers • Are they local, regional, or national? • What services do they provide? continued

27. Questions for Service Providers • Investigate the company’s reputation and record for • customer service • technical support • reliable performance and connectivity • user-friendly software and instructions continued

28. Questions for Service Providers • How much will service cost—both initially and on a monthly basis? • Compare costs for different packages • Ask about fees and taxes • Must additional equipment and software be purchased? • Who pays for repairs?

29. Buying Consumer Electronics • Today’s cutting-edge products will soon be obsolete • Become informed before you buy

30. Computers • Before shopping, know • how much you can spend • what you need a computer to do • where you will use it • which peripheral devices you need • Read computer publications and manufacturer’s Web sites to learn about the latest developments

31. Desktop or Laptop • Desktops: cheaper and can be upgraded; you will need a monitor, keyboard, and mouse • Laptops and notebooks: portable, require little space to set up and store • Netbooks: portable, limited functions

32. Basic Features • The faster a computer can process data, the more it will probably cost • Speed is determined by the amount of random access memory (RAM) and the power of the computer’s microprocessor • RAM can usually be added at additional cost continued

33. Basic Features • Most people buy computers with the most processing power they can afford • Gamers and video editors often buy the fastest machines continued

34. Basic Features • Software are computer programs that tell the computer functions to perform • Operating systems control a computer’s basic functions: creating files, storing data, manipulating working memory • Software applications are programs that perform specific tasks

35. Choosing Other Features • Most computers include a modem, webcam, DVD burner, USB ports • You may need additional features such as • Wi-Fi or other technology to access the Internet • advanced graphics and sound

36. Cell Phones • Involves choosing a phone, service provider, and service plan • Many are converged products

37. Cell Phone Features • Text and multimedia messaging • E-mail and Web browsing • Instant messaging • Music, video, and podcast downloads • Camera • GPS navigation • Personal digital assistant continued

38. Cell Phone Features • Thousands of software applications, called apps, are available for download from the Internet • Apps allow you to customize electronic devices, including cell phones • Most apps can be downloaded for a fee

39. Prepaid Phones • Prepaid phones can be money savers, although cost per minute is usually higher continued

40. Prepaid Phones • Advantages: • Minutes are purchased before they are used, making costs easier to control • No contracts to sign • Service can be ended at any time • No credit check required

41. Phone Billing Problems • It pays to read your bills carefully because errors are common • Check bills for fraud such as • cramming or unauthorized charges • slamming or unauthorized switch in service

42. Personal Media Players • First personal media players played audio music files; other functions were added • When shopping, consider features and • memory • compatibility • style, size, and ease of use • accessories

43. Personal Digital Assistants • When buying, ask: • Is the PDA compatible with your computer? • Can you use the keyboard comfortably?

44. Televisions • Pictures are sharper since • digital broadcasts became standard • high-definition TVs (HDTV) became popular • Expanded capabilities include: Internet access, game playing, streaming video

45. Protecting Against Online Threats • Online security is a serious problem for government, businesses, and individuals • Number of cybercrimes committed is growing rapidly continued

46. Protecting Against Online Threats • Types of online attacks include • viruses • worms • spyware infections • phishing and smishing • spam • Trojan horses • cyberbullying, cyberstalking, predators

47. What You Can Do • Set up defenses: • anti-virus software • spam filter • firewall • adequate passwords • backup files • up-to-date software

48. Safeguard Personal Information • Don’t disclose personal information including • your name, birth date, address, phone number, Social Security number • your parents’ names • photos of you, your family, friends • workplace or school names • account numbers and passwords continued

49. Safeguard Personal Information • Check that a Web site store is secure and legitimate before you shop • Don’t open e-mail from unknown senders • Report suspicious requests for sensitive financial information and cybercrimes to authorities

50. Wi-Fi Security Issues • Wireless networks pose additional security risks continued