Analysis Assignments

Find an example of remediation that fits the description Bolter and Grusin provide. Briefly describe what it is, what it remediates and where you found it. How does the remediation affect you conception of the original? Is the ‘original’ really original or is it also a remediation? What do you think was the goal of the people or person doing the remediation? What makes you suspect this? Do you think they achieved their goal? Are there ways it could be more effective?

For my analysis of remediation I decided to discuss Apple’s iOS software and iOS product line. Since the introduction of the original iPhone in 2007, this specific piece of hardware has seen multiple changes to their user-friendly software. When Apple introduced the iPhone 3G, that also brought along the Apple App Store, which revolutionized the smart phone industry. The App (or Application) Store has given the iPhone a “open” interface, in which anyone in theroy can create an app that can run on an iPhone. Again this year Apple revolutionized the App store business by changing the software name from iPhone OS to iOS. Also, Apple now has multiple devices running the iOS software, which includes the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad.

The reason why I chose this form of remediation is because it includes hypermediacy. “Hypermedia refers to a logical extension of the term hypertext, in which graphics, audio, video, plain text and hyperlinks intertwine to create a generally non-linear medium of information” (Wikipedia 2007). Hypermediacy is used within the iOS software and hardware line because the applications use a variety of links, audio, video, plain text, images, and more to develop a strong user experience with the app. For example, The New York Times application is made up of different articles from the NYT, videos, and even live radio. The app store is now supported on multiple devices, which includes Google’s Android App Store and Blackberry’s App World. It has been suggested that “apps” are the future, as the internet was over 20 years ago. It is interesting to see how apps will develop and influence society over the next few years. I believe with a more “open” interface for the iPhone, the better the apps can be. Apple has locked their app store, and requires processing of the app before introduction to the store. Google’s app store is open and allow any app to be sold. I believe that this is the future of the app store, and I think that a “closed” store hurts Apple.