CCT+300+Lab+2

= **Lab 2** = //Why is the definition of genre controversial and not so applicable to the formation of digital genres?// //You may use the iPhone as a case.//

//Article:// //Shiels, M 2008, 'Obama uses iPhone to win support', BBC News, 3 October, viewed 16 June 2009.URL: []//

Genre is defined as " a class or category of artistic endeavor having a particular form, content, technique" (dictionary.com). For example in media, there are different genres of text, audio and video. Text media can connect with the audience in terms of words, sayings and phrases that are in written or typed form, audio connects with the audience in terms of hearing and video connects with the audience in terms of visualization.

However in our modern digital society this definition is controversial and not so applicable to the formation of digital genres. This is due to the fact that digital convergence is occurring in our society with the invention of new digital devices. One device can now show more than one type of digital genre. One example is the iPhone. It has its text, audio and video capabilities. Therefore new technologies such as the iPhone, cannot be categorized into only one genre due to its complexity.

In terms of this article, Obama has recently shown the capabilities of this new digital convergence device to show that one application on an iPhone can reach out to a large audience through different digital genres with a single device. This application is able to show "up-to-date news from the campaign, plus video, photos and talking points to help convince friends to vote for the candidate” (BBC News).

Obama's campaign has made use of new technologies such as YouTube, Facebook and other social networking sites as well and has proven its successes in the convergence of many different digital genres as it connects with voters in many different levels of media: in text, audio and video.