Skype

Long distance is no longer a problem, Skype has changed the way we communicate with people. No matter if we are in India or Italy we can communicate by seeing each other's faces and hearing the other's voice, it is very reassuring to put a voice with a face while talking. Not only is this a form of communication but it is also a form of entertainment. Skype is fun no matter what anyone says and as long as I'm online I will be sure to check my Skype and see if there is anyone I want to talk to. I recently got my phone stolen and my only form of communication was email, my dad and I both downloaded Skype and then we could see each other and talk to each other, it was even better than my phone.

Pandora

Pandora is an online radio that has become a bigger trend than we can ever imagine. To use it is simple, you first create an account and then create your own "radio station". You can pick anything from a song, to a movie soundtrack, to an individual artist. The greatest part of Pandora is that whatever mood we are in, there is a station for it. When I am studying and have a hard time focusing I listen to the Claude Debussy radio, when I'm feeling mellow i switch to the John Mayer radio, and when I just want to go a little crazy i listen to "Down" by Chris Brown radio. There is something for everyone, and these internet radios could eventually take over all of the downloading companies we use, such as itunes or Limewire. Another great factor is that Pandora can be downloaded as an application on to iphone's and blackberries (really any smart phone) and instead of listening to the music that is from your own playlist, you can have a new mix that is customized just how you like it.

IMAX and 3D Movies

A few summers ago when the latest "Harry Potter" movie came out I saw it in IMAX and 3D. It was a really cool experience, especially because of the part that was in 3D. A little figure came on in the corner and it was a symbol for us to put on our 3D glasses. The scene was of Harry Potter surrounded by orbs and shattered glass and it came out at us not like a show one would see at Disney but just a little more lifelike. It made an impression on everyone and I think the majority thought it was a very cool and unique aspect of the movie.
The thing about the Harry Potter movie, though, is that it only lasted for a small segment. I recently just went to see the movie "Avatar" and the ENTIRE film, including the previews, was in 3D. It is almost as if an entire market of 3D movies is bringing brought to theaters for our entertainment. The newest 3D and IMAX release is "Alice in Wonderland" which I am sure was made just for 3D. We have had such breakthroughs in the film industry, it is possible that all movies will begin to play in 3D, which is quite cool. Who knows what could happen next with film entertainment?

The Wii

I didn't catch on to the Wii frenzy until about a year ago. My younger brother wasn't that interested, and I usually don't pick up on the latest gamer trends until he does. However, our neighbor got one for christmas and he would not leave his house. I was even a little bit obsessed with the basic Wii Sports. My brother finally decided he HAD to have one and after an endless and futile search, he ended up convincing one of his friends to sell his to him. I felt like it had gotten to the point where he would pay any amount of money just to have this little game. But, it really isn't just a game, it is a game of the future. Not only can we "act out" any sport, exercise with "Wii fit" or race cars with an actual steering wheel, it also has educational games that companies such as Jump Start has created.

The IPhone

The IPhone, in my opinion, is the most revolutionary piece of technology that has ever been created. Everyone pretty much already knows just what this smart phone can do just by seeing the commercials on TV. But, it is not only a computer that can turn your lights off if you have forgotten, or a phone that you can browse the Internet on while you are talking to your parents, it is entertainment at its finest. Here is an example, during one of my 1 hour and 15 min classes at school, I could check my Facebook, record my voice, my professors voice, or my friends voices, watch a movie or TV show, listen to music, play scrabble or doodle jump (or any of the other millions of games on the app store), and text my best friends. And we wonder where these bad grades come from. The IPhone has unlimited possibilities with it's features and truly provide us with something to do every second of every day.

The most exciting aspect of entertainment on the IPhone is the ability to communicate. A new trend with IPhone gaming is called Words With Friends. It is essentially a Scrabble game, but can be played with anyone who as an IPhone, anywhere, at any time. There is also a chat feature on the game to talk to your opponent while playing. My roommate has a friend from Holland and skypes with him constantly, however, that was her only form of communication with him and she could only talk to him at certain times. But, that was until they both realized they had IPhone and could play Words With Friends. So, not only is this game a form of entertainment from the IPhone but a way to communicate with someone half-way across the world, without worrying about international phone charges. Entertainment from the IPhone is as revolutionary as the phone itself, and who knows where it will bring us in the future.