Smartphones for several recent years have become an indispensable device in our pockets. All smartphones, as the name suggests, have many more uses beyond simply sending text messages and making phone calls. They can be described as a multimedia device which enable journalists to produce content with just one machine, the thing they previously need many to do so. The advent of smartphones has made it possible for them to do part of their job with nothing more than a phone.
Live broadcasting is a complicated work which requires cameras, cables and satellite trucks among others. However, I was so surprised when my Broadcast Journalism tutor showed me a video showing how BBC reporter Nick Garnett uses iPhone to broadcast live. This is the first time I know about Luci Live software for smartphone broadcasting the reporter is using. That’s awesome. According to Nick Garnett, he now does 90 percent of his broadcasting on his iPhone with the support of Luci Live. It transforms iPhone or smartphone or into a mobile IP-codec, software IP-codec for PC/MAC or high quality mpeg-recorder. Reporters only need one device to go live, record audio, edit, add pictures or videos and send to the studio – wirelessly. The first rule of the game, as Garnett said, is “staying connect”. It means journalists have to make sure their connection works, otherwise, their live broadcasts will fail. This, I think, is a disadvantage of the software because not all every place in the world is connected with Internet. However, I also find it interesting to learn a new thing that I may try to apply in my job.
Luci Live software (Image source: http://www.luci.eu/?page_id=15)
The convergence of camera and cellphones, especially smartphones, makes it easier than ever for people to become photographers. And for journalists, including citizen journalists, it allows them to quickly share photos as news thanks to the availability of 3G, 4G or wireless service. Though the quality of photographs from cell phones, even smartphones, is still far behind what can be captured with professional photo cameras, there are some obvious advantages. By several simple actions, the journalists can send the photos to their news organisations, share them on their social networking sites. In the digital age where time is one of the factors of pressures on journalists, forcing them to break news in the earliest time to compete with their rivals. Thus a multifunctional smart phone seem to be a useful tool to support them in their work.
(Image source: http://www.baomoi.com/Chup-anh-dep-voi-dien-thoai/136/14082144.epi)
Last month, I read an article which showed tips and tricks to take creative photos by smartphone, from unique panorama uses to a clever way to easily take partially underwater photos. I will try someday to get lively pictures for myself and may be for the purpose of artistic photo images with a smartphone.
Furthermore, journalists can also use the smart phone for recording and filing audio scripts. Special applications, such as VeriCorder Audio Pro, facilitate journalists in the job. According to Neal Augenstein, a reporter at WTOP radio in Washington, D.C., who is using the programme, it records good quality audio, allows him to edit and move segments, including taking a sound bite and inserting it between his voiceovers, and then send the audio from his device to his newsroom. I found the programme very convenient thanks to its combined functions which helps the reporter produce a complete product. Those in the newsroom don’t have to spend much time on transcript or edit his/her piece of news.
Apple’s recent release of Iphone 6 and Iphone 6+ with many outstanding functions compared to the previous generation (Iphone5s), including 8MP rear camera in iPhone 6, has offerred Apple fans, including journalists more chances to create photo masterpieces, I believe. Together with Apple, other smartphone manufactures, like Samsung, Nokia, Sony have introduced various new smartphone models to the market, offering users a great number of choices.
The smartphone’s ever-present role as both a personal and professional device offers ample opportunity to practice. However, I don’t think smartphones in particular and mobile media in general can replace journalists. Smartphone in this case plays an important role to facilitate journalists in their job, bringing information to audience in the earliest time. Journalists still hold a key role./.
Bibilography
1. Snowden, C. (2012). “As It Happens: Mobile communications technology, journalism, and breaking news,” in N. Arceneaux & A. Kavoori (Eds), The Mobile Media Reader. New York: Peter Lang. P. 120-134.
2. Goggin, G. (2006). Cell Phone Culture: Mobile technology in everyday life. London: Routledge. Chapter 8, 143-161
Phuong Chi's Blog 