[Letters] Software convergence is the key

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[Letters] Software convergence is the key

Published: 17 Nov. 2011, 20:12

Lately, convergence has become the hottest topic in discussion. It has emerged as a keyword throughout Korean society, from the convergence of technologies to the convergence of industries, services and academic fields. Investments made in convergence will be the driving force to create profitable industries in the future.

As convergence also enjoys international attention, the trend is to shift the core from hardware to soft power. Not so long ago, Google acquired Motorola Mobility, and HP sold off its PC business. The deals illustrate the power shift of the convergence industry from hardware to soft power, and from products to services.

In spite of the trend of the shift to soft power, the convergence in Korea still emphasizes technical convergence in hardware, neglecting the important soft elements. As the iPad and Avatar are not technological revolutions but content revolutions, the discussion of convergence should be concentrated more on software issues. The government, industry and academia are called on to shift perception and come up with more creative convergence technologies for the future.

Shin Dong-hee, a professor of interaction science at Sungkyunkwan University