Communication Technology Update and Fundamentals

Communication Technology Update and Fundamentals, now in its 17th edition, has set the standard as the single best resource for students and professionals looking to brush up on how communication technologies have developed, grown, and converged, as well as what’s in store for the future.

The book covers the fundamentals of communication technology in five chapters that explain the communication technology ecosystem, its history, theories, structure, and regulations. Each chapter is written by experts who each provide a snapshot of an individual field. The book also dives into the latest developments in electronic mass media, computers, consumer electronics, networking, and telephony. Together, these updates provide a broad overview of these industries and examine the role communication technologies play in our everyday lives. In addition to substantial updates to each chapter, the 17th edition includes the first-ever chapter on Artificial Intelligence; updated user data in every chapter; an overview of industry structure, including recent and proposed mergers and acquisitions; and sidebars exploring sustainability and relevance of each technology to Gen Z.

Communication Technology Update and Fundamentals continues to be the industry-leading resource for both students and professionals seeking to understand how communication technologies have developed and where they are headed.

Dr. August E. ("Augie") Grant is J. Rion McKissick Professor of Journalism and Director of the Center for Teaching Excellence at the University of South Carolina. Grant is a technology futurist who specializes in research on new media technologies and consumer behavior. His teaching and research combine the study of traditional and emerging media, with emphases on media management, organizational structure, integrated communication, and consumer behavior. He’s been editor of Communication Technology Update and Fundamentals since 1992. His work in media convergence includes founding and serving for five years as Executive Editor of The Convergence Newsletter, chairing twelve national conferences on convergent journalism since 2002, and directing the Newsplex Summer Seminar program to train academics in convergent journalism.

Jennifer H. Meadows is Professor in the Department of Media Arts, Design, and Technology at California State University, Chico. Her teaching and research integrate practical and theoretical concerns related to television production, virtual reality, digital signage, the relationships between media and users, and changing media behavior in the new media marketplace. She has been working on the Communication Technology Update and Fundamentals since 1995 and has been co-editor since 1998.

Technology Futures, Inc. (TFI) provides top-quality custom studies and technology forecasts on key trends in communications, artificial intelligence, and other high-tech fields. Founded in 1978, TFI’s specialties include technology forecasting, valuation, innovation, and business leadership. TFI brings to the table a futures focus, in-depth experience, a wide range of proven forecasting and analytic methods, and an excellent track-record of making valuable forecasts over several decades. www.tfi.com.