digital devices

1. Topic 1: Digital Devices
GCSE ICT Revision

2.  Personal digital devices include:
 Mobile phones
 Media Players (like MP3 players)
 Tablets (like iPads)
 Digital cameras
 Video cameras
 Games consoles
 Laptops
 Netbooks
 E-book readers
 Digital photo frames
Digital Devices

3.  People use digital devices in every aspect of their
daily lives. You need to be able to explain how the use
of personal digital devices affects everyday life.
 Digital devices allow people to communicate at any
time and wherever they are through:
 Text Messages (Short Message Service; SMS)
 Social networking sites
 Instant messaging
 Media Messaging Service (MMS; picture messages)
 Email
 Voice and video calls
Uses of Digital Devices

4.  You need to think about how people use digital
devices in their leisure time (streaming films, playing
games, taking photos etc.)
 You also need to think about how people’s work life
is enhanced using these devices (working from home
with laptops and internet connections etc.)
 Finally, consider how these devices help people when
they travel (using GPS to find locations etc.)
Uses of Digital Devices

5.  Think about what different audiences want from their
digital devices.
 Teenagers probably want to use social networking
sites so they will need an internet connection.
 Business people probably want to send and receive
emails, so they might want a QWERTY keyboard on
screen that is easy to use.
 An older person might want a large screen and an
easy-to-use interface.
Audience for digital devices

6.  When choosing any digital device (like a laptop),
people will have wants (it would be nice to have these
features) and needs (it MUST have these features).
 When choosing a laptop, someone might have the
following wants and needs:
Wants vs Needs
Wants... (would be nice to have) Needs... (must haves)
A widescreen, as big as possible
Something small that I can carry
easy
A really fast processor for games
Something that is not too
expensive

7.  When buying any new digital device (like a laptop,
mobile phone or tablet), people need to consider
different factors:
 Cost
 User interface (easy to use?)
 Security
 Connectivity (does it have Wi-Fi? Bluetooth?)
 Storage capacity/memory
 Convenience (size, weight)
 Compatibility with other devices (like printers)
 Speed of internet connection
 Purpose of the device
Factors to consider

8.  There is a processor in all digital devices, from
desktop computers to mobile phones.
 The processor controls all the functions of the device.
 The higher the processor, the faster the device will
operate.
 The size of the processor is measured in megabytes
(MB) or gigabytes (GB).
Common Features: Processor

9.  While the processor is working, it needs to store the
program instructions and data in its internal
memory.
 Different devices have different amounts of internal
memory which is measures in bytes.
 In addition to internal memory, digital devices contain
components that can store data.
 In a laptop, for example, data is stored on a hard disk
drive.
 Hard disk drives contain moving parts so do not often
feature in portable devices because they could get
damaged.
Common Features: Memory

10.  Flash memory is added memory/storage space to a
digital device.
 This could be:
 Secure Digital Card (SD card)
 Micro SD Card (for smaller devices; like phones)
 SDXC Card (Extended Capacity Card stores up to 2TB)
 USB Drive (or memory stick)
 SDHC (High capacity card – up to 32GB)
Common Features: Memory

11.  As you’ve just read, storage space and memory is
measured in bytes.
 1000 bytes = 1 Kilobyte (1KB) - like 1000 grams = 1KG!
 1000 kilobytes = 1 Megabyte (1MB)
 1000 megabytes = 1 Gigabyte (1GB)
 1000 gigabytes = 1 Terabyte (1TB)
Bytes

12. More memory – more storage!

13.  Which is bigger?
MB, GB, TB...
1MB
6MB
6GB
1TB

14.  Which is bigger?
MB, GB, TB...
32GB
32MB
3MB
5MB

15.  Which is bigger?
MB, GB, TB...
320GB
2TB
320MB
32GB

16.  Which is bigger?
MB, GB, TB...
32MB
16GB
16MB
250MB

17.  Peripherals are additional devices that can be added
to your personal digital device.
 So a peripheral is anything extra like headphones, that
does not form part of the device itself.
 The charger, though, is NOT a peripheral device!
 Peripherals can be grouped into three:
 Input devices
 Output devices
 Storage devices
Peripherals

18.  Input devices allow users to give instructions to the
device or input data.
 These include:
 Mouse
 Keyboard
 Controller
 Webcam
 Touch Screen
 Microphone
 Joystick
 Scanner
Peripherals: Input Devices

19.  Output devices allow users to see or hear information.
 These include:
 Speakers
 Docking station
 Headphones
 Printer
 Headset
 Screen
Storage peripherals were discussed on slide 10
Peripherals: Output Devices

20.  The most widely used personal digital device is the
mobile phone.
 Modern phones do much more than just allowing
users to make and receive calls.
 They’re now multifunctional devices because they
have additional features like:
 Internet browsing
 Entertainment (games, music, videos)
 Camera/Video camera
 GPS receiver
Mobile Phones

21.  Mobile phones and the data they contain must be kept safe.
 People should hide their phones when not in use to prevent
theft from cars etc.
 Set a PIN, password or biometric (finger print) lock to
unauthorised access.
 Restrict Bluetooth usage – “Bluejacking” is where people
nearby send anonymous messages via Bluetooth.
 Record the unique IMEI number – the mobile service
can block the phone using this number if it’s stolen.
Mobile Phones: Security

22.  Don’t use mobiles in quiet places (like libraries!)
 Don’t send inappropriate/bullying messages
 Don’t overuse (you could get repetitive strain injury –
RSI)
 Don’t take someone’s photo without permission
 Recycle old phones
 Don’t use mobiles whilst driving
 Don’t use whilst walking – there’s a risk of accident
Mobile Phones: Responsible Use

23.  You need to be able to describe how personal computers meet
the needs of a user or scenario based on functionality, weight
and cost.
 There are four types of personal computers you might need to
compare:
 Desktop Computers
 Laptops
 Netbooks
 Tablets
Personal Computers

24.  To compare personal computers, you need to
consider:
 Processor Speed – a quick processor means a fast
 RAM – more RAM (memory) will mean more applications
can run at once.
 Storage – higher capacity means more files can be stored.
 USB Ports – many peripherals use USB connections
 Battery Life – for portable devices, long battery life means
less frequent charging.
 Wi-Fi – allows wireless connections
 Sound/Graphics card
Personal Computers

25. Personal Computers Risks
Heath Risks Causes Possible Solutions
Eye
Strain
o Looking at screen for too
long
o Sunlight/artificial light shining
shining on monitor
o Take regular breaks away from the screen
o Adjust the screen
o Use an antiglare screen
Repetitive Strain
Injury (RSI)
o Performing repeated actions,
for example clicking the
mouse
o Use wrist rest to support your hands
o Take breaks from repeated actions
Neck/Back
Problems
o Sitting in the wrong position
o Sitting in the same position
for a long time
o Change height of the chair/screen
o Adjust the lumbar support
o Move the computer closer or further away
Pain in knees and
legs
o Sitting in the wrong position
o Sitting in the same position
for a long time
o Adjust the chair so your feet are flat on
the ground or use a foot rest.
o Take regular breaks to stretch your legs

26.  More modern cameras/camcorders allow users to:
 Zoom in using optical or digital zoom
 Take photos/record video and sound
 Download files to a computer using USB or Bluetooth
 View files on a TV using USB or HDMI ports
 Store files using SD and micro SD cards
 View images/videos on the built in LCD screen
Digital zoom just enlarges part of the image which can become
blurred but optical zoom moves the lens closer.
Cameras and Camcorders

27.  Some cameras/camcorders also have:
 GPS receiver – allows the place an image/video was taken
to be stored with the file
 Wi-Fi – this allows users to email pictures or upload them
directly to online photo galleries (on Flickr or Facebook, for
example)
Exam style question:
Alice is touring Europe for a year and wants to upload videos to
her blog for friends to watch at home. Suggest and explain two
features that would be useful to Alice.
(4 marks)
Cameras and Camcorders

28.  Media players are music/video players like iPods.
 The key features of them are:
 They are small, light and easy to carry
 They use solid state memory so they don’t skip when
playing songs
 They have a long battery life
 They hold a lot of media on inbuilt memory
 Playlists can be set
 They can lock to prevent accidental activation
 They have a simple interface
Media Players

29.  Common file types that Media Players support are:
 MP3 and WMA for Audio (sound)
 JPEG, GIF and PNG for images
 MPEG-4 and MWV for video
 Digital Rights management (DRM) means that some
files downloaded to media players cannot be copied or
transferred to others. This is to protect the copyright holder
of the material to prevent illegal copying.
Exam style question:
List two peripherals Emily could use with her personal
media player.
(2 marks)
Media Players

30.  Most users download audio and video files to store and
play on their media players.
 If the device has Wi-Fi connectivity, then the user can
stream media. The file is sent in compressed form over the
internet and displayed by the viewer in real time.
Downloading VS Streaming
Advantages of streaming video Disadvantages of streaming video
o Saves time – users do not have to
wait to download a full video.
o Uses less storage space.
o Cannot keep a copy for viewing
offline.
o Requires internet access.
o Buffering can interrupt playing.

31.  A video games console is a computer than enables games to
be played on television or through a digital projector.
 These are multifunctional devices. They also allow users to
browse the internet, watch videos, listen to music etc.
 There are whole range of peripheral devices available. These
include:
 Controllers (some are wireless)
 Headsets (some are wireless)
 Storage drives
 Webcams
 Speakers
 Microphones
 Motion Sensors (like Kinect)
Games Consoles

32.  There are risks involved in playing computer games on games
consoles:
Games Consoles Risks
Health Risk Causes Prevention
Overuse
o Pressing buttons can
lead to RSI
o Set sensible time limits
o Take frequent breaks
Obesity
o The amount of time
spent playing games and
obesity are linked.
o Set sensible time limits
o Do physical activity when not
playing games
Muscle and
problems
o Hours in the same
position impacts on
posture and spine
o Take regular breaks to walk
around and stretch
o Adjust furniture heights
Eye strain
o Eyes become fatigued
when focusing at the
same distance for a long
time.
o Adjust screen contrast and
brightness
o Take ‘gaze’ breaks.

33.  Sat Navs use GPS to plan routes and give directions.
 GPS stands for Global Positioning System.
 Drivers use Sat Navs to get directions but also to:
 Check their speed
 Warn about speed cameras
 Get live traffic reports
 Avoid congestion with rerouting
 Find conveniences such as petrol stations on route
 There are risks involved when using Sat Nav and driving.
Drivers must make sure the Sat Nav does not block their view
and that they do not take their eyes off the road when driving.
 Sat Navs do, however, help reduce accidents by speaking
directions to the driver and showing the road ahead.
Satellite Navigation

34.  Convergence is when a digital device takes on the
functions normally found on another device.
 GPS, for example, is now found on Smart Phones and sales
of Sat Navs are falling because of this.
 Advantages of using a Smartphone for this are that you
are more likely to be carrying your phone rather than the
Sat Nav and that phones are often smaller, lighter and
easier to carry around.
 Disadvantages of using a Smartphone for mapping and
directions is that it drains your battery quickly and your
phone will not always update fast enough which could
lead to missed instructions.
Convergence

35.  Digital devices are now used by businesses, schools,
hospitals and countless other organisations to
improve how they communicate and operate.
 You need to think about how these devices have
changed the way organisations operate.
 For example, it is now easy for businesses to create a
website using technology they own. Communication
is quicker with e-mail and mobile phones.
 Think about how, since getting iPads, your teachers
have improved how they use technology in their day-
to-day work.
Digital Devices in organisations

36. 1. List five different types of Personal Digital Devices.
2. A teenager is going to buy a mobile phone, list two features
he might want and two he might need.
3. List five different ways that people communicate using
Personal Digital Devices.
4. When buying a laptop, give six factors that someone would
consider before making their purchase.
5. Which is bigger... 32MB or 5GB?
6. Why is a hard disk drive not usually a feature of a portable
device?
TEST YOURSELF!!

37. 7. What does peripheral mean?
8. What three groups can peripheral devices be put into?
9. Give two input devices/peripherals.
10. Give two output devices/peripherals.
11. Give three ways people can keep their mobile phones, and
data on them, safe.
12. Give two pieces of safety advice when using a mobile phone.
13. Give two features of a personal computer someone might
consider before making their purchase.
14. Give three features of media players.
TEST YOURSELF!!