converged device

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converged device

by himu » Mon Oct 29, 2012 9:15 pm
So-called converged devices, the ever-popular handheld fusions of cell phone, camera, calendar, and MP3 player, illustrate the power of marketing over sensible logic in purchasing decisions. These devices cost several hundred dollars and offer no new functionality over the devices they replace, instead simply repackaging multiple capabilities into one expensive, fashionable, and well-marketed device.

The argument above would be most dramatically weakened if which of the following were true?

The marketing of new converged devices often targets young professionals who seek to display their status with new technological devices.

The functions of a $400 converged device could be replicated with a $50 media player, a $100 camera-phone, and a $20 pocket calendar.

The appearance of the true converged device required breakthroughs in telecommunications infrastructure that were only recently possible.

For many people purchasing a converged device, the cost of the device is a fraction of the monthly fees associated with its use.

User surveys indicate that users of converged devices often travel a great deal and find that a single device that replaces several devices is easier to pack and less likely to be lost.
Source: — Critical Reasoning |

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by anuprajan5 » Mon Oct 29, 2012 9:51 pm
The answer is E as that is the only option that offers an additional functionality of a converged device.
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by himu » Mon Oct 29, 2012 10:35 pm
HI Anup,

U r right !

but why not D? doesnt the cost factor affect the decision ?

Pls let me know ?
Thanks in adv !

N all the best for your EXAM !!!

Cheers,
~Himu.

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by anuprajan5 » Mon Oct 29, 2012 11:13 pm
Himu,

Well - the critical factor in this option is the cost of the coverged device. If the statement mentioned that the cost of a device (any device) is a fraction of usage costs, then it puts converged devices at the same level of that of a regular device in terms of usage costs..

But apart from all of this, the conclusion is that "These devices cost several hundred dollars and offer no new functionality over the devices they replace"

Option E offers new functionality and weakens the concept that there is no additional functionality of a converged device.
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by serendipiteez » Thu May 09, 2013 9:30 pm
In this argument:

Is the author comparing converged devices to previous converged devices?

OR

Is the author comparing converged devices TO other devices collectively, such as phones, cameras, etc?

This is an important distinction because I picked Answer A thinking it was comparing to previous converged devices.

Which part of the argument offers this clarity.