In recent times both the CD and DVD are showing signs of becoming obsolete. Many computer systems now come with USB connectors only and no DVD or CD drive. The main method of transferring files between devices has become flash memory. Many people now store all their music in the following ways:
• on hard disk drive systems (set up as sound systems)
• in MP3 format on:
a computer/tablet
their mobile/smartphone
a portable music player (such as an iPod)
• using the 'cloud' to store all their files so they can access their music from anywhere in the world
• By 'streaming' their music from
It is a similar story for movies, where streaming is becoming increasingly common. Many television sets are now set up as "smart' televisions - this means it is now possible to simply stream movies or television programs on demand without the need for any DVD or Blu-ray players. In effect, the television set has become the central computer with a link to the internet using wireless connection.
Floppy disks met the same fate in the early twenty-first century. How often do you see floppy disks? It is very likely that CDs and DVDs will meet the same fate and be replaced by one of the systems described above or something entirely new.
