One of the biggest, yet smallish, trends in the last two years has been the introduction of the "e-reader." A generally single purpose device with the goal of digitizing static media, i.e. books. They use sophisticated technologies to provide a paper-like surface to read from through the use of e-inks and other alternatives. Along with a more natural reading media than traditional monitors, these handful of techs have also increased the battery life of these devices. But, generally these devices provide only one service; delivering books to your eyes. What's the longevity of a single purpose device these days? The iPod provides an example.
In a world where the iPod, previously a single-function device, has turned into the iTouch and iPhone, do single-function gadgets serve a purpose? Apple has sold untold millions of iPods and yet have turned away from it's single-function beginnings. The devices that have evolved from it not only play music, but make calls, play 3D games, social network, and web browse among a multitude of other activities. Would Apple change a product that has sold literally millions if they didn't have a good reason?
Another recent gadget is a family of devices known as the "Peek." TwitterPeek, the first of these devices, only serves to send out your daily activities through Twitter, nothing else. It was absolutely blasted on technology blogs for being backwards and terribly uneconomical. The TwitterPeek comes with two payment options. A 6 month service option with the device which puts the price at $100, or a lifetime service plan which gives you a lifetime of tweeting. While the lifetime service plan is enticing, how long does a gadget really last you? Three, maybe four years? With the ability of literally any basic cellular phone (w/ text messaging) able to tweet, whats the point? You could spend, at minimum, $100 on a device that will last you six months, or you could simply use what has also turned into a multifunction device, a phone.
With this convergence of electronic abilities we come back to the e-reader, well, in a way. Apple is rumored to be unleashing a delicious miracle (Penny-Arcade) of a device in just three days. Those rumors include a 10.1" touchscreen, e-books, media streaming, and 3G internet. Basically, it blows up the multi-functionality already established by the iPhone into a more hefty shell. In some cases it might replace a person's books, laptop, and media device. Why would anyone buy an e-reader when there is a device out there that can do an overwhelmingly amount more? You might cite the advantages of battery life and eye comfort, but technology will be available in the immediate future in the form of color e-books, and hybrid screens (Gizmodo).
So, my take? E-books have a bright future in the form of other devices. "Peeks" will never catch on. Ultimately we will see more convergence in gadgets. Even huge industries such as PCs have been taking a hit, and I'd wager that multi-purpose gadgets are a big reason.
Sources and attributions:
Gizmodo
TwitterPeek
Penny Arcade.
Accreditation done with links throughout.
2 comments:
I'd question this a little bit. The main force holding all-in-one gadgets back is older people who can't adjust to the newest "iPhone" in 30 seconds like their kids.
My main example is my mom, who I believe recently learned to use 1-touch speed dial on her cell, which she has only had for 2+ years now. It was a push just to get her to update from an old cell phone with a 2-line calculator-like LCD screen.
Not that old folks can't upgrade and like it. Talking to my grandpa recently, he also was looking for a "basic" phone with his recent upgrade. He ended up being sold on an iPhone. While it's a lot more complex, he now says he wouldn't give it up for anything less.
Anyhow, convergence is fine with me, just don't tell my family (my Dad has decreed he will never own a cell phone btw). Interesting post though.
Well, that's just one extreme. My dad on the otherhand had to have an iPhone, even though he didn't know half the stuff it could do. Now he uses it for the GPS, his own Frank Sinatra Pandora station, and has recently taken up texting because of how easy the phone made it for him. There's always going to be some people on either end of the spectrum.
As the research at our own ISU concluded, it is all part of the diffusion of innovation. More in depth, people can be broken up into different segments, laggards, early adopters, and so on. There are always going to be people in the laggard group, like your mom, that wont upgrade until they simply stop making the older style. But, that group, are almost always a small percentage of the total population.
To conclude, I would say that smartphones are still on the upward swing of the diffusion of innovation in the early adopter phase worldwide. So, as of right now there won't be a saturation of devices like these for another few years.
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