UPGRADIA The digital culture of constant upgrade and iteration comes to the world of physical objects trendwatching.com FEBRUARY 2014 TREND BRIEFING www.trendwatching.com/trends/upgradia
Sep 13, 2014
UPGRADIAThe digital culture of constant upgrade and iteration comes to the world of physical objects
trendwatching.com FEBRUARY 2014 TREnd BRiEFing
www.trendwatching.com/trends/upgradia
This is jusT a summary. read The FuLL Trend brieFing (For Free!) www.trendwatching.com/trends/upgradia
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uPgradia deFiniTion: Driven by consumers’ thirst for quicker, more seamless access to the new (in ways that are cheaper, more sustainable and more participatory) and facilitated by emerging technologies, the constant stream of upgrades and iterations typical of the digital ecosystem is coming to the world of physical objects.
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1. inFiniTe neWism
2. more For Less
3. haCKer ChiC
An ‘upgrade’ mindset meets new technologies
Less money, less guilt
The status and excitement of DIY upgrades
DRIVING THIS TREND:
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inFiniTe neWismAn ‘upgrade’ mindset meets new technologies
1
In the digital space, endless consumer desire for
the new is served by a never-ending stream of
updates. Now, this digitally-inspired expectation of
perpetual update and improvement is shifting into
the physical world.
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Every Object Connected
Relentless Product Evolution
The emerging Internet of Things is both
fueling the expectation shift outlined
above, and facilitating the arrival of
‘digital’-style constant iteration in the
realm of physical objects.
New, more democratic manufacturing
technologies and distribution platforms
– such as 3D printing and crowdfunding
– are also facilitating the constant
upgrade and evolution of products.
1. inFiniTe neWism
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in 2009, there were 2.5 billion connected devices, most of these were personal devices such as cell phones and PCs. in 2020, there will be up to 30 billion connected devices, most of which will be products.- Gartner, October 2013
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3 million funders pledged USd 480 million on crowdfunding site Kickstarter in 2013.- Kickstarter, January 2014
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more For LessLess money, less guilt
2
Upgrades serve two deep consumer desires:
the desire for great value, and that for a more
responsible, sustainable form of consumerism.
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More For Less Money More For Less Guilt
2. more For Less
The thrill of getting a whole ‘new’ product for
a fraction of the cost is helping to drive the
UPGRADIA trend. And unlike access-based
consumption models, UPGRADIA promises
the joy of endless ‘new’ products and the
autonomy of outright ownership.
Many consumers feel guilt over the impacts
of their consumption on the planet, society
and self. UPGRADIA innovations deliver the
new while incurring fewer of the negative
impacts associated with the ‘discard/buy new’
consumption model.
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haCKer ChiCThe status and excitement of diY upgrades
3
Of course, only a minority of consumers want to
open, improve, reshape and/or hack products. But
the online space and 3D printing will make it easy
for these makers to push their upgrades to peers
who just want easy, seamless solutions.
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eXamPLes: Every Object UpgradedThe impulse towards UPGRADIA can be applied
to any object, to make it more efficient, add entirely
new functionality, improve design, and more.
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Copenhagen Wheel Wheel turns any pedal bike into hybrid ebike
Every Object Upgraded
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The Floyd Leg Add-on turns any flat surface into table
Every Object Upgraded
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Pour mason Add-on turns Mason jar into coffee maker
Every Object Upgraded
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renault Kangoo Camper: TravelPack Modular kitchen unit converts vehicle into camper van
Every Object Upgraded
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eXamPLes: Every Object ConnectedWhile any object can get the UPGRADIA treatment,
right now turning ‘dumb’ objects – think TVs, cars
and more – smart is the key UPGRADIA innovation.
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samsung: evolution Kit Add-on hardware upgrades smart TV
Every Object Connected
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google Chromecast Dongle turns ordinary TV into a smart TV
Every Object Connected
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sony: braVia smart stick Dongle integrates TV with Google Chrome web browser
Every Object Connected
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automatic Dongle and app provide driving metrics
Every Object Connected
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Fuse App connects drivers to data from their car
Every Object Connected
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LoCK8Smart bike lock enables location tracking
Every Object Connected
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digitalsTrom Smartphone-enabled blocks turn any appliance smart
Every Object Connected
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auris skye Device adds AirPlay or wifi connection to older music docks
Every Object Connected
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eXamPLes: Connected Objects UpgradedAlready connected objects can get the UPGRADIA
treatment, too. Think bolt-ons that add an entirely new
dimension to the device.
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structure sensor Clip-on sensor turns iOS device into 3D scanner
Connected Objects Upgraded
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LumuPlug-in turns smartphone into digital light meter
Connected Objects Upgraded
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michron Device enables time-lapse photography
Connected Objects Upgraded
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shaka Weather station Device converts smartphone into weather station
Connected Objects Upgraded
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eXamPLes: Open UPGRADIAAnother powerful form of UPGRADIA: open products
that allow consumers to devise and implement their
own upgrades/improvements/iterations.
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Phonebloks Open source, modular smartphone
Open UPGRADIA
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bleepbleepsOpen source digital devices for parents
Open UPGRADIA
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neo900 Open source, upgradeable phone
Open UPGRADIA
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Kano Open source coding kit for children
Open UPGRADIA
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neXTWhat changes in a world where consumers expect
almost any object to be upgradeable?
• The meaning of ‘new’ shifts. Not an endless stream
of new physical objects; instead new functionality/
capabilities.
• No more planned obsolescence. Instead, smart
brands will plan, build and sell for constant iteration.
• The true emergence of every product as a (constantly
evolving) service.
• A world of new information for consumers to track,
share and then act on.
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This is jusT a summary. read The FuLL Trend brieFing(For Free!) www.trendwatching.com/trends/upgradia
UPGRADIAwww.trendwatching.com/trends/upgradia 38
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