The adoption of new technology is an irrational process. Discuss.

Hey

I'm writing an essay on the above title and was wondering what everyone thought. I'm getting bogged down in theories and would like some real world input.

It's supopsed to be about everything from the wheel to nanotechnology but i would like some inspiration vis-a-vis the introduction of the personal computer i.e. Apple changing people's persepctives on what was until then a main-frame system.

If anyone happens to have published on the subject then i'd be happy to reference you in my essay (i like confusing tutors with people they haven't heard of)

Thanks
M

Well, lets say apple had pattends for the iPod for the next (X) years, then there might now be anymore great mp3 players for (X) years.

What i'm trying to say, is that apple always comes out with great ideas, then once their pattend is over, other companies just copy them. The final product for these other companies never looks as good as apples, though!

EDIT-XTREEM said:

Well, lets say apple had pattends for the iPod for the next (X) years, then there might now be anymore great mp3 players for (X) years.

What i'm trying to say, is that apple always comes out with great ideas, then once their pattend is over, other companies just copy them. The final product for these other companies never looks as good as apples, though!

Click to expand...

Huh? Digital music players were out for a good three years before the iPod first made an appearance. Apple is good with styling and marketing, but a good amount of times they copy what has been around for a while. Notable exception is the Newton-- I don't think that there was anything like that around when they were introduced.

Apple's genius is in taking things and making them more appealing by making them very stylish and easier to use.

A little article on mp3 player history:

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6450_7-5622055-1.html

The most interesting thing about adaptation of new technology is how many knowledgeable people get it wrong: "I think there is a world market for maybe five computers." Thomas Watson, Chairman, IBM Corporation (1943); "I see no advantage to the graphical user interface." Bill Gates (1984).

dan828 said:

Notable exception is the Newton-- I don't think that there was anything like that around when they were introduced.

Click to expand...

Ahem. http://www.8bit-micro.com/tandy-zoomer-z-pda.htm


The Casio/Tandy Zoomer, introduced 1992, months before the Newton.

Kar98 said:

Ahem. http://www.8bit-micro.com/tandy-zoomer-z-pda.htm

The Casio/Tandy Zoomer, introduced 1992, months before the Newton.

Click to expand...

Well I did say that I didn't think that there was anything else around...

You can even go back to the first Apple computer and see antecedents for it.