Nowadays, it is hard to imagine a world without smartphones. In 2021, 3.8 billion people worldwide use smartphones, which means about 50% of the world's total population.
In the developed countries, as many as 75% of adults own a smartphone. Estimates assume that there are more than 14 billion active smartphones worldwide. That is nearly twice the population of the world. To analyse a smartphone more concrete, the paper will focus on the iPhone, which is the flagship product of Apple.
Table of Contents
1. Smartphones and Apple´s iPhone
2. Theory of Christensen and disruptive technologies
3. Description of smart glasses and their potential
4. Smart glasses as a disruptive innovation which could replace the smartphone
Objectives and Topics
This work examines the potential of smart glasses to emerge as a disruptive innovation capable of challenging or replacing the current smartphone-dominated market by applying the theoretical framework of Clayton Christensen.
- Analysis of smartphone ubiquity and functional oversupply
- Application of Christensen’s theory on disruptive technologies
- Technical description of augmented reality (AR) in smart glasses
- Evaluation of market adoption barriers for wearable devices
Excerpt from the Book
Smart glasses as a disruptive innovation which could replace the smartphone:
In his text, Christensen describes typical characteristics of disruptive technologies. Among other things, he mentions that:
1. Costumers will reject a new technology first because it does not address their needs
2. Products should not meet the mainstream requirements
3. Disruptive technologies introduce a very different package of attributes from the one mainstream customers historically value, and they often perform far worse along one or two dimensions that are particularly important to those customers
(Christensen, 1995).
To proof whether smart glasses are a disruptive innovation these points can be reviewed:
1. As about 64% of the adults in the US wear eyeglasses, 36% of the adults do not (AAV, 2020). As the 36% have no reason to wear glasses, this could be a good reason to reject smart glasses first. Another reason to reject them is that the people do not understand the power of AR and how it will affect technology in the future.
2. As there is only very little AR technology used at the moment, the mainstream is not aware of the technology and thus not demand it at the moment.
3. Smart glasses indeed introduce a very different package of attributes as they work different from current smart devices like an iPhone. With AR being one of the main attributes, it makes it even easier for the user to use certain functions. For example when a user wants to find a way with the help of Google Maps, the user does not longer need to pull out his iPhone, because with smart glasses Google projects the way into his real life surrounding.
Chapter Summary
1. Smartphones and Apple´s iPhone: Provides an overview of the global smartphone market and introduces the iPhone as a product characterized by functional oversupply.
2. Theory of Christensen and disruptive technologies: Introduces Clayton Christensen’s theory to frame how established companies often overlook emerging disruptive technologies.
3. Description of smart glasses and their potential: Explains the technical nature of smart glasses, specifically focusing on the role of augmented reality (AR).
4. Smart glasses as a disruptive innovation which could replace the smartphone: Evaluates smart glasses against Christensen's disruption criteria to assess their future market potential.
Keywords
Smartphones, iPhone, Apple, Disruptive Innovation, Christensen, Smart Glasses, Augmented Reality, AR, Technology Adoption, Mainstream Markets, Wearable Technology, Digital Transformation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper examines whether emerging smart glasses technology can be classified as a "disruptive innovation" according to the theoretical models established by Clayton Christensen.
What are the main thematic areas covered?
The work explores mobile technology trends, market saturation, the concept of functional oversupply, and the specific application of augmented reality (AR).
What is the central research question?
The central question is: Can smart glasses be considered a disruptive technology that follows the typical development stages to eventually replace the smartphone?
Which scientific method is applied for the analysis?
The author uses a theoretical analysis method, applying Christensen's defined characteristics of disruptive technologies to evaluate the potential of smart glasses.
What topics are discussed specifically in the main body?
The main body covers the current state of smartphone usage, the theoretical definitions of disruption, the technical functionalities of AR glasses, and a comparative review against mainstream requirements.
Which keywords define this academic perspective?
Key terms include disruptive innovation, augmented reality, functional oversupply, and wearable technology.
Why is the iPhone described as a product with "functional oversupply"?
Because the iPhone offers more features and capabilities than the average user requires, with most of these functions now being replicable by other devices like tablets or smartwatches.
How does augmented reality (AR) distinguish smart glasses from other devices?
AR allows for the merging of real-world environments with digital information without requiring the user to look at a separate handheld screen, fundamentally changing the human-computer interaction.
Why might mainstream consumers initially reject smart glasses?
Based on the analysis, rejection stems from two factors: a lack of understanding regarding the benefit of AR and the current lack of necessity for those who do not already wear eyeglasses.
- Quote paper
- Philipp Rothe (Author), 2021, Smart glasses as the smartphone killer?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1357329
