Comments on: Why the Future of Hardware Is Services http://gigaom.com/2011/03/17/why-the-future-of-hardware-is-services/ Fri, 24 May 2013 04:46:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: John http://gigaom.com/2011/03/17/why-the-future-of-hardware-is-services/#comment-611623 Thu, 24 Mar 2011 18:33:37 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=318647#comment-611623 Om,

Great Article. The concept extends beyond consumer machines. I am in the vending machine business and our industry is moving rapidly to a model where software enhances the vending machine experience.

]]> By: Tien Tzuo http://gigaom.com/2011/03/17/why-the-future-of-hardware-is-services/#comment-611482 Thu, 24 Mar 2011 06:08:36 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=318647#comment-611482 Om, I completely agree. The future is services that people subscribe to. Going forward, for a hardware device to be successful, it has to be tied to services that buyers want. I just posted a blog using your piece as inspiration: http://blog.zuora.com/.

]]> By: Om Malik http://gigaom.com/2011/03/17/why-the-future-of-hardware-is-services/#comment-610001 Fri, 18 Mar 2011 21:40:01 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=318647#comment-610001 Indeed. Thanks for this addendum to the post.

]]> By: grellanl http://gigaom.com/2011/03/17/why-the-future-of-hardware-is-services/#comment-609992 Fri, 18 Mar 2011 20:17:31 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=318647#comment-609992 I think I’d add a modifier to this proposition – the services involved must be open and extensible, or else if proprietary they must be attached to a provider that is well-trusted and with an expectation of longevity. Amazon and Apple supply devices connected to their proprietary services, but there’s sufficient brand trust there for customers to overcome caution. Enough people have been burnt in the past with devices that were closely tied to DRM-laden ecosystems that have since expired.

The other path (and I don’t think we’ve seen this yet, but we will) is for devices with interconnectivity and the flexibility to connect to web services of your choice, whether it’s the fabled “smart fridge” or just plain ol’ IPTV services on your TV.

Until we see this, the preference of smart customers will continue to lie with buying ‘dumb’ hardware, with smart bolt-ons that can be changed more frequently – for example, a 50″ flatscreen with no integrated services or flexibility, but to which we attach Xbox, Tivo, AppleTV and so on.

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