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Short article on the up-and-coming technology of 3D televisions, with some comments on the problem of standardization

2010 will probably be the year in which 3D television sets enter the market. Interesting that this up-and-coming technology will probably emerge before its predecessor (HDTV) becomes dominant, especially because the useful life of a TV set is longer than the lifeitme of its technology. Another interesting point is the standard that will emerge as a foundation for 3D TVs, whether it will be based on traditional colored eyeglasses, or (more costly) glass-less technology.

3d television is emerging as a radical and potentially disruptive innovation. As usual, availability of complementary goods (content) is a key element in stimulating diffusion, but this time Panasonic is taking an interesting twist to this story. Instead of relying on partnerships with traditional creators and distributors of content (movie producers and broadcasting operators), it is wondering whether a 3d YouTube coiuld be the real solution. Of course, this could lead to completely different business models.

Apple seems to be inarrestable. A dominant position in digital music, a potentially winning entry in the e-book industry (thanks to the iPad) and it is now looking for ways to disrupt television. No surprise that Apple's market capitalization is now bigger than Google's.

TV sets are exhibiting a technological revolution after another. Flat screens (LCD and plasma) have overcome CRTs, and now 3D TVs seem likely to define a new paradigm over the next few years. Of course, this heavily depends on the availability of 3D content and on consumers' desire to experience it beyond movie theaters. 

Another basic paper that discusses the impact of technological innovation on mature industries (TV in this case) and on their business models

What will paradigms for TV sets after HDTV is a bit of a question mark. On the one side, it might be 3D technology. On the other, it might be convergence with the Internet. TV-set makers are playing big bets on both possibilities, and convergence is of course dependent on the existence of content and software that can make it interesting in the eyes of customers. As is currently happening for smartphones, content need not be generated internally, but through app-store mechanisms. Will this strategy pay off?

Google and Intel are expected to announce a significant breakthrough into consumer electronics and the broadcast industry this week with the launch of a "Smart TV" platform. Top executives from the Silicon Valley companies are reported to be ready to reveal a deal with Sony, bringing web services to its televisions, during Google's annual developer conference in San Francisco. Intel's Atom microprocessor and Google's Android operating system are spearheading their assault on set-top boxes and TVs featuring integrated internet services. Intel pioneered internet "widgets" on TV screens with Yahoo in 2008 but while many other players have entered the market since, it remains fragmented and has been slow to take off.

What is the perfect "personal device"? In the quest for a dominant design, now Motoral is looking for a TV tablet. Will it find acceptance in the market? This is probably a matter of market segmentation: "older" TV addicts having more money to spend will probably find it interesting. But younger people, raised on youtube and facebook might find it useless...

Same as in the previous post... the changing nature of the TV set as product, user experience and... business model

Quite thought provoking. TV sets are being deeply changed by enabling technologies such as 3D and Internet access. However, what is the product, the viewing experience and the business model that will become dominant, based on these enablers?

Entertainment is undergoing radical change. But will it go in the content-centric direction that Apple and Google are thinking of, or will it rather be a social network-centric model? While traditional broadcasting is till strong, it would be funny to see the disrupters being disrupted.