A different taste of VR

5

October

2016

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The virtual reality world is changing rapidly, Google just announced their vision (no pun intended) on VR headsets with the Google Daydream View. Many other companies have their headset already on the market and our now developing applications for these devices (Lamkin, 2016). Consumers are slowly starting to get into virtual reality, Deloitte Global predicting that at the end of this year VR will have about $700 million in hardware sales. Of which the vast majority is focussed on video games but in the longer term VR is likely to have multiple applications (Lee & Stewart, 2016).
Virtual reality hardware offers visual and audio content to replicate a realistic environment. Immersing users into a simulation that allows them to feel like as if it was reel. However this illusion remains incomplete, only satisfying sight and hearing. So that’s why Ubisoft developed the Nosulus Rift, which will offer gamers a different immersive experience while playing the game “South Park: The Fractured But Whole”. This game has a new character whose superpower is farting. And since a fart is not visible, Ubisoft created a new VR wearable device that users need to strap onto their nose and will make them able to smell the farts of the characters (Passary, 2016). Ubisoft is showcasing this device at game conventions where people can try-out the game as well as the headset. Some of the reactions give a good indication of how well the device works. “A horrible, noxious gas” according to Farokhmanesh (2016) and Dingman (2016) says “it can make you retch and feel like you want to die!”
Then the questions arise, is this a good development for VR? Will it help VR become the next chapter in the continuing disruption in technology and innovation? The Nosulus Rift is more than just showing a new way to experience VR, it opens a large field of new opportunities in the sector of VR. Helping VR become integrated into our lives and workplaces in the near future.

Sources
https://www.wareable.com/headgear/the-best-ar-and-vr-headsets
http://www2.deloitte.com/global/en/pages/technology-media-and-telecommunications/articles/tmt-pred16-media-virtual-reality-billion-dollar-niche.html
http://www.techtimes.com/articles/174579/20160822/forget-oculus-rift-meet-nosulus-rift-this-wearable-tech-will-let-you-smell-fart-in-new-south-park-game.htm
http://www.polygon.com/2016/8/19/12550744/south-park-fractured-but-whole-nosulus-rift
http://www.pcworld.com/article/3116197/software/south-park-the-fractured-but-wholes-fart-simulating-nosulus-rift-almost-made-me-vomit.html

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Smartphones disrupting your sleep

25

September

2016

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Nowadays we rely on technology to make life better, but to a certain extent it might be making things worse. Smartphones and tablets disrupt our sleep; many people spend the first hour or so of their bedtime wandering through the internet. Looking page after page for information and entertainment. Information is available so quickly and everywhere to be found, leading to an information overload. The web provides immediate access to all sorts of information which, with the consumption of social media and usage of apps, it has resulted in many people finding it hard to fall asleep at night (Khazan, 2015).

One of the biggest causes why it is hard to fall asleep is the artificial light emitted from these smart devices. Especially the blue light, forcing us to stay awake by convincing our bodies that it is morning. This particular light is a biological clue for predicting when it’s morning. At night, there’s more red light than blue light, which signals your body to prepare for sleep. But when looking at blue light your body sends a “wake up” signal at night, which screws up our body’s biological clock (Welsh, 2014).

With a massive growing amount of information readiness and a decade of a fast changing industry of how we consume information, there is also a growing body of knowledge on the effects of what these information technologies do to our health, especially our sleep. There is a huge rise in sleep deprivation and the results are extremely worrying, its harm has been studied by a group of Harvard researchers, showing that it could shift sleep schedules by three hours. Getting less than seven hours sleep a night is associated with a range of problems, including an increased risk of obesity, heart attacks, diabetes and cancer (Harvard, 2015).

As for a solution to this growing problem, it could be as simple as putting your phone down and closing your eyes. Also most smartphones nowadays, offer an option to change the colour of the screen (Bolton, 2015). Plus, if you spend less time scouring the social media, and all the other things your smartphone can do, you will likely have a good night sleep

Sources:
http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2015/02/how-smartphones-are-ruining-our-sleep/385792/
http://www.businessinsider.com/smartphone-is-destroying-your-sleep-2014-5
http://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/blue-light-has-a-dark-side
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/laptop-phone-sleep-bright-screen-flux-twilight-a6737696.html

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Technology Of The Week – Smartphone Industry Disruption

15

September

2016

5/5 (1)

The iPhone disrupted the mobile phone market in 2007. Uber did the same with the transportation industry in 2011. Disrupting the industry gave Apple a new market to compete in. Apple’s new business model in which they facilitated a network connecting developers with users, changed the game. The most important part of this business model is that Apple controls and coordinates portions of the value chain where they can add value, leaving other areas to organisations with specific competencies. The application development is left to third parties, this openness makes the iPhone a site of co-creation as consumers work with company technologies to create value (Darmody, 2009).

The five forces analysis showed that the iPhone lives in a competitive environment. Strong competitors like Samsung, LG, and many others are rapidly innovating, use aggressive marketing and frequently imitate Apple. A SWOT analysis shows that the iPhone has a strong operating system and a very loyal customer base. These strengths compensate the weakness that the iPhone is relatively expensive. The iPhone can thrive in the next few years. The continued technological advancements can be used to improve the quality of the iPhone. However, Apple needs to watch out that they will not get left behind by their competitors.

The App store was a great way for Apple to build network effects and is also an excellent example of the long-tail business. With a few top-selling apps representing the majority of downloads (Suzuki, 2016). One of which is Uber, an example that was able to disturb the transportation industry by using the smartphone disruption. Uber has developed a smartphone app that acts as a mediator between the customer and the drivers. Through this app, Uber provides several services a normal taxi company does not. Customers can see and give reviews about the driver and the car he or she is driving, which allows them to pick their ride selectively.

Porter’s five forces show that the competitive rivalry of Uber is intense. Uber has some big competitors who use a similar business model. Uber’s competition is not only in regards to the customers but also to the suppliers. The SWOT analysis shows that Uber’s first mover advantage created one of their critical strengths. However, on the other hand, it also created some of it weaknesses like the lawsuits and the insurance and liability questions. These lawsuits are also a future threat, as it can destroy Uber’s entire business model. Lastly, Uber still has the opportunity for expanding towards other geographical areas.

So what about the future? The possibilities seem endless. For Apple to maintain their competitive advantage, they need to keep up, or rather stay ahead, of the innovations that are to come. As for Uber, Uber receives many critics, of which some issues even lead to lawsuits. Still, the steady growth of Uber shows its high potential for the future. Moreover, with the increase of the smartphone market, the amount of customers will rise. Uber is likely here to stay.

References
Darmody, A. (2009). Value Co-Creation and New Marketing. Open Source Business Resource. [http://timreview.ca/article/302]

Suzuki, L. (2016). How Strong are Apple’s iPhone Network Effects?. Onlineeconomy.org. [http://www.onlineeconomy.org/how-strong-are-apple’s-iphone-network-effects/]

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