In the early days, the hardware vendors who have more quality software may get more consumers. The best demonstrate is the competition of TV game console such as Sony PlayStation V.S Sega Saturn. Players may buy the TV game console in order to play these exclusive games. However, as technologic development and advance, consumers believe to play the same game in different platforms must be natural.
The same situation also happens in mobile device. Although the platform is completely different programmer and structure, Users still think they "should” be able to play Angry Bird on different mobile devices.
Moreover, when PC is not the only device which can connect to the internet, the software will be asked not only able to run on the computer, but also can run on other devices. Span devices functionality of a software development has become a standard. The software application must conform to be used at any time, any place and any device. "Software above the Level of a Single Device" this phenomenon is occurring right now. From this, I observed several interesting phenomena:
1. Rise of integrated devices
Many products are difficult to determine its single function. When hardware devices become more powerful, the likelihood of these devices replace other devices may become increasingly. If most of software can operate in different devices, I believe it will accelerate the decline of the products which only have single function. For example, mobile is already enough powerful to be seen as a camera, music player, or a PDA. Consumers will think that it is better to buy a mobile than a PDA because the value may be higher. They still can use Word with a phone but also can take a picture and listen to music.
2. Always online
As we learned in class, "Use the power of the network to make the edge smarter", some content providers will save the data in the cloud, so when consumers use different equipment, as long as connect to the Internet, they still can reload the previous information. For instance, like the using model of Dropbox, Evernote and Google Doc. Furthermore, broadband infrastructure must be very important.
3. Instant Sync
As another point which I learned in class, I also think that it is a very important premise that software can instant sync in different platforms or devices. If software is unable to provide seamless service on different platforms, it may not only lose the significance of cross-platform, but also against the consumer's confidence. The video show how Amazon uses Whispersync technology to let users synchronize their comments and notes in different devices. It also shows the last chapter last look even on different platforms.
4. Unique features
Different hardware devices have different functions. When the software appear in a different platform and combine the original features of hardware device, it will be a surprise to users. For example, Facebook Places, a location function is connected with mobile devices unique features.
5. User-centred
In addition to allow users to use the same services and features seamlessly on different devices, good operating experience is a another challenge which need to be faced. When users have a choice between two softwares, they will favour the product which can provide a simple operation.
With the evolution of science and technology, the outlook of the device in the future will show more and more different types such as Internet refrigerator. This situation may cause more challenges for software developers when they develop software on different device. Let us wait and see!
References:
10 Things Killed by the Smartphone
EVERNOTE – Top Five Reasons to Evernote Your Life
Kindle 2 announced – Whispersync is what everyone should be excited about
Nowadays, there are plenty of OS & Hardware for choosing. OS firms try to contribute their characteristic system and gradually changed consumers behavior. On the other hand, hardware enterprises invent & combine new functions in devices to attract consumers. Those reasons accelerate development of technology & effect to lives.
ReplyDeleteGreat explanation for the theory. Your post involves me to more understand about the theory.
ReplyDeleteGood post. You have provides different aspects relating to this pattern with various examples. This article discloses more details of "Software above the Level of a Single Device" than I have known. I've learn a lot after reading it. ^^
ReplyDeleteThe power of multi-platform has already create an huge effect to the whole world. It make user can operate or play THE SAME software or service on the DIFFERENT PLATFORM. For the vendors and company, this trend brings lots of cash for them because more and more user can use their service or software on the different platform. However, some of the users doesn't like this because they wanna a exclusive software.
ReplyDeleteA fridge is no longer a product to stock food,the boundary betwwen two compeletly difeerent products is become blur,now we can do multi tasking on a single device, very through explaination of this pattern.
ReplyDeleteVery detailed introduction of this pattern. It reminds me ten years ago mobile can only be used to call and text. How amazing! hmm?
ReplyDeleteVery detail, and lots of example. I don't know much about game console but "EVERNOTE" (The reference link that you put below) is a good example of this one. Have you ever used it. It is very such a useful tool.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, Nice Post.
Good luck with your assignment.
Great post!
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed by the fridge. The thing we need to consider is not only the software is developing but also the devices.