trendwatching.com’s UPGRADIA

trendwatching.com
FEBRUARY 2014 Trend briefing

UPGRADIA

The digital culture of constant upgrade and iteration comes to the
world of physical objects
www.trendwatching.com/trends/upgradia

This is just a summary.
Read the FULL Trend briefing
(for free!)


UPGRADIA

2

UPGRADIA Definition:
Driven by consumers’ thirst for quicker, more
seamless access to the new (in ways that
are cheaper, more sustainable and more
participatory) and facilitated by emerging
technologies, the constant stream of upgrades
and iterations typical of the digital ecosystem
is coming to the world of physical objects.


UPGRADIA

3

DRIVING THIS TREND:

1. INFINITE NEWISM
An ‘upgrade’ mindset meets new technologies

2. MORE FOR LESS
Less money, less guilt

3. HACKER CHIC
The status and excitement of DIY upgrades

UPGRADIA

4

1
INFINITE NEWISM
An ‘upgrade’ mindset meets new
technologies
In the digital space, endless consumer desire for
the new is served by a never-ending stream of
updates. Now, this digitally-inspired expectation of
perpetual update and improvement is shifting into
the physical world.


UPGRADIA

5

1. INFINITE NEWISm

Every Object
Connected

Relentless Product
Evolution

The emerging Internet of Things is both

New, more democratic manufacturing

fueling the expectation shift outlined

technologies and distribution platforms

above, and facilitating the arrival of

– such as 3D printing and crowdfunding

‘digital’-style constant iteration in the

– are also facilitating the constant

realm of physical objects.

upgrade and evolution of products.


UPGRADIA

6

In 2009, there were 2.5 billion connected
devices, most of these were personal devices
such as cell phones and PCs. In 2020, there
will be up to 30 billion connected devices,
most of which will be products.
- Gartner, October 2013


UPGRADIA

7

3 million funders pledged USD 480 million on
crowdfunding site Kickstarter in 2013.
- Kickstarter, January 2014


UPGRADIA

8

2
MORE FOR LESS
Less money, less guilt
Upgrades serve two deep consumer desires:
the desire for great value, and that for a more
responsible, sustainable form of consumerism.


UPGRADIA

9

2. more for less

More For Less Money

More For Less Guilt

The thrill of getting a whole ‘new’ product for

Many consumers feel guilt over the impacts

a fraction of the cost is helping to drive the

of their consumption on the planet, society

UPGRADIA trend. And unlike access-based

and self. UPGRADIA innovations deliver the

consumption models, UPGRADIA promises

new while incurring fewer of the negative

the joy of endless ‘new’ products and the

impacts associated with the ‘discard/buy new’

autonomy of outright ownership.

consumption model.


UPGRADIA

10

3
HACKER CHIC
The status and excitement of DIY
upgrades
Of course, only a minority of consumers want to
open, improve, reshape and/or hack products. But
the online space and 3D printing will make it easy
for these makers to push their upgrades to peers
who just want easy, seamless solutions.


UPGRADIA

11

1

2014 Trend Report

We obviously offer much more
than monthly Trend Briefings...

2 Trend Framework

3

Innovation Database

Introducing our
2014 Premium Service
Your complete trend and innovation solution.

4 Industry Updates

5

Apply Toolkit

Find out more
6 Monthly Updates

7

1-page Trend Handouts

EXAMPLES:

Every Object Upgraded
The impulse towards UPGRADIA can be applied
to any object, to make it more efficient, add entirely
new functionality, improve design, and more.


UPGRADIA

13


Copenhagen Wheel
Wheel turns any pedal bike into hybrid
ebike

UPGRADIA

14


The Floyd Leg
Add-on turns any flat surface into table


UPGRADIA

15


Pour Mason
Add-on turns Mason jar into coffee maker


UPGRADIA

16


Renault Kangoo Camper: TravelPack
Modular kitchen unit converts vehicle into
camper van

UPGRADIA

17

EXAMPLES:

Every Object Connected
While any object can get the UPGRADIA treatment,
right now turning ‘dumb’ objects – think TVs, cars
and more – smart is the key UPGRADIA innovation.


UPGRADIA

18


Samsung: Evolution Kit
Add-on hardware upgrades smart TV


UPGRADIA

19


Google Chromecast
Dongle turns ordinary TV into a smart TV


UPGRADIA

20


Sony: BRAVIA Smart Stick
Dongle integrates TV with Google Chrome
web browser

UPGRADIA

21


Automatic
Dongle and app provide driving metrics


UPGRADIA

22


Fuse
App connects drivers to data from their car


UPGRADIA

23


LOCK8
Smart bike lock enables location tracking


UPGRADIA

24


digitalSTROM
Smartphone-enabled blocks turn any
appliance smart

UPGRADIA

25


auris skye
Device adds AirPlay or wifi connection to
older music docks

UPGRADIA

26

EXAMPLES:

Connected Objects Upgraded
Already connected objects can get the UPGRADIA
treatment, too. Think bolt-ons that add an entirely new
dimension to the device.


UPGRADIA

27


Structure Sensor
Clip-on sensor turns iOS device into 3D
scanner

UPGRADIA

28


Lumu
Plug-in turns smartphone into digital light
meter

UPGRADIA

29


Michron
Device enables time-lapse photography


UPGRADIA

30


Shaka Weather Station
Device converts smartphone into weather
station

UPGRADIA

31

EXAMPLES:

Open UPGRADIA
Another powerful form of UPGRADIA: open products
that allow consumers to devise and implement their
own upgrades/improvements/iterations.


UPGRADIA

32

Open UPGRADIA

Phonebloks
Open source, modular smartphone


UPGRADIA

33

Open UPGRADIA

BleepBleeps
Open source digital devices for parents


UPGRADIA

34

Open UPGRADIA

Neo900
Open source, upgradeable phone


UPGRADIA

35

Open UPGRADIA

Kano
Open source coding kit for children


UPGRADIA

36

NEXT
What changes in a world where consumers expect
almost any object to be upgradeable?
• The meaning of ‘new’ shifts. Not an endless stream
of new physical objects; instead new functionality/
capabilities.
• No more planned obsolescence. Instead, smart
brands will plan, build and sell for constant iteration.
• The true emergence of every product as a (constantly
evolving) service.
• A world of new information for consumers to track,
share and then act on.


UPGRADIA

37

This is just a summary.
Read the FULL Trend briefing
(for free!)


UPGRADIA

38

NEXT...
MORE...

Enjoyed this Trend Briefing? Want more?

1. Our free monthly Trend Briefings

Join the 225,000
subscribers who receive
our free monthly Trend
Briefings.

2. Our 2014 Premium Service

Should you be one of
our 1,200+ Premium
clients?

SUBSCRiBE ME »

If you have any comments, suggestions
or questions then please do let us know.
Just email:

PAUL BACKMAN
Client Services Manager
paul@trendwatching.com

About us
Established in 2002, trendwatching.com
is the world’s leading trend firm, scanning
the globe for the most promising consumer
trends, insights and related hands-on
business ideas. Our Premium Service counts

many of the world’s leading brands as
clients, while our free monthly Trend Briefings
go out to over 225,000 subscribers in 180
countries.
More at

www.trendwatching.com

trendwatching.com’s UPGRADIA

Recommandé

Recommandé

Contenu connexe

En vedette

En vedette (16)

Plus de TrendWatching

Plus de TrendWatching (20)

Dernier

Dernier (20)

trendwatching.com’s UPGRADIA