Hybrid Technologies

Powerful new platforms are beginning to emerge through the hybridization of two or more technologies or media, such as Internet TV, portable video, or mobile messaging, creating new possibilities to modify and extend media in new ways.



While technology analysts often speak of a trend toward convergence, a trend toward simpler “hybridization” of media and technologies has evolved over recent years, where several key functions are embedded in a device or media that allows it to serve not just one but several key uses, without becoming fully convergent. While these devices and media may be capable of more fully convergent behavior, the simple flexibility and utility of serving a limited number of important functions is the defining factor, often dictated by the optimal storage, processing or form factor of the device.

Signals:

• The integration of data carriage capabilities into the simple mobile phone, initially designed for voice only, has created a boom in development of mobile devices toward the smartphone, allowing these powerful portable computers to be used for several key functions—voice when needed, or messaging and data communication when necessary. While the modern smartphone has evolved into a highly capable computing device, billions of users worldwide simply use the mobile phone for these two basic capabilities.
• Internet-capable televisions, of which a new generation is emerging, also provide similar functionality as the mobile phone—in this case designed for video delivery, but also capable of basic interactivity through Internet access. Likewise, simple devices like Apple TV and Roku can stream both video and music to TVs, and the Wii and Xbox play games and also stream video.

The newest generation of e-readers bring not only the capability to store and read digital books, but also have data access to give them simple access to interactive services.

Implications:

• Most if not nearly all future media devices will have data access to allow them to send and receive content, and possibly connect with networks of other consumers’ content and devices. The phrase “_ and Internet access” will become a common descriptor of new products’ capabilities.
• The nature of how we think about basic behaviors—reading, communicating, shopping, watching, listening—is steadily being shifted to include other possible functions, or how that behavior is defined in context of access to others doing the same, or to vast libraries of content or services beyond the simple action.
• The ability to store large quantities content or media will become as important as data access in new devices.

Countertrends:
A countertrend toward single function devices, particularly for emerging markets, or where space, cost or other constraints dictate functionality be limited. Storage-only USB keys, voice-only phones for the elderly, or types of dumb data access terminals may still be the most appropriate technologies for certain situations.

Extrapolations:
The so-called Internet of Things is one important extrapolation of hybridization, where most everyday objects also have an IP address and read-only data access, enabling them to report location, status or otherwise be queried. In each networked object, it has its primary nature or function, and the additional hybrid function of being a data reporter.

Other Resources:
Scott Smith, “Don’t Judge a Book by It’s Coverage Area,” Changeism, April 23, 2009, http://www.changeist.com/changeism/2009/4/23/dont-judge-a-book-by-its-coverage-area.html

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