trendwatching.com’s UPGRADIA

UPGRADIAThe digital culture of constant upgrade and iteration comes to the world of physical objects

trendwatching.com FEBRUARY 2014 TREnd BRiEFing

www.trendwatching.com/trends/upgradia

This is jusT a summary. read The FuLL Trend brieFing (For Free!) www.trendwatching.com/trends/upgradia

UPGRADIAwww.trendwatching.com/trends/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.

1. inFiniTe neWism

2. more For Less

3. haCKer ChiC

An ‘upgrade’ mindset meets new technologies

Less money, less guilt

The status and excitement of DIY upgrades

DRIVING THIS TREND:

inFiniTe neWismAn ‘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.

Every Object Connected

Relentless Product Evolution

The emerging Internet of Things is both

fueling the expectation shift outlined

above, and facilitating the arrival of

‘digital’-style constant iteration in the

realm of physical objects.

New, more democratic manufacturing

technologies and distribution platforms

– such as 3D printing and crowdfunding

– are also facilitating the constant

upgrade and evolution of products.

1. inFiniTe neWism

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

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

more For LessLess money, less guilt

Upgrades serve two deep consumer desires:

the desire for great value, and that for a more

responsible, sustainable form of consumerism.

More For Less Money More For Less Guilt

2. more For Less

The thrill of getting a whole ‘new’ product for

a fraction of the cost is helping to drive the

UPGRADIA trend. And unlike access-based

consumption models, UPGRADIA promises

the joy of endless ‘new’ products and the

autonomy of outright ownership.

Many consumers feel guilt over the impacts

of their consumption on the planet, society

and self. UPGRADIA innovations deliver the

new while incurring fewer of the negative

impacts associated with the ‘discard/buy new’

consumption model.

haCKer ChiCThe 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.

We obviously offer much more

than monthly Trend Briefings...

Your complete trend and innovation solution.

Introducing our 2014 Premium Service

Find out more

2014 Trend Report

Trend Framework Innovation Database

Industry Updates Apply Toolkit

Monthly Updates 1-page Trend Handouts

eXamPLes: Every Object UpgradedThe impulse towards UPGRADIA can be applied

to any object, to make it more efficient, add entirely

new functionality, improve design, and more.

Copenhagen Wheel Wheel turns any pedal bike into hybrid ebike

Every Object Upgraded

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

Pour mason Add-on turns Mason jar into coffee maker

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

eXamPLes: Every Object ConnectedWhile any object can get the UPGRADIA treatment,

right now turning ‘dumb’ objects – think TVs, cars

and more – smart is the key UPGRADIA innovation.

samsung: evolution Kit Add-on hardware upgrades smart TV

google Chromecast Dongle turns ordinary TV into a smart TV

sony: braVia smart stick Dongle integrates TV with Google Chrome web browser

automatic Dongle and app provide driving metrics

Fuse App connects drivers to data from their car

LoCK8Smart bike lock enables location tracking

digitalsTrom Smartphone-enabled blocks turn any appliance smart

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

eXamPLes: Connected Objects UpgradedAlready connected objects can get the UPGRADIA

treatment, too. Think bolt-ons that add an entirely new

dimension to the device.

structure sensor Clip-on sensor turns iOS device into 3D scanner

Connected Objects Upgraded

LumuPlug-in turns smartphone into digital light meter

michron Device enables time-lapse photography

shaka Weather station Device converts smartphone into weather station

eXamPLes: Open UPGRADIAAnother powerful form of UPGRADIA: open products

that allow consumers to devise and implement their

own upgrades/improvements/iterations.

Phonebloks Open source, modular smartphone

Open UPGRADIA

bleepbleepsOpen source digital devices for parents

Open UPGRADIA

neo900 Open source, upgradeable phone

Open UPGRADIA

Kano Open source coding kit for children

Open UPGRADIA

neXTWhat 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.

This is jusT a summary. read The FuLL Trend brieFing(For Free!) www.trendwatching.com/trends/upgradia

1. Our 2014 Premium ServiceOur free monthly Trend Briefings 2.

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

SUBSCRiBE ME »

MORE...

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

PAUL BACKMANClient Services Manager paul@trendwatching.com

ABoUt UsEstablished 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

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

neXT...Enjoyed this Trend Briefing? Want more?

trendwatching.com’s UPGRADIA

Business

Transcript of trendwatching.com’s UPGRADIA

[CN] trendwatching.com’s DEMANDING BRANDS

[DE] trendwatching.com’s MINI TRENDS

[CN] trendwatching.com’s TRENDS: REFRESHED

[CN] trendwatching.com’s PRESUMERS

[KR] trendwatching.com’s TRENDS: REFRESHED

[KR] trendwatching.com’s LOCALIZASIAN

[DE] trendwatching.com’s LOCALIZASIAN

trendwatching.com’s TRENDS: REFRESHED

[ES] trendwatching.com’s LOCALIZASIAN

[KR] trendwatching.com’s SERVILE BRANDS

[KR] trendwatching.com’s VIRGIN CONSUMERS

[PT] trendwatching.com’s DEMANDING BRANDS

trendwatching.com’s HYPERACTIVE BRANDS

trendwatching.com’s MINI TRENDS

[KR] trendwatching.com’s PRETAIL

[FR] trendwatching.com’s PRESUMERS

[NL] trendwatching.com’s PRESUMERS

[NL] trendwatching.com’s LOCALIZASIAN

trendwatching.com’s CRAMMING

[CN] trendwatching.com’s LOCALIZASIAN