Knowledge compounds. The experiences that we have in life, in business and in society, should drive us to learn and to improve. That is, if we want to get better. Knowledge is wealth and grows when learning is applied and compounded.
Last week,
Genesi was mentioned in a Gartner Report on the subject of the Internet of Things (IoT). IoT seems to be
phase two of the smart connected device era. Worldwide shipments of smart connected devices grew 29.1% year over year in 2012, crossing 1 billion units shipped with a value of $576.9 billion. The market expansion was largely driven by 78.4% year-over-year growth in tablet shipments, which surpassed 128 million in 2012.*
Apple and Samsung are stimulating and benefiting the most from this growth. Both organizations use internally designed chips based on the ARM architecture. Not surprisingly, Lenovo recently announced they will begin to do the same. Lenovo’s seeks more control over the destiny of their smartphones and tablets, or, said another way -- better management of their supply chain. Wholly owned HiSilicon makes chips for Huawei. The trend will continue. Vertical integration is becoming a necessity.
Starting off as a maker of air conditioners and televisions, Samsung expanded into chip production. Today, Samsung is the largest producer of DRAM as well as a leading supplier of NAND flash. Samsung makes large-screen televisions and displays, automotive electronics, printers, washers, dryers, refrigerators, and mobile phones -- becoming a front runner in each market (
they even build ships!). Gartner reports that Samsung sold nearly 65 million Android phones in 2012 and could sell over 50% of all Android devices globally in 2013. Samsung controls and closely manages many supply chains and makes a lot of
things.
As the evolution continues, the supply chain will progressively engage the consumer. The tablet-smartphone hybrid is yet another entrée into the publishing/digital distribution business. In this regard, Apple is way out front, but Samsung has
100% Indie off and running and
Tizen is being readied (
it is not really clear where the Samsung-Google/Android relationship will go). Eventually, they will all be in the advertising business -- some more, others less -- especially if Google continues to have a say in this, not to mention Facebook, Amazon and all the network operators. Digital coupons will lead to brokering financial transactions. One day, you may get all your media for free in exchange for your transaction loyalty.
That said, Samsung could be converging in another way. The Galaxy S4 or its successors could be the ultimate remote control/control panel -- not only for your media, but for your refrigerator and a lot other things too (
electronic nudge: kimchi at highest nutritional value, pH level is at 4.3, eat soon as you need at least 500 calories in the next two hours...). This could be another growth path from Samsung. Things will pull us into new dimensions.
The tablet has not only lowered the cost, it has made computing easier. There are more consumers for a less complicated technology. There are more devices, and more connectivity, with more and more things all collecting and exchanging information. That is more learning and
knowingness, all compounding at a accelerating rates. Like the wind, you won't see it, but you will see what it does.
As technology advances, we will struggle to keep our opt-out options open. Business stakes will go higher. Cyber wars will escalate. We have some challenges ahead.
R&B
* Worldwide Smart Connected Device Market Crossed 1 Billion Shipments in 2012, Apple Pulls Near Samsung in Fourth Quarter, According to IDC
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