In Business - technology developments in 2012

I have a feeling that the role of technology in business strategy is going to be a key topic for many business students and teachers in 2012, so this excellent podcast from BBC R4 Peter Day is well worth listening to…

http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/radio/worldbiz/worldbiz_20111231-0030a.mp3

This is Peter Day’s annual look at the way business is likely to be changed by developments in technology. It takes the form of an interview with Mark Anderson

Some key points that I jotted down from my listen:

Steve Jobs legacy
Ability to integrate technology properly into products consumers value - he didnt really invent anything

Amazon:
Early to recognise that data-driven insights into consumer behaviour are immensely powerful
Now moving into content
Has a loyal, captive audience and understands what they want and like
The launch of the Kindle is the start of a new publishing model
Now selling more e-books than paper books
They have a plan!

Google:
Search engine is still their competitive advantage
But otherwise lacking a strategic focus
Product portfolio is too diversified
They “have no plan”

Tablets:
Everyone wants a piece of the action - lots of new entrants
The best-selling, fast-growing segment of the computer market

Television:
A product set for significant development - long overdue
Family of devices will interact with the TV
E.g. tablets will interact with the TV

Voice recognition
Apple’s SIRI system may herald a new generation of voice-controlled devices
Opportunities for personalised, customised assistance from devices
A way of humanising technology

Cloud computing
Use is already exploading
Originally focused on business use
Now the focus is on consumers (e.g. Apple iCloud + SIRI)
Requires huge investment in data centres - big barrier to entry
but worries about data security and reliability - hard to protect intellectual property