Lesson starter video: Technological innovation in the post-PC era

A super, data-rich video here from the Economist Magazine which is perfect for getting students to think about how consumer technology is changing in what Steve Jobs described as the post-PC era.

Desktop computers are now firmly in the mature phase of their product life cycle. Maybe they are entering the decline phase!

Of course, no one is predicting that the personal computer (PC) is about to disappear. However, lots of evidence suggests that demand for the traditional PC is now slowing (particularly in developed economies).

By contrast, the combined sales volumes (units shipped) of web-connected smartphones and tablet computers are likely to exceed those of desktop and laptop computers for the first time during 2011, putting PCs in the shade.

What are the implications for businesses that have traditionally relied on the PC market - desktop manufacturers, peripheral suppliers, software vendors?

Have any of your students bought a desktop recently? If so, what kind and why?

Lots of scope for discussion.