Final Project(Individual Part)

The Influence of Cloud Computing on Smart Watch Industry

Nowadays the hottest electronic product is apple watch.

Apple Watch represents a new chapter in the relationship people have with technology. It’s our most personal product yet, because it’s the first one designed to be worn. 

-------Apple official said on their advertisement

What's more, recently the Apple App Store already lists over 30 apps for the Apple Watch, only a day after it was confirmed the device will be on sale from 24 April.

Here you may ask a question why so much app can run on a small watch since the cpu chip of a watch is so small. Because due to the development of cloud computing technology and it application on mobile devices, app do not need compute at that the chips on the watch. It can calculate at cloud ant then return statistics to the watch.

And also due to the globalization, smartwatch can quickly occupy global market and reach customer's hand.Globalization will help high quality product increase sales and accelerate smartwatch which do not have power function and high quality die out. The video shows top 5 smartwatches and their functions.

IMPACT OF CLOUD COMPUTING ON THE SMARTWATCH INDUSTRY

Add more new functions 

Early smartwatches can only perform basic tasks, such as calculations, translations, and game-playing. While modern smartwatches are almost effectively wearable computers. Many smartwatches run mobile apps, while a smaller number of models run a mobile operating system and function as portable media players, offering playback of FM radio, audio, and video files to the user via a Bluetooth headset. But now due to the powerful cloud computing technology, we can make these functions connect to the internet. Data do not need to store in the flash memory of smartwatch, they can store in the cloud. This enables more power functional app run on the smartwatch.

In addition, Some also have "sport watch" functionality with activity tracker features (also known as "fitness tracker") as seen in GPS watches made for Training, Diving, and Outdoor sports. Functions may include training programs (such as intervals), Lap times, speed display, GPS tracking unit, Route tracking, dive computer, heart rate monitor compatibility, Cadence sensor compatibility, and compatibility with sport transitions (as in triathlons). Due to cloud computing, their data can be uploaded to the internet and share to each other globally.

So Sydney university make a survey about user's expected functions on smart watch:

Attracting more smartwatch software provider

Since the cloud computing technology widely used on smart watch, more and more app developers participate in smart watch developing business. Users can store their personal data and compute these data on cloud which will greatly lighten the burden of CPU chip on the smart watch.  A app developer in Russia can provider software services to Chinese users through the cloud.

The server in Russia can do computing globally.This gives a benefit that developer can detect the the difference of data between Chinese and British people and thus make correct strategy. And more developers join in this busness will also accelerate smart watch generation reform and companies price war.

For example IBM builds healthcare analytics cloud for Apple Watch.At the end of 2014 IBM unveiled a host of applications for iOS as part of this partnership, which aims to provide business applications and IT consulting services for Apple devices.The computer supplier has now extended the partnership to enable iOS apps developed using Apple’s HealthKit programming toolkit to store and process data in an IBM cloud.
The structure of IBM healthcare cloud show below:

IBM said the business unit – called Watson Health – would arm medical researchers with secure, open-data storage combined with access to sophisticated data analytics.According to IBM, health and fitness app developers and medical researchers will be able to store and analyse data and access anonymous health data on the company’s Health Cloud, which is powered by IBM Watson.

CHANLLEGENCES

In Enterprise

Wearable technology will find it more difficult to break into the enterprise, as there needs to be a business case to use a smart watch in business.An expert from Motorola Company named Cozza said: "The Apple Watch, and other wearables are partial devices." In other words, they can only function fully when used in conjunction with another computing device.

As an example, Cozza said an oil company could give oil platform workers  a smart watch, to collect instrument readings from the rig, rather than using an 8-inch tablet for data collection. The information collected on the smart watch could then be uploaded to a central database.

Apps for a smart watch should be context aware, according to Cozza. "You should think about scenarios where it is beneficial not to take out a smartphone.”

Companies Step In

Because of technology and innovation globally.When a innovation technology emerges , big companies in the world will soon step in and make every effort to occupy this market.

At Google I/O on 25 June 2014, the Android Wear platform was introduced and the LG G Watch and Samsung Gear Live were released. The Wear-based Moto 360 was announced by Motorola in 2014.At the end of July, Swatch's CEO Nick Hayek announced that they will launch a Swatch Touch with smartwatch technologies in 2015.

The launch of Samsung's Gear S smartwatch was covered by the media in late August 2014. The model features a curved Super AMOLED display and a built-in 3G modem, with technology writer Darrell Etherington stating on the TechCrunch website,

On 29 October 2014, Microsoft announced the Microsoft Band, a smart fitness tracker and the company's first venture into wrist worn devices since SPOT (Smart Personal Objects Technology) a decade earlier. The Microsoft Band was released at $199 the following day, on 30 October 2014.

The comparison of smartwatches shows below:

Effect of Globalization

Everybody knows the importance of the role technological innovations and developments in globalization, on the other hand , “declining trade and investment barriers” with the help of GATT and WTO is as important as the first one.

--------Copied From Week 4 Required Reading

Globalization of markets, marketing ethics and social responsibility

Just as Kuo Frank, a professor from City University of Hong Kong tells "Innovation forces globalization" .The competition in smart watch is intensive just from this new industry emerges. 

SMART WATCH IS ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY FOR  CLOUD

Now that two titans are in the smartwatch war (and possibly others), I’m getting excited Engadget Samsung Smart watch about the idea of using a wearable to access my information. Even though the smartwatch is not a standalone device, it communicates with a designated smartphone and tablet. It take all of this information (sort of a personal version of an “Internet of Things”) and compiles it in a way that enables users to read e-mails, text messages, and postings on social media sites. You can even access your calendar and a variety of apps. All on one watch!

And for companies like Samsung, this is a big opportunity. Samsung wants you to buy its smartwatch that talks to your Samsung smartphone, which communicates with your Samsung tablet. And all of the data contained in these devices can be stored in Samsung’s cloud. If you think about it, it would make a great bundle plan!

So the increase sales in smartwatch will also increase the sales in mobile phone,  the company not only aim at the only one product but the whole electrical product system include smartwatch, smartphone or tablets.

SECURITY PROBLEM

As for the users:

when you use cloud services , it may be some different with store in flash memory or online server.The idea of having personal information swirling out there in cyberspace can be very scary. The cloud may be fine for pictures and music. But is it possible to really trust a third party with appointment calendar, private e-mails, and apps that track your checking account?

Like most online services, access to your data is controlled with chosen username and password. And the voice of reason has always told us to create a password that’s unique (i.e., never before used) and strong for each online – and now cloud – service. Should an unfortunate hacking event happen to one of your cloud services, intruders might attempt to use the same credentials to access remaining cloud services.

So users need to understand – or better yet, memorize – the storage provider’s terms, conditions, and privacy notice .A solid cloud storage provider should have clear information on their Web site about how they secure personal information and what they will or will not do with it. If not, keep looking for another provider.Take special note of your responsibilities, the service agreement, and the provider’s certifications. Stay informed on security protections being offered and how and when maintenance, patches, and upgrades will take place.

As for the company:

When you provide services applying cloud computing technology ,the structure is quite different from traditional internet server .Here are some points that you need to notice.

Is this the pure core business cloud service provider? How financially stable is the provider?Whether the company will go bankrupt in the future.Whether the  its data centers have implement data secure protection meet your legal, regulatory,privacy and business needs?

How long has the company been offering the service, is the company have enough experience in providing the cloud computing service and does it have a track record with verifiable customers? What is its level of technical expertise within its operations team? If the some technic problem emerge can the operating team efficiently handle it.

And as for the company, globalization will undoubtedly increase the uncertainty and risk.

Conclusion

Cloud computing affect smartwatch industry in many ways.It can enable more new functions to the smart watch and make it become power functional.The development of cloud technology can attract app developer from all over the world to join this industry.This also bring opportunity for the development of cloud computing by applying it more to human life. So in my opinion both globalization and cloud computing technology  accelerate the development of smartwatch. 

Last but not least, when cloud computing applied on smartwatch such mobile devices ,we should be careful when we use it because security problem is a big problem that cloud computing need to solve.

Reference

[1] Apple Watch: Getting ready for enterprise smart watches

Link: http://www.computerweekly.com/news/2240242001/Apple-Watch-Getting-ready-for-enterprise-smart-watches

[2] IBM builds healthcare analytics cloud for Apple Watch

Link: http://www.computerweekly.com/news/4500244318/IBM-builds-healthcare-analytics-cloud-for-Apple-Watch

[3] The Smartwatch: An Opportunity for the Cloud

Link: http://blogs.sap.com/innovation/cloud-computing/smartwatch-opportunity-cloud-0626045

[4] How enterprises can use wearable cloud computing

Link: https://powermore.dell.com/technology/enterprises-can-use-wearable-cloud-computing/

[5] The key to enterprise mobility in 2012: Cloud + Smart Watch,

Link:http://www.formotus.com/13882/blog-mobility/key-to-enterprise-mobility-in-2012-cloud-plus-tablet

[6] Cloud Computing: A Small Business Guide,

Link:http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/4427-cloud-computing-small-business.html

Group 2：HD-DVD failure

Thank you for your hard work on the detailed failure analysis about Toshiba HD-DVD. I really learn a lot from you article and learn to use what we have lnt in class to analysis the failure of HD-DVD.At first I don’t know what HD-DVD is . Then I go to WIKI to find out the parameter of HD-DVD. I totally agree your idea—the failure of HD DVD is due to a more powerful competitor Sony Blu-ray disc.So your article create a part “Timeline for emerging of HD-DVD” just illustrate HD-DVD and Blu-ray appear almost at the same time is great!
In technical, it was not an innovation product, it was just improvement of DVD.
while Sony’s Blu-ray disc is an innovation product in many aspects. It has better view quality and more storage than HD-DVD.In market,the format war moved to the war between new generation of game consoles globally, Sony has included Blu-ray in PS3 console with video player function to increase the adoption of Blu-ray hardware to battle with HD-DVD. In contrast, HD-DVD supported by Microsoft, launched HD-DVD player on XBOX 360. Comparing to Sony, this HD-DVD player is an optional item for XBOX 360.Sony has a greater advantage as it has access to in-house installed user base and complementary platforms (ie. Sony Pictures, Sony Electronics, PS3 all belong to the same Sony Corporation)
Your “Industry analysis that Toshiba situated by Porter’s Five Forces” is also attractive although some part of this I don’t understand. What’s more here is also a point you mentioned that everybody may forget---- cooperators reason.Sony and Toshiba started a next generation DVD standard battle with each other. Sony’s Blu-Ray technology was supported by a consortium that included Philips, Matsushita, Hitachi, and others. In contrast, Toshiba HD-DVD was supported by the DVD Forum, making it the “official” successor to the DVD format.As we can see, Sony had powerful background and also had many strong commercial partner whom have the same interest. This lead Sony win the battle directly.
In my opinion , because of technology trend and innovation globally everything will change ,the new will represent old. Thank you for sharing.


Group11-Sony walkman
Thank you for sharing this amazing case!
In my mind Sony MD-player is well-design and power-functional electronic product. I really like it but it was too expensive at that time so I can’t afford it.But my friend had one, it could perform really good quality sound and using it listening music was really enjoyable. At that time , owning an MD player represent fashion and wealth in mainland China.
I quite appreciate your article, the picture and youtube video fit the content very well .In addition the author also present us the detail data in the chart help us to learn some strategies and market plan made by Sony. The chart of competitors analysis let me know about the each company’s share in portable player market . But I think competitor is not the important reason of the failure of MD-player.
Also Sony did bad in market research or selling strategy in different countries ,for example the inappropriate market strategy in the US .
In my opinion ,the most important reason cause MD-player’s failure is the global 
technology trend which you mentioned in the article. From Physical to Digital and From divergence to convergence. In 1998 when MP3 player appeared, the history of portable music player totally changed. This is what MGT 5516 tells us. 
Here I make a suppose, if Sony have done well in both market strategy, customer services strategy and price strategy, it will also disappear in history because of the global technology trend.
So, to be an early adopter is important in the modern world.Thank you group11 for giving us the fantastic article.

 Group 12 Nokia

Many people know that Apple and Android crushed Nokia in the smart phone market. But still other aspects make Nokia phone disappear just as this article shows us .First of all ,thanks for you hard working ,this is a fantastic article analysis all aspects of Nokia’s failure. The advantages of your blog is simple but concisely illustrate the idea clearly. Use just very simply words let reader easily understand but have strong material to support your illustration.

Analysis (e.g. SWOT Analysis, Porter’s Five Forces Analysis and the Globalization Influence Analysis) illustrate why Nokia fail in various aspects. In this part the picture the video and chart fit the content very well . But in my mind ,Nokia didn’t lack innovation. Their R&D department is powerful and creative. Nokia always focus on how to improve the camera such function consumer do not care much. With such R&D teams, it is surprised to know from the story that Nokia missed to implement the new technology in their products and failed to convert such great technology development to business. And for my opinion the main mistake that Nokia ever made is to make connection with Microsoft. The head of Nokia is too stubborn may be he want to against the global technology trend.

As the reason mentioned above. The main reason is just we all know ---compared with iPhone and android phone Nokia is not easily used and having less function but not cheap.