Monday, July 17, 2006
The Over-Inflated 'Digital Home' Predictions Game
Posted by Damion Chaplin in "HARDWARE" @ 05:30 PM
"...when we add up the five years of annual sales forecasts, it appears that cumulative sales of home media servers during this period will be approximately 150 million units in the US alone – that’s almost 1.5 media servers per home by 2010. Are you kidding me?.. Fluffy forecasts have characterized the digital home landscape for more than two decades. For those of you with experience in this space, you are aware how many fits and starts the ‘digital home industry’ has had. As a consultant in this space for more than five years, I’ve seen both large and small companies embrace overly-optimistic forecasts only to find themselves squandering millions on ‘emerging opportunities’ that never surface – at least not to the extent many forecasts may have suggested. I’ve seen well-intentioned analysts produce forecasts in the vacuum of their cubicles, unaware of the impact their predictions will have upon their client’s financial future."
And interesting article where the author first decries the latest research, then tells us why this sort of thing has led to so many false starts by digital media into our living rooms. Researchers declare everything under the sun a digital media server and next thing you know, everyone either owns one or wants one. I agree wholeheartedly with the author, but it's not really anything new. Unfortunately, it's been happening a long time now. :? Definitely an interesting read though.
And interesting article where the author first decries the latest research, then tells us why this sort of thing has led to so many false starts by digital media into our living rooms. Researchers declare everything under the sun a digital media server and next thing you know, everyone either owns one or wants one. I agree wholeheartedly with the author, but it's not really anything new. Unfortunately, it's been happening a long time now. :? Definitely an interesting read though.
