5. Technology changes (2)
The slide rule- to-calculator example happened a long time ago. So consider a more recent technology change. For example the move from the old CRT displays to flat screen technologies (Plasma, LED, LCD, OLED) both in televisions and computer screens.
Consider these impacts
- CRT television and screen manufacturing companies either had to adapt to build the new type of screens or they would eventually go out of business.
- Office space has been greatly affected because the new screens are much more compact offering either more spacious offices or allowing more people to be placed in the same office space.
- Power consumption is lower and so the 'carbon footprint' of the company is reduced along with their energy costs
- Screen size and resolution are increased allowing people to put more on the screen at one time, thus improving productivity. It is also much easier to dual and multi screen, increasing display areas even further.
- Presentation suites and meeting rooms in organisations have been impacted as it is easier to mount a screen on the wall rather than using the old bulky crt units.
- Because they are cheap and lightweight, displays are now commonplace in shops and public areas, offering customers more information or entertainment.
- The new screens offer High Definition (HD). This has impacted broadcasting companies in terms of profits, competition and quality. For example many broadcasters offer premium HD channels in addition to their normal ones.
- HD has also driven changes in camera technology, video recording and editing technologies which has had a massive impact on Hollywood and other professional media operations such as the BBC
- The internet has been affected because bandwidth demand has increased greatly as people want to download their videos in HD quality to view with the new screens
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So the point is, introducing a new technology has the usual competitor / market affect. But if it is truly new, there is often a ripple effect through society as people and companies take advantage of a new technology.
