Non-Disruptive Technologies
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Disruptive technologies change the rules in ways that make it impossible to industry leaders to follow their old technologies with new.
When industry leaders continue to innovate on old technologies, things can seem rosy for quite some time. Mini-computer manufacturers got quite good at making 8.5 inch drives, but they completely missed on 3.5 inch drives - and the whole market - because they didn't predict there was enough demand.
TVs are going through a similar cycle. The replacement of cathode ray tube technologies with flat screen technologies is occurring quickly. For a long time, rear projection TVs existed on the periphery but they are being replaced as flat screen technologies become larger and larger.
Texas Instruments announced that they have a new rear projection method that is better than what was offered before (Taub). It looks like to me like too little too late. We're watching the last hurrah for CRT technology in TI's bid for rear projection dominance. The market will likely continue to dwindle. Let's hope TI doesn't get left behind. It looks like, however, they will be.
Taub, Eric A. Betting on a Bright Future for Rear-Projection TVs. The New York Times. 21 January 2008. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/21/business/21texas1.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=eric+a.+taub&st=nyt&oref=slogin