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Arun Nirmal

Sustain Weekly — Buttons, High Heels and Internet of Things

“I believe time wounds all heels” — John Lennon

Last week, I wrote about the impending intersection of smartphones and wearables. Then, during the week, I read this article on a line of solar powered smart jackets. These clothes will evolve to include lighter fabric, energy efficient, flexible, and embedded with computing and data-capturing sensors.

The intersection between wearables and high power computing will happen. At the same, it will also intersect with the hippest tech trend right now — the Internet of Things (IoT). Basically, IoT is the networked connection of machines that can communicate information to others in the network. Basically, a fridge talking to your phone talking to your washing machine talking to your closet. Five years back, this was aimed for just a fridge talking to your grocery store. But that has kind of changed now. We want everything to talk to everything. Also, the grocery store is now Amazon.

That’s the basis for the market for Amazon dash — the company’ co-branded buttons to order home supplies. For example, a ‘Tide’ button that orders detergents from Amazon. You press it and it auto-orders a specific quantity of detergent from Amazon. So, you need multiple buttons for multiple products. Simple yet cluttered. Firstly, this is not so complicated to execute for Amazon because the money to make these buttons comes from retail giants, who are looking for alternate ways to sell their merchandise. So if you’re a big FMCG company and don’t have a button yet, it means you’re not working your channel like others.

But, at the same time, I don’t think the buttons are great. First of all, it creates a vendor lock-in. Shoppers can’t try other products quickly when they want to. Secondly, you wouldn’t want to see several buttons around the house, making it look like an old café bistro. However, I do like small non-protruding buttons. Especially on stuff that can power or manipulate a device to change settings. A concealed button on cloth, rings and jewellery work great for rapid assistance during emergencies. I think there’s a lot of progress already, but commercially available big brands are yet to get on this. Such buttons might also find functionality in assisted living facilities among the older generation.

Color me crazy! — But, this is coming.

Three years back, I found myself in the midst of debate on the over-valuation of wearing heels and I claimed software will eat this one too. On-demand heels. I still claim high heels should function on a ‘wear-as-you-go’ model rather than on permanent 6–10 hour slots. It wasn’t far-fetched at that time; neither it is now.Combine this with the advancements in materials science and shape shifting nano-materials that can be fit with communication capabilities, I see more value back to the wearer than plain other stilettos. I believe these ‘High ‘Tech’ Heels’ are not only easier on the heel but also on the purse. I also feel the same way about the Nike swooshes. If I were in charge, I’ll definitely make them color-agnostic and give the power to the wearer to express through a conceal button or an app. The intersection of wearables and IoT will happen. There is not even reasonable doubt. What it includes and excludes based on the feasibility of commercialization is what will govern the future of products in the next decade. So, will there be auto retractable high heels? — we have to wait and see.

A few sus-tech news I found interesting last week

Technology and Startups — What is your value? Are you over or under-valued?

  • Yahoo, GoPro, Twitter stocks sinks. Linkedin fell 46.5%. This was expected. Market correction.
  • Amazon launches 2 hour grocery delivery service in Bangalore. About 50 hyperlocal startup founders are spending this weekend thinking about their future.
  • Cisco acquired Jasper for $1.4 billion. For its Internet of Things (IoT) push. Or as Cisco calls it Internet of Everything (IoE). Come to think of it, Cisco has a problem with industry terminology of emerging technology. They like to name technologies. But only they call it that.
  • Microsoft acquired SwiftKey, the keyboard app company, for $250 mil. Microsoft has been surprising everyone with its acquisitions. They acquired calendar app Sunrise and To-Do list app Wunderlist. Will they integrate in a phone that not many are buying? Sometimes, I think Microsoft want to see Microsoft make something really good.
  • Google’s market value is now greater than Apple’s. Four ways to see it. 1 — Market likes it when you have monopolized a market (search) and diversify into what everyone is touting as the future. 2 — You can go down from here. 3 — Stock market value changes over time. 4 — Google’s two businesses are a) Google and b) Everything else that can be written off.

Did you know

  • A robot named after Tiger Woods hit a hole in one during the Golf PGA tour. Evolution of robotics is amazing. More on this in the next newsletter.
  • Also,shopping retailer Zara is supposed to be pronounced ‘Tsah. daah’ and not ‘Za-rah’. Tough change. But get on it. Here, a gif to help you with the transition.

News @Arcluster

Arcluster’s Energy, Power and Utilities segment covers more than 50+ sub-segments, covering over 300+ markets across Energy, Minerals, Mining and Utilities. Under utilities, we cover the emerging technologies addressing smart grids, gas, sewage, waste, smart meters and water. Follow us on twitter @arcluster for the latest news from the company.

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About me
I manage market research and consulting at Arcluster, an innovation design and market consulting company that does research and consulting on micro emerging markets and sustainable solutions. You can reach me on twitter at@anirmal or via email arun@anirmal.com