Hybrid Personal Computing
Convergent Evolution
Personal electronics are rapidly evolving to unify multiple devices into single, highly portable PDAs. Cell phones integrate organizational, communication, and personal entertainment applications while laptops offer solid state storage with longer battery life and lighter weight products at a price similar to high-end cell phones.Consumers in both established and developing economies are finding the new, less expensive personal computers not only required for success within a more international, global economy, but also within reach of their disposable income.
Since 2006, Over the Sun's Principal Kai Staats has studied the evolution of personal computers and PDAs and how they are received by both domestic and international markets. His personal, hands-on time in Japan, Singapore, the Philippines, and India resulted in a strong design foundation. While more than two dozen market entries in late 2007 and early 2008, including ASUSTek's highly successful EeePC followed by HP's product line, the primary focus of these offerings was miniaturization of the product and reduction of price point. Limited attention has been given to improved physical interface and applications unique to the intended users.
The recent introduction of Apple's iPad does move to meet some of the demands of this hybrid opportunity, but falls short in a number of functions.
Over the Sun believes an opportunity exists to bring to market a new kind of personal computer, an evolutionary jump in both hardware and software, tightly integrated to enable personal ideation and interconnected, local and global collaboration.