Eerie news this week – this is what happens when Big Tech runs out of ideas. Not for nothing, but why is it endemic for big companies to stop understanding who their customers are? Do they have a ‘No Ideas’ department, or what? I always thought Big Tech companies had a team inside the company answering the question: ‘Who are our customers and how can we best serve them?’ I guess not.
So yeah – big tech seems to have NO ideas – based on current events. I don’t know the answer, but the fact that TWO big companies have this trouble mean an opportunity for us to learn. Here’s the deal:
Sony announces PS5 Pro – Over at YCombinator, gamer nerds are dunking on this move like a fat cop with a donut. ‘You are grossly overestimating what PS5 can do in regards of 4k, let alone 8k (which nowadays is used by very small percentage of enthusiasts).’ Additionally, ‘Enthusiasm for the PS5 Pro seems to be non-existent amongst most video game developers, with most claiming there is no need for it.’
Ford seeks patent for tech that listens to driver conversations to serve ads – This isnt’ the first time Ford’s patented dystopian technology – between the way for banks to disable features on leased cars, and the Patent for System to Reposses Cars Remotely. Nonetheless, a tech to listen to driver conversations for advertising? Uh, yeah – that’s nightmarishly intrusive. Future cars will require a key AND the Miranda Warning before you can go anywhere. Later versions of the tech will probably include video – move over Taxi Cab Confessions, we’ve got Ford Fusion ‘Fessions!
I don’t have a car or a PS5, but I do have a heart and that’s something Big Tech seems to be missing these days. They’re scraping the bottom off of the Stupid Barrel chasing the bottom line. Bigger mouths than mine are doing the heavy lifting, main point I want you to remember is that it’s easy to avoid all of this. All you need to do is take a step back and look at the situation like a human being. Is *this* what you want to be known for?
If that’s too broad, let’s channel The White Stripes ‘Little Room’ song – a remarkably precient ditty from Jack White about what happens when you have a great idea:
Well, you’re in your little room
And you’re working on something good
But if it’s really good
You’re gonna need a bigger room
And when you’re in the bigger room
You might not know what to do
You might have to think of how you got started
Sitting in your little room
I’m not sure if any of this helps Sony or Ford, and honestly I don’t care. It’s awkward when Big Tech has no ideas – but we’ve been here before and they’ll survive. We’re here to help each other – Sony and Ford can take care of themselves.
