The Resurgence of T9: A Throwback Technology?
In the realm of technology, some innovations seem so obvious that they’re destined for greatness. However, not all ideas are created equal, and sometimes even the most well-intentioned concepts can fall flat. Take Direction 9’s attempt to revive the infamous T9 text input system, which was once a staple on our trusty Nokia phones from the 1990s.
A Blast from the Past
For those who may not remember, T9 was a popular method of entering text using a numeric keypad. The system relied on predictive algorithms and a simple set of rules to guess what word or phrase you were trying to type. While it may seem like ancient technology now, Direction 9 is eager to bring this nostalgic feature back into the spotlight.
A Prototype with a Twist
At CES, the startup unveiled its prototype, which integrates the T9 system into an Android set-top box. The company’s founder, Leon Chang, explained that their vision is to license this technology to major TV streaming companies like Roku, Netflix, Apple, or Samsung. The idea is to provide a seamless way for users to input text using only the directional pad on their remote control.
The Pros and Cons
According to Chang, the benefits of T9 are clear: "Entering text on your phone is hard. You have to look at your phone, two feet away, and then look at your television, 10 feet away. You have to focus up and down, and you can’t do blind typing." By integrating T9 into set-top boxes, users would be able to input text without having to constantly switch between devices.
However, there are several reasons why this technology may not take off as expected. Firstly, the trend is shifting towards more intuitive and user-friendly interfaces, such as voice commands or keyboard shortcuts on our phones and tablets. Secondly, most modern set-top boxes already offer more efficient solutions for searching and inputting text, like QR codes or log-in processes.
A Questionable Business Model
Direction 9 plans to charge a significant amount of money for their technology, ranging from $3 to $0.50 per remote control shipped. Given the low cost of producing remote controls at scale, it’s unlikely that manufacturers would be willing to pay such a premium just to add this feature.
A Skeptical View
As someone who has seen his fair share of pitch decks and startups, I must say that I’m highly skeptical about Direction 9’s chances. With so many established solutions already in place, it’s difficult to see how T9 would become a game-changer in the industry. As Chang himself admits, any half-competent engineer could implement a version of T9 for a set-top box in an afternoon.
Conclusion
While I don’t want to be too harsh on the Direction 9 team, I believe that their innovation may not be as groundbreaking as they think. With so many other solutions available and more efficient methods being developed all the time, it’s unlikely that T9 would become a widely adopted feature in set-top boxes. Only time will tell if this startup can prove me wrong.
Related Topics:
- CES 2024
- Direction 9
- Gadgets
- Startups
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