How to Improve an Existing Product: Product Management Training (Part 7)
New and improved are fantastic words, and innovations help make life just a little bit easier. The following familiar products have been “tweaked” and as such have become that much more useful.
1. Light Wi-Fi
The Chinese are developing a type of Wi-Fi that uses light rather than radio waves to emit wireless signals. The speed is as fast as DSL, with the potential to be far faster. Some office building in the North Western United States have already implemented the technology.
2. Washable Keyboard
While it may be difficult to imagine a washable keyboard, it truly does exist. No more worries about spilled coffee, water, or soda around the computer. The redesign also spells an end to icky, sticky keys.
3. Toilet With Sink Cistern
This is a product with a definite innovative twist. A toilet with an attached sink, the redesign saves water and money. It also frees up space in a very small bathroom.
4. Flash Drive File Display
Display files on the flash drive in use. This revamped little item saves time by displaying files on the drive without having to click between the file and the hard drive.
5. Edible Coffee Cup
This is a favorite of mine. An edible coffee cup pastry is much like “having your cake and eating it too.” An incredibly delicious and innovative way to start your day.
6. Flat Extension Cords
No more round bumps under floor rugs with this cool extension cord. No more tripping over wires either. Stay connected, without the hassle.
7. Trap The Cap Bottle Opener
Instead of having to hunt down the cap when a bottle is opened, this little gadget traps the cap for easy removal. The secret is a magnet that keeps the cap stuck to the bottle opener.
8. Self-Chilling Energy Drink
Simply push a button for a refreshingly cool drink. A nice little addition when there’s just no room in the cooler or the fridge.
9. Serrated Edge Ice Cream Scoop
The serrated edge makes all the innovative difference when cutting into a carton of ice cream. The soft grip makes for a very comfortable fit, as well.
10. Smart Bin
This handy little contraption will make sure you never miss a pitch to the trash can ever again. It is mounted on wheels and designed to catch the trash thrown at it.
11. Augmented Video Display Glasses
View the world through glasses much like a video game. A camera is mounted into each lens and the data is then digitized.
12. Electricity Generating Fibers In Clothes
Every single move you make, even while resting and breathing, generates energy. Now this energy can be stored in clothes and used to charge gadgets on the go.
13. Folding Speed Bumps
No one loves speed bumps. This speed bump folds up when approached at a low speed, but remains a bump when a vehicle is at high speed.
14. Laser Keyboards
Simply hook the projector to a computer or a smartphone via Bluetooth and type away. It makes tapping sounds just like a regular keyboard. Use on any flat surface.
15. High-Tech Bug Zappers
This project was financed by Bill Gates to kill off disease-carrying mosquitoes. A laser is mounted on a stand and can “hear” the flapping wings of mosquitoes and zaps the bugs to death.
16. Laser Touch Screen
A touch screen without a screen is the idea. A shoulder-mounted projector projects the touch screen onto any flat surface. The user simply taps the screen to access more information.
17. Transparent Screen
This smartphone app makes it easy to walk and text at the same time. The see-through application provides a view of a keyboard and the text you are working on, overlaid over an image of your surroundings using the camera, which prevents you walking into obstacles.
18. Personalized Luggage Tag
The tag may lessen the wait time at the luggage carousel. The luggage tag politely asks fellow passengers to shout out your name to make it easy to find your luggage.
19. Fridge Camera
Schedule a picture of the fridge contents to make sure nothing is forgotten in the grocery store. The little contraption also prevents purchasing items that are not needed.
20. QlockTwo W
A twist on a classic. Instead of numbers the time is displayed in a sentence, such as, “It is half past six.” A little something different for the innovator in your life.
