Here at Cheap TVs, we spend quite a lot of time predicting the future of technology. From discussing the impact that we think 8K TVs will have on the future of movies to foreseeing a good year ahead for 4K Ultra HD TVs, we always have our finger on the pulse when it comes to technology advancements.
However, you know what they say; predicting the future is easy…getting it right is the hard part. In other words, even really smart people can be wrong sometimes….
“Television won’t be able to hold on to any market it captures after the first six months. People will soon get tired of staring at a plywood box every night.” – Darryl Zanuck, executive at 20th Century Fox (1946)
Poor Darryl Zanuck, an executive at 20th Century Fox, was the person to make this embarrassing prediction about the future of TVs. To be fair, he wasn’t the only person who had that opinion. An article in The New York Times in 1939 wrote that the average American “wouldn’t have time” for sitting in front of a television. It’s safe to say that they were all wrong – luckily for us all!
“There’s no chance that the iPhone is going to get any significant market share.” – Steve Ballmer, Microsoft CEO (April 2007)
The very first iPhone was released back in June 2007 and the world went nuts. The phone, which combined a widescreen iPod with a browser and multi-touch display, was something that people hadn’t experienced in a phone before. Even though Steve Jobs referred to the iPhone has being “5 years ahead of any competition,” the man in charge of Microsoft wasn’t so confident. Before the release, he told a newspaper that there was zero chance of the iPhone getting any market share. He said the unfamiliar model and high price tag would definitely result in the device flopping. Well, we all know how good that prediction was.
“There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home.” – Ken Olsen, Founder of Digital Equipment Corporation (1977)
Ken Olsen was the founder of Digital Equipment Corporation, a company who developed mainframe systems and minicomputers for the engineering and science industry. Even though he owned his own computer at home, he was still certain that there was no room for them in the future. He also “couldn’t imagine” computers being used to control doors or other electronics in the home. Although it’s not something everyone has, the technology has been developed for years.
“Spam will be a thing of the past in two years’ time.” – Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft (2004)
Oh how we wish this one was true. Back in 2004, whilst speaking at the World Economic Forum, Bill Gates made this announcement. He suggested technology that was referred to as the equivalent of a stamp. It would be payable when an email is rejected. Unfortunately, spam emails are still very much a thing. We guess there is one thing money definitely can’t buy!
Whilst you patiently wait to see what the future holds for our technology predictions, why don’t you treat yourself to a high quality and affordable cheap TV? We have something suitable for every budget.
To find out more about our services, please don’t hesitate to contact us. You can give us a call on 0121 327 3273 and a member of our helpful team will be happy to help.
