Summary of Key Points
The article begins with Moore Threads' AICUBE being mocked by users as an "AI alarm that costs ten thousand yuan," and it uses examples from previous technology trends such as tablets, VR, and the metaverse to highlight a common lesson: Technological innovations often outpace user needs, but products that fail to address real problems will be neglected by the market. The true use cases for technology don't emerge from brainstorming in conference rooms; they grow out of the everyday life of ordinary people. Implementing technology requires trial and error, and what may seem like silly early-stage products could actually lay the foundation for future essential devices.
Detailed Analysis
Why Did AICUBE Become an "AI Alarm That Costs Ten Thousand Yuan?" – Features Abundant but Not Practical
Moore Threads' AICUBE has impressive hardware specifications: a custom-designed chip, 50 TOPS of computing power, 32GB of memory, the ability to run games like Genshin Impact, and it can also serve as a home hub. However, users didn't buy it for these reasons:
- Managing family schedules manually, including tracking each person's eating habits and dietary restrictions, is more time-consuming than using a smartphone calendar.
- Cross-app functionality requires granting all permissions, and users still have to deal with verification codes and make payments themselves.
- While the local storage is secure, spending ten thousand yuan on a NAS, a smart speaker, and a new phone would provide even more functionality.
Users don't want a "versatile tool" that can do everything poorly; they prefer practical solutions to specific problems. Spending ten thousand yuan on something that can do many things but doesn't excel in any one is less appealing than saving that money for smaller, more useful devices.
Past Technology Trends Have All Fallen into the Same Trap: Focusing on "Disruption" Instead of Solving Small Problems
The article mentions three technology trends with similar outcomes:
- The Tablet Boom (2012): Manufacturers claimed tablets would replace laptops and improve learning, but users mainly used them to watch videos in bed. Only the iPad survived because it provided an excellent video and gaming experience.
- VR/Smart Hardware Boom: Devices like the Storm Magic Mirror were touted as the next computing platform, and smart water bottles promised to remind users to drink water, but VR headsets caused dizziness, and smart water bottles were cumbersome to charge. The only successful products were the Xiaomi Watch (for tracking steps) and AirPods (for wireless convenience).
- The Metaverse Boom: Meta invested billions in rebranding, and Pico was acquired by ByteDance, but users used headsets mainly for gaming, which caused discomfort after hours of use. In the end, the metaverse concept faded, and VR became a high-end gaming platform.
Lesson: Users don't pay for future concepts; they only spend money on solutions that solve current problems.
The Gap Between Technology and Users: Engineers' "Hammer Thinking" vs. Users' "Pain Point Thinking"
Why do manufacturers create products that seem impractical? Because engineers think in a linear way (anything with computing power can be a home hub, anything with AI can be an assistant), without considering the real problems people face in their daily lives. For example, parents with both jobs struggle with finding time to help their children with homework after work; they don't need an all-encompassing AI system. The entrepreneur in the article removed all fancy features from his product and created a smart lamp that could help with homework, which was much more popular.
Real Use Cases Emerge from Everyday Life, Not Conference Room Ideas
WeChat started as a simpler messaging tool but became a versatile app after users discovered its group chat, red envelope, and taxi-hailing features. AirPods were initially criticized for being expensive, but their convenience (automatically playing music when the case is opened or headphones are put on) made them a hit. None of these features were planned by product managers; they all came from user interactions.
Technology Implementation Requires Patience: Trial and Error Is Essential
AICUBE may be mocked now, but it's not a failure. Just as Android tablets initially failed, many of the products in that era contributed to their widespread adoption. Even if VR headsets were ineffective, they helped mature the technology market. Technological development isn't linear: First, create a product and let users criticize it; then refine it based on feedback. Once hardware costs decrease (e.g., if AICUBE's price drops from ten thousand to one or two thousand yuan), and its features better meet user needs, it could become essential in households—perhaps quietly turning on lights or adjusting the air conditioning without being noticed.
The future doesn't come with grand announcements; it emerges through continuous trial and error.
Conclusion
This article emphasizes that the success of technology products lies not in showing off capabilities but in understanding user needs. Whether it's AI hardware or other innovations, solving a real problem for ordinary people is more valuable than making grand claims about disrupting the future. The "AI alarm that costs ten thousand yuan" today could become a "home assistant" tomorrow—if manufacturers are willing to listen to what users really want.