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While I was reading on my Kindle this morning, I thought about how many other kinds of similar E-Ink readers there are now (Sony's, Kobo, Aluratech, Nook). I realize Kindle wasn't the first E-Ink reader, but my question scopes a lot of technology industries: why all the others all of a sudden?

For example, the iPhone and iPad seemed to start a whirl of buzz about multi-touch screens, both small and large. Now there are several major offshoot brands (and even major brands) with similar technology. As I understand it, though, that technology was "new," as in: nobody had developed it at a reasonable price before.

Similar spurs of innovation could be seen from the notebook computer, flip-top phones, MP3 players, hard disks, flash drives, web startups (complex back-end network infrastructures like cloud computing), etc.

One company comes up with a practical way to distribute or apply the new technology and then all of a sudden, everyone else does.

What enables other companies to release similar, innovative products about the same time as others? Yes, I know it is to compete, but how do they figure out the technology so quickly? Did they happen to be developing it at the same time themselves? Do they reverse-engineer the leading brand? Practically, how do they do it?

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As an aside, perhaps this Dilbert strip explains everything. – Matt May 13 '12 at 5:24

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I suspect that knowing something can (or will) be done is a great motivator for "invention".

Before something is announced, it may seem impossible, or at least not viable, but if you know that your competitor is going to be doing something that can easily spur you into action.

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If I read you correctly, you're suggesting that companies simultaneously develop the technologies independent of each other, with foresight being the catalyst behind their innovation. I wonder how they all get the idea at around the same time? – Matt Apr 12 '12 at 17:27
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Not necessarily, although that is likely too. What I mean is, if someone announces something "new", just the thought that it is now possible, or soon will be, is enough to cause other people to realise that they should start work on it too. – Steve Jones Apr 13 '12 at 9:47
Oh, I see. I suppose that makes sense. With the announcement is the implication that technology is at a point where it can be done, so might as well start working on it. That's pretty interesting. I assume the same could be said of rumors/leaks, when there's no public announcements? – Matt Apr 13 '12 at 14:07
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Exactly. Of course, rumours and "leaks" are often press releases in disguise, especially in the political arena. Here's how it goes: You want to do something really unpopular, so you arrange a "leak" of something even more outrageous. Everyone "objects", so you are seen to be "listening" and "consulting" and then you announce your original idea "after careful consideration" and it is accepted. Not only that, but your popularity increases as you are seen to be reasonable. </cynical> True though, especially in the UK. – Steve Jones Apr 16 '12 at 9:15

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