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Ask HN: What are the signs a piece of technology will become commoditized?

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Re: Ask HN: What are the signs a piece of technology will become commoditized?

#51

Doesn't all technology eventually become commoditized? At the latest, after the patents expire. I think every piece of tech ever invented is either commoditized or is on a path to become so. I think it would be more productive to see if anyone can name a tech that isn't commoditized and isn't likely to in the future.

Dead media is not (or rather, is no longer) commoditized. (By dead media I don't mean something that is vaguely less popular than something newer but is still produced, like newspapers, but instead something that has been superceded entirely, like Qipu or the radio-iconoscope.)

Re: Ask HN: What are the signs a piece of technology will become commoditized?

#52
post #46
post #26

Mobile Device Management (MDM). Blackberry got the ball rolling in the early 2000's, but it was the release of iPhone and Android that got vendors rich. Apple and Google created API's and enrollment processes to manage devices (device lock, wipe, etc.). Companies created software to consume those API's, the biggest being AirWatch, Mobile Iron, and MaaS360. AirWatch was acquired by VMware for $1.5billion in 2014 and M…

I had to Google MAM to clarify what it meant, and then I realized this was what I was wondering about the other day, puzzling over how BYOD isn't a massive security nightmare. I must admit, I'm very fascinated with application management would actually be executed, from an academic / computer science angle. I can also completely understand patenting from a business perspective, but I'm also curious as to what things…

MDM uses operating system level API's provided by the vendors (Apple, Google). These require the device to be enrolled with management software (Airwatch, Mobile Iron, etc.).

MAM vendors like Apperian use various other techniques to manage the applications and their data only. The device is completely irrelevant, because we only care about the app. We do this through clever use of API's and a technology called 'App Wrapping'. This takes the mobile app, decompiles it into machine code, and very carefully injects new security features directly into the decompiled app. This allows adding security features like data at rest, analytics, etc. without needing any OS level API's. https://www.apperian.com/mam-blog/app-wrapping-lets-get-tech...

Re: Ask HN: What are the signs a piece of technology will become commoditized?

#53
post #52
post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I had to Google MAM to clarify what it meant, and then I realized this was what I was wondering about the other day, puzzling over how BYOD isn't a massive security nightmare. I must admit, I'm very fascinated with application management would actually be executed, from an academic / computer science angle. I can also completely understand patenting from a business perspective, but I'm also curious as to what things…

MDM uses operating system level API's provided by the vendors (Apple, Google). These require the device to be enrolled with management software (Airwatch, Mobile Iron, etc.). MAM vendors like Apperian use various other techniques to manage the applications and their data only. The device is completely irrelevant, because we only care about the app. We do this through clever use of API's and a technology called 'App W…

Wow, thanks for the reply! :)

> decompiles it into machine code

...this was the part my eyes started getting big...

> very carefully injects new security features directly into the decompiled app

...and this was the part I had a small jawdrop moment. :P

> This allows adding security features like data at rest, analytics, etc.

_Wow_. I think I suddenly get the rationale behind patenting.

Hah.

* Reads link *

> Mobile app wrapping is able to provide the same level of security as device management and even takes it a level deeper by securing the app itself and inspecting that app to know what it is doing and if it contains any malware.

(Italics at the end mine)

After an admittedly short look around, I've concluded that you seem to be focusing entirely on enterprise-controlled system-/app lockdown.

To me, the technical accomplishments you've achieved to make this possible provides a massive opportunity just waiting to be fulfilled: a new, unique approach to mobile antivirus. It wouldn't be for everyone, but I can totally say that I'd use it, and a lot of technically-oriented "tinkerers" would probably love some of the introspection and analytics your system provides, in an antivirus context. :D

I suspect most of your existing tech could translate across really easily - and that the effort you make to make antivirus better will also translate across into even better lockdown heuristics.

Granted, I don't fully understand the platform, so I might've missed a point somewhere, but I still think this is pretty amazing tech. Thanks for the info! :D

Re: Ask HN: What are the signs a piece of technology will become commoditized?

#54
post #53
post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

MDM uses operating system level API's provided by the vendors (Apple, Google). These require the device to be enrolled with management software (Airwatch, Mobile Iron, etc.). MAM vendors like Apperian use various other techniques to manage the applications and their data only. The device is completely irrelevant, because we only care about the app. We do this through clever use of API's and a technology called 'App W…

Wow, thanks for the reply! :) > decompiles it into machine code ...this was the part my eyes started getting big... > very carefully injects new security features directly into the decompiled app ...and this was the part I had a small jawdrop moment. :P > This allows adding security features like data at rest, analytics, etc. _Wow_. I think I suddenly get the rationale behind patenting. Hah. * Reads link * > Mobile a…

Are you looking for a job? We are hiring now for solid engineers. seibeljames@gmail.com or jseibel@apperian.com. We are doing some very interesting tech for governments / corporations with high-security clearance needs. I can explain much more in depth if this interests you
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