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The only thing I would challenge is the comparison to the speed of development in computer hardware/web apps. PC's have been a multi-billion dollar business wit
by replicatorblog 17y ago
The only thing I would challenge is the comparison to the speed of development in computer hardware/web apps. PC's have been a multi-billion dollar business with hundreds of million in investment since the Apple II. 3D printers are still a niche r&D tool 20 years after their invention. For instance 3D systems, the #2 player in the market only spent $8MM on R&D last year. Assuming the 4 majors did the same it is still under $40MM. More has been spent on real time web R&D this year.
That said, I hope the pace increases.
- steveklabnik 17y agoTo be fair, in an industry that's as encumbered by patents as this one is, you can't expect things to innovate that quickly. There _are_ some innovations coming down the pipeline, however. Expect to see costs fall rapidly in the near future, making the tech even more accessible... There's even business method patents on half of this.
- zepolen 17y agoComputers were still a niche tool 40 years after their invention. I think that once people realise applications that apply to the mainstream they will become as cheap and as widespread as inkjet printers.