Product Thinking Newsletter - February Edition

How many of you met your significant other online? In today's digital era, it's no surprise that Cupid has swapped his bow and arrow for algorithms and swipes. As technology intertwines with our love lives, the evolution of dating apps and platforms illustrates a fascinating journey of innovation, user experience, and, occasionally, unexpected glitches that remind us love isn't as binary as the code it's built on.

Remember when grand romantic gestures meant hoisting a boombox over your head? Nowadays, it's all about sending the perfect meme or crafting a text with the right mix of emojis to express those butterflies. Technology has taken us from mixtapes to shared playlists and from awkward video dating profiles to VR dates where you can stroll on the moon, hand in hand, without leaving your couch. Love, it seems, has gotten an upgrade.

Dating platforms have evolved from questionnaire-based matchmaking to the efficiency of a simple swipe. These digital arenas have mastered the art of keeping us hooked, with AI playing the modern matchmaker. Yet, for all their sophistication, they haven't quite managed to iron out the quirks of human interaction—autocorrect fails still turn heartfelt confessions into laughable moments, and ghosting has become the new "It's not you, it's me."

In the world of product design, these platforms remind us that crafting connections is as much about understanding human eccentricities as it is about algorithms. They're a playground for empathy, humour, and the occasional reality check that, yes, even in love, bugs and glitches are part of the package.

As we peer into the crystal ball of tech and romance, the future teases with possibilities—AI love coaches, romantic gestures by drone delivery, perhaps? The path of love and technology is paved with innovation, laughter, and the occasional "oops" moment. Here's to the adventures that await in the quest for digital love—because if we can't chuckle at a misplaced emoji or a virtual date gone awry, what can we laugh at?

But before I let you go, we can’t forget…

The Month in Tech History: February Edition

• On February 4, 2004, Facebook launched, turning the act of poking from creepy to clickable and ensuring your mom could friend request you while ads got to know you better than any ex ever did.
• WhatsApp revolutionized messaging on February 24, 2009, making us all adept at sending "LOL" with the straightest of faces and giving text messaging a much-needed encryption upgrade.
• Adobe Photoshop made its debut on February 19, 1990, granting cats wings and offering instant digital makeovers, proving that in the world of photo editing, reality is merely a suggestion.
• The Raspberry Pi was introduced on February 29, 2012, blending computer science with dessert by making technology as accessible and enticing as a slice of pie.
• The Legend of Zelda was released on February 21, 1986, creating the perfect excuse to avoid homework and embark on a noble quest of breaking pots and collecting rupees.
• Google Maps went live on February 8, 2005, offering salvation for those of us who wanted to find that hidden coffee shop without actually having to ask a real person for directions.
• The release of Microsoft Windows 2000 on February 17, 2000, brought with it the excitement of unexpected reboots, elevating the blue screen of death to an art form.
• IBM's Watson triumphed on Jeopardy! on February 14, 2011, making us question our own intelligence as it flaunted its trivia dominance with robotic smugness.
• The first tweet from space was sent on February 22, 2010, proving that social media's reach was literally out of this world and that tweets could indeed orbit higher than any bird.
• Apple's iTunes Store celebrated 10 billion downloads on February 24, 2010, rendering physical music collections quaint and making digital hoarding the new norm for music lovers.
• Kodak filed for bankruptcy on February 19, 2012, marking the moment when Instagram filters officially became the preferred method of capturing and sharing memories.

Have a great month, and remember, be kind.

Chris

February's Content

How to become a truly customer-centric organization

Customer-centricity is essential for successful product delivery. Head of Product, Sue Anderson shares how Trade Me keeps its customers at the heart of the product delivery process, and how the renowned New Zealand website constantly strives to do better. This episode is a must-listen for product or business leaders looking to embrace a more customer-led mindset across their organization and teams.

The time we demystified investing for novices at a renowned news outlet

Our mission with one of Canada's largest news sources was to revitalize their existing stock market watchlist tool, creating a more intuitive and informative platform, particularly for new investors. This task was both ambitious and essential, aiming to simplify the complex world of stock market investment for a new generation.

Looking Glass 2024

In this 2024 edition, we’ve identified over 100 trends through five lenses that we see as defining the future of technology in business. Some of these trends are already shaping the way organizations operate, while others are somewhere on the horizon, attracting attention and conversation but firmly rooted in the future. As a business leader, it's critical to take a high-level view of the key trends shaping the world's businesses and technologies — regardless of current trends or future trends.

Elevating the wealth management experience

The greatest wealth transfer in history is currently happening as the Baby Boomer generation passes down their assets to their heirs. As this generation takes charge of their investments, they are actively looking for more contemporary approaches and are showing less interest in traditional legacy-focused wealth management systems. To find out what specifically resonates with this demographic, you can explore the latest edition of TWPerspectives.