Trend 1 DARQ POWER #TECHVISION2019 REALIZING NEW VALUE FROM EXISTING INVESTMENTS As DARQ technologies reach maturity, they will amplify the reach life and storage, the company has improved those features and capabilities of the business, creating new value from existing and, therefore, the Gear VR experience with each new model.25 SMAC investments. While quantum computers will be necessary to power next- Consider how distributed ledgers will work with social platforms. generation technologies, they remain too fragile and Social media created huge and powerful ecosystems and networks expensive for every company to have one. But several leaders of people, but serious pain points like fake news and inadequate in quantum computing have already released software data privacy protections have emerged. Now, distributed ledgers platforms that enable connections to their quantum can give people more agency, helping them verify information and computers via the cloud. Rigetti gives businesses access to control their data.23 Skycoin BBS, for instance, is a distributed social 8-qubit and 19-quibit quantum machines as part of its hybrid platform with no central server or central authority, so people can Quantum Cloud Services platform.26 Alibaba’s cloud service retain their privacy.24 Taking the lead on integrating distributed subsidiary, Aliyun, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences ledger capabilities into social platforms has given businesses a new launched a joint 11-qubit quantum computing service, which way to gain value and distinguish themselves from competitors. they encouraged researchers to use to run algorithms and conduct early quantum experiments.27 Early progress with XR is also closely tied to a major digital technology—mobile. For XR to shape and augment the world at any Strong digital foundations in SMAC will let businesses explore given time, businesses must navigate network connectivity, DARQ technologies in their early stages—a must if companies application development, and processing power. Those with want to stay ahead of competitors. Later, when DARQ successful mobile practices or products will be better prepared for technologies reach full maturity, they will amplify the value of this wave. Already, many VR headsets rely on mobile phones: the earlier technology investments, extending the business into Samsung Gear VR is powered by Android Galaxy phones, and the future. though early complaints about mobile VR centered around battery 25 TECHNOLOGY VISION 2019 THE POST-DIGITAL ERA IS UPON US