I doubt anybody will ever see this response, but about the Hoverboard, here it is:
Hoverboards are originally from China [1] however, most of us have likely learned about them from Kickstarter etc. I think the users of HN would agree that "invention is never a sudden thing". The process for hoverboards has been iterative, of course. I have heard claims of having commercial hoverboards as much as five years before they became household names in the US.
Hover boards are a poor knockoff of a segway. There was even a stickless version hacked up by someone in the US a few weeks after the Segway's release. This dates back to patents filed in 1994.
Re:China Blocks WhatsApp
by chaostheory on Tuesday September 26, 2017 @10:49AM
(#15339129)
Actually the video confirms that the hoverboard was created by a Chinese American, living in Seattle, who also patented it. The Chinese versions even look identical to the patent filing.
Have you heard about a certain drone manufacturer, DJI?
I'm certainly not saying that there aren't actual Chinese products that are selling. It's just not the norm. DJI is a great company but not indicative of the general ecosystem of China.
Re:China Blocks WhatsApp
by moreorless on Monday September 25, 2017 @07:17PM
(#15334942)
There are a lot of Chinese companies that are doing amazing things that many of us in the West have not heard of. Have you heard of Broad?
Re:China Blocks WhatsApp
by dreamfactored on Monday September 25, 2017 @06:39PM
(#15334757)
You are right that today DJI is exceptional and represents the cutting edge - but that in itself is indicative of what is normal in the future.
I know what you're point seems to be even though you aren't communicating it very well. I do think you're missing the fact that producing goods cheaply does not make you a leader in tech. Besides quick fads like hoverboards or fidget spinners China does not have much traction with actually producing and selling products. Things might be made in China but they are designed by foreign companies and the vast majority of the profit leaves the country.