Lessons from General Magic

As the founder of an AI, automation, and robotics firm, it is important to take inspiration from the successes and failures of those who have come before. One such cautionary tale comes from General Magic, a pioneering company that helped pave the way for today’s smartphones and mobile devices. Despite being staffed by some of the most talented and visionary individuals in the tech industry, General Magic ultimately failed to bring their products to market. In this article, we will explore the product management lessons that can be learned from the story of General Magic.

Lesson #1: Start with a clear vision. General Magic had a clear vision for what they wanted to accomplish, but they failed to translate that vision into a viable product. For example, their first product, the Magic Cap operating system, was too far ahead of its time, with hardware that was too expensive and too slow to support its capabilities.

Lesson #2: Focus on user needs. General Magic was so focused on their vision that they failed to take into account the needs of their users. For example, the company’s second product, the Sony Magic Link, was too bulky and expensive, and failed to address the needs of the average consumer.

Lesson #3: Develop a strong product management process. General Magic lacked a strong product management process, which contributed to their inability to bring their products to market. For example, the company had difficulty managing their partnerships, which led to delays and ultimately contributed to their downfall.

Lesson #4: Iterate quickly and often. General Magic had a tendency to over-engineer their products, which led to delays and missed opportunities. For example, the company spent too much time developing the Sony Magic Link, which was ultimately released too late to compete effectively in the market.

Lesson #5: Be willing to pivot. General Magic was so committed to their vision that they failed to pivot when it became clear that their approach wasn’t working. For example, the company continued to focus on hardware development even as it became clear that software was the key to success in the emerging mobile market.

Despite their ultimate failure, General Magic was responsible for several groundbreaking ideas that have since been embraced by the tech industry. For example, the company was one of the first to develop a mobile operating system that could run on multiple devices, paving the way for today’s ubiquitous smartphones and tablets. They also pioneered the concept of mobile messaging, which has since become a multi-billion dollar industry.

At Ingen Dynamics, we have taken these lessons to heart as we develop our own products. We recognize that having a pool of talented individuals is not enough to ensure success – it is also critical to have a strong product management process in place that emphasizes user needs, quick iteration, and a willingness to pivot when necessary. By learning from the successes and failures of those who have come before, we are confident that we can build products that will make a meaningful impact on the world.