[dosh]

When RFID came out, investors and media argued that all products will have RFID embedded in just a few years.

Fast forward 10 years, we see RFID applied across logistics industry and some parts of finance/security, but it wasn't cut out for everyone everywhere. In the beginning, people argued that the distribution wasn't happening because RFID wasn't cheap enough, but with the recent production costs nearing cents, now it's evident that it's due to lack of clear use cases.

I do agree that the development of use cases requires more creativity and has a big room for innovation, but saying there's going to be a chip in every physical item sounds similar to "there's going to be Uber for everything."

I don't want to sound pessimistic, but I think as with all startups, you have to start with a clear problem (other than gaming/entertainment startups) and develop a customer value proposition compelling enough for an industry to emerge.

I'd bet more on VR having a broader implication in the next 10-20 years, and expect to see more digital items produced vs physical item ever created in the history of mankind.

[maceo]

Walmart has been pouring money into RFID as a replacement for barcodes since the mid-90's. Analysts have said that by mid-2000's, every product package would have an RFID chip. Fast forward to 2015 and we aren't any closer. Andreessen is a fool who got lucky.

[mkagenius]

There will be computers at every desks! Oh man, they were so wrong ;)

And internet too!

[paulddraper]

RFID is more recent and a closer comparison.