Power to Give is a unique initiative put together by HTC and Dr. David Anderson of the University of California, Berkeley, which will allow Android users to donate their unused processing power to research and science.
It’s estimated that if about one million HTC phones contribute to the Power to Give project, it would provide roughly the same about of processing power as one of the world’s supercomputers. Considering that HTC shipped out over 780 million Android phones in 2013 alone, some real strides could be made in research for cancer, AIDS, Alzheimer’s and even the search for extra-terrestrial life.
The app will enable users to specify which research initiative they would like to donate processing power to, while an Android device is charging and connected to Wi-Fi. The HTC Power to Give app is currently in beta mode, but it will be available for download from the Google Play store soon.
Passive Research-Supporting Apps
The HTC Power to Give App Donates Processing Power to Research
Trend Themes
1. Donation-based Computing - The Power to Give app exemplifies the trend of donation-based computing, where individuals can contribute their unused processing power to scientific research.
2. Crowdsourced Research - Power to Give taps into the potential of crowdsourced computing, allowing users to collectively provide the processing power of a supercomputer for various research initiatives.
3. Mobile Philanthropy - The rise of apps like Power to Give reflects the trend of mobile philanthropy, where individuals can easily contribute to charitable causes through their smartphones.
Industry Implications
1. Science and Research - The Power to Give app presents disruptive innovation opportunities by harnessing the unused processing power of smartphones to advance scientific research in fields like cancer, AIDS, and Alzheimer's.
2. Mobile Technology - The Power to Give app highlights the potential for disruptive innovation in the mobile technology industry, where smartphones can be utilized for charitable contributions and research support.
3. Healthcare and Biotechnology - The Power to Give app opens doors for disruptive innovation in the healthcare and biotechnology sectors, allowing for more efficient research and potentially groundbreaking discoveries.