Flex Case Studies Rapid Prototyping and Market Entry: Google Chromecast's Success Story with Flex

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	Rapid Prototyping and Market Entry: Google Chromecast's Success Story with Flex Flex

Rapid Prototyping and Market Entry: Google Chromecast's Success Story with Flex

Flex

Technology Category	Analytics & Modeling - Real Time Analytics Platform as a Service (PaaS) - Device Management Platforms
Applicable Industries	Electronics Equipment & Machinery
Applicable Functions	Product Research & Development
Use Cases	Time Sensitive Networking Virtual Prototyping & Product Testing
Challenge	Google's entry into the streaming media market was a strategic move to bring online media streaming to an unprecedented mass market. The challenge was to create a disruptive device that could be used in living rooms worldwide. Google partnered with Flex to take the Chromecast from idea to concept to worldwide production. The design and engineering challenges included creating a device that was small in size, competitively priced, had wireless capabilities, and could manage temperature effectively. The goal was to design a prototype of the Chromecast in just four weeks and speed up the time to market, beating competitors on both market entry and price. Read More
About Customer	Google is a multinational technology company that specializes in Internet-related services and products. These include search engines, online advertising technologies, cloud computing, software, and hardware. Google's business objective was to enter the streaming media market and bring online media streaming to an unprecedented mass market. They aimed to create a disruptive device that could be used in living rooms worldwide. To achieve this, Google partnered with Flex to take the Chromecast from idea to concept to worldwide production. Read More
Solution	Google engaged with Flex, sharing only rudimentary concepts of its product, seeking a partner to design, engineer, and manufacture the device at scale. The gadget would allow users to instantly 'cast' content from mobile devices or laptops to television screens. Flex engineers designed an octagonal-shaped, printed circuit board — an unprecedented form factor — and solved other significant technological challenges. The design of the circuit board took advantage of the gaps between circuits to disperse heat so it wouldn’t burn the circuitry. Flex developed an antenna with a ribbon nestled between the layers of the circuit board that could sniff out a signal from behind a flat-screen. Together, Google and Flex designed a working prototype in just four weeks. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Analytics & Modeling - Real Time Analytics

Platform as a Service (PaaS) - Device Management Platforms

Applicable Industries

Electronics

Equipment & Machinery

Applicable Functions

Product Research & Development

Use Cases

Time Sensitive Networking

Virtual Prototyping & Product Testing

Challenge

Google's entry into the streaming media market was a strategic move to bring online media streaming to an unprecedented mass market. The challenge was to create a disruptive device that could be used in living rooms worldwide. Google partnered with Flex to take the Chromecast from idea to concept to worldwide production. The design and engineering challenges included creating a device that was small in size, competitively priced, had wireless capabilities, and could manage temperature effectively. The goal was to design a prototype of the Chromecast in just four weeks and speed up the time to market, beating competitors on both market entry and price.

About Customer

Google is a multinational technology company that specializes in Internet-related services and products. These include search engines, online advertising technologies, cloud computing, software, and hardware. Google's business objective was to enter the streaming media market and bring online media streaming to an unprecedented mass market. They aimed to create a disruptive device that could be used in living rooms worldwide. To achieve this, Google partnered with Flex to take the Chromecast from idea to concept to worldwide production.

Solution

Google engaged with Flex, sharing only rudimentary concepts of its product, seeking a partner to design, engineer, and manufacture the device at scale. The gadget would allow users to instantly 'cast' content from mobile devices or laptops to television screens. Flex engineers designed an octagonal-shaped, printed circuit board — an unprecedented form factor — and solved other significant technological challenges. The design of the circuit board took advantage of the gaps between circuits to disperse heat so it wouldn’t burn the circuitry. Flex developed an antenna with a ribbon nestled between the layers of the circuit board that could sniff out a signal from behind a flat-screen. Together, Google and Flex designed a working prototype in just four weeks.

Impact #1	The collaboration between Google and Flex brought the Chromecast design to life and got the device into consumers’ hands at a staggering pace. This partnership allowed Google to maintain its leadership position in the market. The resulting size and curves of the Chromecast differentiated it from its competitors. The design of the circuit board took advantage of the gaps between circuits to disperse heat so it wouldn’t burn the circuitry. Flex developed an antenna with a ribbon nestled between the layers of the circuit board that could sniff out a signal from behind a flat-screen. This innovative design and rapid market entry set Chromecast apart from its competitors.

Impact #1

The collaboration between Google and Flex brought the Chromecast design to life and got the device into consumers’ hands at a staggering pace. This partnership allowed Google to maintain its leadership position in the market. The resulting size and curves of the Chromecast differentiated it from its competitors. The design of the circuit board took advantage of the gaps between circuits to disperse heat so it wouldn’t burn the circuitry. Flex developed an antenna with a ribbon nestled between the layers of the circuit board that could sniff out a signal from behind a flat-screen. This innovative design and rapid market entry set Chromecast apart from its competitors.

Benefit #1	Designed a working prototype in just four weeks.
Benefit #2	Google began selling its Chromecast streaming sticks for $35 in July 2013, offering a more accessible alternative to competitors’ $100+ dollar products.
Benefit #3	Flex manufactured 7 million of the devices during the first four months of production.

Benefit #1

Designed a working prototype in just four weeks.

Benefit #2

Google began selling its Chromecast streaming sticks for $35 in July 2013, offering a more accessible alternative to competitors’ $100+ dollar products.

Benefit #3

Flex manufactured 7 million of the devices during the first four months of production.

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Overview

Rapid Prototyping and Market Entry: Google Chromecast's Success Story with Flex

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit