# Anti-Upgrade Instead of trading for new devices, consumers are opting for cost-effective mods. By [Michael Hemsworth](https://www.trendhunter.com/Michael.Hemsworth), Contributing Researcher | Published Mar 7, 2014 | Category: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/technology-trends-and-gadgets) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/afterthought-storage ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.1/10 - Evidence articles: 5 ## What is the Anti-Upgrade trend? **Anti-Upgrade:** With the advent of photo-centric social media sites like Instagram and Pinterest, the dramatic rise in photography has lead to a need for increased storage. Preferring a downstream approach to device upgrading, add-on storage devices are allowing consumers to save photos and data while travelling for optimizing gadget experience. As consumer data levels reach new peaks, the acceptance of higher storage devices and aftermarket tech accessories are satiating consumer demand to capture, create and store without previous constraints. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 5 featured examples - Articles from: Jul 28, 2013 to Jan 29, 2014 - Published: Mar 7, 2014 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence), [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Simplicity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/simplicity), [Many to Many](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/many-to-many) ## Audience - Gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Anti-Upgrade trend ### Mobile Storage Devices The increase in photo-centric social media sites like Instagram and Pinterest is leading to the need for higher storage devices such as mobile storage solutions like smartphones enabled USB drives, storage-boosting smartphone cases, and portable pocket computers. ### Wireless Storage Solutions The transition from hard connections to wireless technology continues to be a trend with products such as wireless storage stations and compact portable media streamers making the transition organic. ### Multi-Functional Storage Devices Devices such as Mophie's space pack and LaCie Fuel provide multi-functional solutions to the issues many power users face such as limited phone storage and the need for backup batteries. ## What the Anti-Upgrade trend means for industry ### For Mobile Technology The trend in mobile storage and wireless storage solutions is one that mobile technology professionals can adopt to provide more storage options, especially as social media becomes increasingly photo-centric. ### For Consumer Electronics Consumer electronics professionals can incorporate multi-functional storage devices into their product lines to solve the issues of limited phone storage and the need for backup batteries. ### For Cloud Computing The trend in wireless storage solutions and mobile storage devices provide cloud computing professionals with an opportunity to create more efficient and cost-effective cloud solutions. ## Trend signals for Anti-Upgrade Trend score 3.1 out of 10, from popularity 47%, activity 39%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 47% - Activity: 39% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Anti-Upgrade trend 5 featured examples from Jul 28, 2013 to Jan 29, 2014. - [Smartphone-Enabled USB Drives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/micro-usb-drive): The New Sony Micro USB Drive Works with Tablets and Smartphones (Category: Tech) Implication: Smartphone-compatible USB drives present an opportunity for mobile device manufacturers to innovate and integrate these drives directly into their products. - [Portable Pocket Computers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tango-super-pc): The New Tango Super PC Can Easily Fit in the Back of Your Pants (Category: Tech) Implication: The portable computer trend creates opportunities for computer hardware companies to innovate and improve on the latest technology to make computers smaller and more portable. - [Wireless Storage Stations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sandisk-connect-wireless-flash-drive): The SanDisk Connect Wireless Flash Drive Allows for Over-the-Air Backups (Category: Tech) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore advancements in wireless storage technology that can revolutionize data storage and accessibility. - [Compact Portable Media Streamers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lacie-fuel): LaCie Fuel Brings Up to a Terabyte of Content with You Anywhere (Category: Tech) Implication: The portable media streamer industry can benefit from incorporating extended storage capabilities and wireless access features like the LaCie Fuel, creating disruptive innovations… - [Storage-Boosting Smartphone Cases](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/space-pack): The Space Back Solves Storage & Battery Problems at CES 2014 (Category: Tech) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity for companies to create smartphone cases and accessories that enhance storage and battery capabilities. ## Recent trend clusters - [Automated Upkeep](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/automated-upkeep) (Tech) - [Ambient Assistance](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/ambient-assistance) (Tech) - [Autonomy Stacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/autonomy-stacks) (Tech) - [Connected Filtration](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/connected-filtration) (Tech) ## Trending in Tech - [Accessible Fintech Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chequing-account) - [Variable Aperture Smartphone Cameras](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/iphone-18) - [Dual-Wavelength Recovery Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/joint-therapy) - [Self-Cleaning Smart Vacuums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tinecos-pure-one-station-5) All articles: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech)