Some great new ideas require a skewed vision of the world, a leap of the imagination, and a healthy dose of optimism to see through to the desired outcome. Other new technologies just make sense. Fool analyst Sean Sun prefers the latter. He's watching three companies that have the potential to change the landscape of their respective industries, because they're riding strong, common-sense, but still pretty cutting-edge ideas.
Customized communication
For a small business, a giant telecommunication system makes about as much sense as a minivan does for a young bachelor. It's expensive, packed with unnecessary features, and incredibly uncool. 8x8
Sean agrees:
VoIP is such good quality now that you're not losing anything from traditional telecom equipment, and the easier you can make it for your customers the better. At this point, it's a marketing game for 8x8. They can't match AT&T on technology, but if they can give lower-cost, customer-specific service, it just makes sense.
He still needs to determine what sets 8x8 apart from other VoIP telecom providers, but he loves seeing a disruptive technology shaking up the industry's staid behemoths.
Zapping data
Another potentially game-changing yet logical technology comes from NXP Semiconductors
Google
The YouTube of China
Finally, as anyone who has watched videos of cats playing pianos or any of the OK Go videos knows, YouTube has changed lives. Sean has his eye on Youku.com
"If the Google/Baidu
The company is still in the land-grab phase of development, and it's only marginally profitable at best. But once it turns its attention to monetization, Sean thinks it'll become a stellar growth story that just makes sense.
You can click here on 8x8, NXP Semiconductors, or Youku.com to start tracking any of these companies on www.MyWatchlist.com, a free new service from the Fool. When you do, you'll also have instant access to the new free report, "Six Stocks to Watch from David and Tom Gardner." Or click here to get started now.