How is new computer technology introduced to the public?

[Lonryman]

First: Who invents new technologies i.e. Optical disk formats.
Second: How does a company make sure it's new technology is compatible with computers?
Finally: How is this sold among the public i.e. is it just advertised or do other companies such as the computer manufacturer have to integrate it into their products?

 

[fss]

1. Usually a company with a vested interest in developing storage formats.
2. Product testing.
3. Either way, usually both.

 

[MATLABdude]

Very frequently, you'll see consortiums of industry (and sometimes academia) working together to standardize and bring forth various technologies (e.g. the USB working group, the various Wi-Fi standards, etc.) Sometimes, this includes generic drivers that get distributed in various operating systems. Sometimes, there are a few different competing implementations / technologies (e.g. BetaMax vs. VHS, HD-DVD vs. Blu-Ray):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Videotape_format_war
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_definition_optical_disc_format_war