Once something goes commercial, academics have to consider what progress would be research-worthy, rather than a half-baked prototype for a product or feature.

Companies can’t be expected to publish their confidential and proprietary information about their feature development, and academics should consider projects that would have higher impact.

If you’re taking up a seat in a PhD program tinkering with would-be feature ideas for an existing major tech company, you should really just get hired by that tech company, where the resources are abundant and the degree is not required.