Communications and services provider Ericsson has compiled a list of ten top consumer technology trends to expect in 2014.
The list is part of Ericsson's ConsumerLab report, which explores people’s values, behaviours and ways of using ICT products and services, according to a statement.
The ConsumerLab report is a global research programme based on annual interviews with over 100,000 individuals in more than 40 countries and 15 megacities.
Commenting about the expected trends for next year Michael Björn, head of research at ConsumerLab said, “The most important trend we see is the mass demand for apps and services across all industries and societal sectors, which has the potential to fundamentally change everyday life.”
Below from 1 to ten are the top trends Ericsson expects to see in how consumers use the internet and communicate in 2014 and beyond.
1. Apps change society: The fast global uptake of smartphones has completely changed the way we communicate and use the internet.This includes everything from shopping and daycare to communication with authorities, and transportation. Apps are becoming more important than what phone you use.
2. Your body is the new password: The demand for longer passwords with a mixture of numbers, letters and symbols – makes it almost impossible to remember. This is leading to growing interest in biometric alternatives - users prefer fingerprints to passwords.
3. The quantified self: About 40% of smartphone users want their phone to log all of their physical activities and 56% would like to monitor their blood pressure and pulse using a ring. There is interest in using self-tracking technology to generate personal data.
4. Internet expected everywhere: Having internet access in different locations is important to people. Consumers want a reliable indicator of internet coverage.
5. Smartphones reduce the digital divide: Internet access on a global scale is still inadequately and unequally distributed, giving rise to what is referred to as the digital divide. 51% of consumers globally feel that their mobile phone is the most important piece of technology – and for many it is becoming the primary device for internet use.
6. Online benefits outweigh concerns: The risks associated with being connected are becoming more apparent. 56% of daily internet users are concerned about privacy issues. However, only 4% say that they would actually use the internet less - consumers apply strategies to minimize risk.
7. Video on command: 38% of the respondents said they watch video clips recommended by their friends at least several times weekly.
8. Making my data visible: How consumers use apps to measure their usage - 37% of smartphone owners use apps to test their connection speed, while 48% of smartphone owners use apps to measure their data consumption.
9. Sensors in daily places: By the end of 2016 around 60% of smartphone owners believe that sensors will be used in everything from healthcare and public transport, to cars, homes and places of work.
10. Play, pause, resume elsewhere: As 19% of total streamed time is spent on phones or tablets, consumers are increasingly shifting the locations where they watch TV to suit their daily lives.
Click here to view the full report.
Share
