Smartphone technology has advanced from luxury to the necessary in a number of years. The industry of mobile technology has boomed as a result, and 2016 is expected to see a significant increase in the number of mobile devices sold, according to technology research firm Gartner.
This consistent growth of mobile technology is hardly surprising, considering it has integrated itself as a key part of our daily lives. Not only does smartphone software and features help to improve our fitness, organization and work productivity, but the vast amount of entertainment and sense of connectivity has become invaluable to users.
Experts are already predicting further innovation in the market, with radical changes being made to the mobile platform over the next couple of years. One major change that is emerging is wearable devices. Current releases already include display devices, such as Google Glass, and smart watches. The future will see a rise of availability in these sorts of products, with smartphones acting as a hub for this personal network.
These wearable gadgets will work in sync with installed smartphone apps in order to communicate information, such as messages and emails, as well as providing new experiences in tracking everything from sport and fitness to healthcare and fashion.
By 2018, the market sector for wearable technology will be worth an estimated $30 billion. While this is impressive, it remains only a fraction of the $168 billion that was generated by the smartphone market back in 2012. Online traffic for the technology will account for only 0.5% of global smartphone traffic, with many seeing them as a novel addition rather than a replacement for the latest mobile releases.
In addition to this, Nick Jones, VP and analyst for Gartner, is expecting the emergence of high-precision location sensing to emerge over the coming years. As well as assisting in the delivery of relevant information and services dependent on the user’s location, this could have major implications for law enforcement.
As more international markets begin to legalize online gambling, geo-location technology is hugely important in assuring users in prohibited areas do not access certain sites. However, those on the border of states and areas where the activity has been legalized could fall under the radar. This high-precision sensing will therefore not only enable personalized services and information, but could help to ensure that only players in regulated states can access games and join bingo sites and other real-money gaming platforms.
Overall, the application of mobile technology is expected to become more and more sophisticated over the coming years, delivering a more personal user experience. As smartphone usage continues to grow, new standards for Wi-Fi connectivity will be met and more mobile-connected smart objects will become available on the consumer market, including domestic and medical appliances. The mobile market will evolve with our personal and professional needs to further integrate itself as part of our day-to-day lives.
Comments