What will the big technology trends of 2016 be?
Well, Ericsson ConsumerLab has released their findings on what they feel will trend in 2016.
In the report, “The 10 Hottest Consumer Trends for 2016 and Beyond,” ConsumerLab finds that consumers believe artificial intelligence (AI) will soon enable interaction with objects without the need for a smartphone screen. Furthermore, half of all smartphone users expect smartphones to become things of the past within the next five years.
The report also shows that the adoption of networked technologies moves faster than ever making mass-market use the norm quicker. As a result, the time period when early adopters influence others is now shorter than before.
"Some of these trends may seem futuristic. But consumer interest in new interaction paradigms such as AI and virtual reality (VR), as well as in embedding the internet in the walls of homes or even in our bodies, is quite strong,” said Michael Björn, head of research, Ericsson ConsumerLab.
The ten trends for 2016 are:
1) The Lifestyle Network Effect. Four out of five people now experience an effect where the benefits gained from online services increases as more people use them. Globally, one in three consumers already participates in various forms of the sharing economy.
2) Streaming Natives. Teenagers watch more YouTube video content daily than other age groups. And 46 percent of 16-19 year olds spend an hour or more on YouTube every day.
3) AI Ends The Screen Age. Artificial intelligence will enable interaction with objects without the need for a smartphone screen.
4) Virtual Gets Real. Consumers want virtual technology for everyday activities such as watching sports and making video calls and 44 percent even want to print their own food.
5) Sensing Homes. About 55 percent of smartphone owners believe bricks used to build homes could include sensors that monitor mold, leakage and electricity issues within the next five years. As a result, the concept of smart homes may need to be rethought from the ground up.
6) Smart Commuters. Commuters want to use their time meaningfully and not feel like passive objects in transit. In all, 86 percent of commuters would use personalized commuting services if they were available.
7) Emergency Chat. Social networks may become the preferred way to contact emergency services. Six out of ten consumers are interested in a disaster information app.
8) Internables. Internal sensors that measure wellbeing in our bodies may become the new wearables. Eight out of 10 consumers would like to use technology to enhance sensory perceptions and cognitive abilities such as vision, memory and hearing.
9) Everything Gets Hacked. Most smartphone users believe hacking and viruses will continue to be an issue. As a positive side effect, one in five say they have greater trust in an organization that was hacked but then solved the problem.
10) Netizen Journalists. Consumers share more information than ever and believe it increases their influence on society. More than a third believes blowing the whistle on a corrupt company online has greater impact than going to the police.
So, 2016 looks to continue our technology journey further than ever before with AI really taking over. Time will tell if all of ConsumerLab’s findings come to fruition or not.
Edited by
Ken Briodagh
