TECHNOLOGY
AS OF A 2013 report from Google and Ipsos , two thirds of Australians owned a smartphone — two thirds . This pervasive mobile technology has proven itself a game changer again and again in personal communication , e-commerce , mobile marketing , and how we see the world in general . It has created a culture hell bent on instant gratification and high performance expectations , so the industry — which was worth between $ 200 and $ 250 billion in 2014 — is constantly churning out new and innovative technology to keep up with demand .
For something so small to have carved out such a big part of our lives is quite a feat . So as technology continues to evolve and the smartphone game gets more competitive , we have our finger on the pulse of this year ’ s hottest smartphone trends .
Expected Trends This Year Smartphones and other mobile devices allow us to “ compute everywhere ,” which is Forbes ’ number one strategic technology trend for this year .
“ As smart — phone technology advances , smart-phones will be used in new contexts and environments ,” said Forbes ’ contributor Peter High . “ Along with wearables , smartphones will offer connected screens in the workplace and in public . User experience will be key .”
CES in January largely focused on the Internet of Things , another pervasive trend in 2015 . Smartphones are a major player in this move towards convenience , and will allow third-party designers and coders to produce apps allowing you to control the devices in your home ( from your lighting to your dishwasher and air condition ) with a touch of a button on your smartphone . We also wouldn ’ t be surprised if cell phone creators begin to incorporate this technology into the design of their phones in the next few years if the Internet of Things catches on as many hope it will .
Wearables — a completely separate yet completely dependent technology — will also shape the smartphone market this year . Smartwatches will be the most talked about , especially with the launch of Apple ’ s Watch this month . And as wearables join the mobile technology queue , health applications will be
16 May 2015