Samsung At The Team USA Road To Rio Tour Stop In Boston (Photo : Getty Images)
A survey made on behalf of Ericsson found that many consumers see 2021 as the year when smartphones would be a relic from the past. By then, the technology would be replaced by artificial intelligence (AI).
ConsumerLab conducted the survey which had over 100,000 customers from Sweden and 39 other countries. It is part of the "10 Hot Consumer Trends for 2016" report that claims it represents the views of 1.1 billion people from 24 nations.
According to Rebecka Cedering Angstrom of Ericsson ConsumerLab, holding a smartphone is not practical all the time such as when someone is cooking or driving a car. There are also a lot of instances when display screens are difficult to read, reports The Telegraph.
With evolving technology, she foresees being able to watch sports events and having the ability to choose where to see the game from different places in the stands or from the pitch. Another possible area is to shop for shoes and trying it virtually if the footwear fits.
Michael Bjorn, head of research at Ericsson ConsumerLab, admits some of the trends may appear now as futuristic. However, he explains, "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. This means we could soon see new consumer product categories appearing - and whole industries transforming - to accommodate this development."
Among the other trends predicted in the report are an increasing reliance on online services, more streaming users, bricks to build homes would have sensors to monitor mold, leaks and electricity issues and the use of social networks to contact emergency services.
Bjorn adds, "Most of the services we are using now are actually online. This is accumulated on a lifestyle level and it does change how people think about things and act in everyday life," quotes Fox.
