2021 is set to be an epoch-making year for consumer electronics: 2020 set the stage for the rapid adoption of technology. In many ways, the expedited pace of technological adoptions feels more like a 10 year leap into the future. Digital Darwinism has led to many businesses, who were conventionally averse to cutting edge technology, adopt digital first business models to ensure business models in a bid to stay afloat.
Many of these trends have also spilled on to consumer electronics. Ironically, unlike other industries, the demand for consumer electronics witnessed an unprecedented spike as more people moved to work-from-home. Society, people, and businesses have been driving the trends for consumer electronics in 2021. These factors coupled with the advent of 5G, Internet of Things, and democratization of technology has led to an interesting time for consumer electronics. At the time of writing, the industry is also grappling with an unprecedented semiconductor shortage.
Based on insights from Forbes, let’s take a deeper look at some of the key facets shaping the future of consumer electronics in 2021 and beyond.
COVID influenced tech
Let’s get the elephant out of the room first: The fight against the pandemic played a huge role in the development of various consumer electronics and technologies. For instance, Razer, a well known brand for gaming laptops and accessories, used its technological flair to create the Project Hazel smart n95-grade face mask which has an array of features like voice projection, VU sterilization capacities and even multicolored LED lights. Another trend is the use of smart thermometers: Used to detect and predict viral spread and outbreaks as well as collect data from a plethora of home-based devices.
An autonomous anti-COVID robot by LG that disinfects surfaces and spaces using UV-C has been used in many hospitals, schools, and SMART buildings. Since the virus can remain in closed confined spaces with little sun-light.
Key tech players like Omkron Healthcare, Philips, and ICON (South Korea based company) have brought to the market their ‘remote health monitoring platform. Apart from this wearables and smart devices are being incorporated with features for smart health tracking, especially in the vulnerable like the elderly and diabetes patients.
Finally, for people who are in essential job roles and need to travel outside, companies like Targus have unveiled an anti-microbial backpack that specific materials built inti its fiber mesh that prevent and resist bacteria and viruses.
Work from home tech
Working from home and e-learning has had a tenable impact on consumer electronics. Computer manufacturers to furniture are trying to get on the work from home bandwagon. They are all offering solutions that make sense in the new normal.
For instance, if you are looking for an office chair that is the epitome of comfort and functionality, the X-Chair’s X-HMT comes pretty close. It is not only designed with your ideal comfort ergonomics in mind but also provides excellent support: It has built-in massage and heating functions. There are many such solutions that enhance your comfort while working from home and also throw technology into the mix. For instance, the Roto VR chair also throws in virtual reality functions to enhance your work from home experience.
It is well known that OLED technology is easy on the eyes, literally speaking. Compared to conventional IPS LCD or TFT it has at least 60 percent less blue-light and can adjust better to dimmer surroundings due to its deep blacks and high contrast levels. Which is why, many device manufacturers like Samsung, LG, Xiaomi, and Asus among others are increasing incorporating OLED based screens that are eye-friendly: Everything from mobile devices, tablets, to laptops find an increasing proliferation of OLED technology. Another trend is the proliferation of cheap Chromebooks that are ideal for e-learning, basic office work, and video streaming with a long battery life and great performance.
A tech utopia?
Technology is the backbone of the world that we live in today. The goal for consumer electronics is to weave seamless and organic experiences that are almost akin to a natural extension of the human senses. The new normal has led to the democratization of tech: AMOLED screens that were once solely the bastion of very expensive devices can now be found in phones that carry a low price tag. The advent of 5G, semiconductor shortage, and cloud adoption too is set to change how consumer electronics and perceived in the near future.
Value chains for electronics are also becoming more hyper local with the aim to reduce single source dependencies.
As per researchandmarkets, by 2025, the Indian consumer electronics market shall be worth USD 118.4 billion.
