Apart from the disruptions that COVID-19 brought to the world, the pandemic has also accelerated the pace of tech innovation and adoption. When organizations switched to remote working and virtual interactions, it was difficult for employees to acclimatize to the transition initially. However, as months passed, people became familiar with the change and, in fact, learned to embrace it. As per a survey, 35% of respondents believe their productivity has increased manifold, while 52% preferred hybrid working over anything. Thanks to the innovative tools and technology that made this transition seamless and successful.
Against this backdrop, here are the top five trends leading the electronics sector:
Automation
When a significant part of the population was stuck at home for safety reasons and had to manage both office tasks and home chores, they started seeking convenience in what they do. This led to an uptick in demand for automatic home products like washing machines, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners, etc., that are capable of automating most manual chores and thus helping families save more time and ensure work-life balance. Moreover, as consumers grow more health and hygiene conscious, OEMs will focus more on launching comforting products like air conditioners and purifiers equipped with anti-bacterial technology to keep the home environment safe, clean, and virus-free.
Digital assistants
There is a good chance that you must already be using a digital assistant at home, be it Amazon Alexa or a Google Assistant. While in their nascent stage, these will likely get integrated with the overall remote work we do every day. For instance, making calls, sending emails, taking notes, and whatnot. This way, you can be a multi-tasker, doing office tasks while cooking, cleaning, and performing other household chores. Imagine a world where you are just giving commands and getting all your work done by the digital assistants. How cool would it be, right?
VR and AR
We are already familiar with shopping online. In fact, now we only need a smartphone and internet to buy whatever we need. But VR and AR can take this shopping experience to new heights. An interesting example would be Ikea’s AR app, where a customer can browse the company’s catalog, place 3D furniture in their physical setting and make better and informed buying decisions. Meaning, you will know precisely how furniture will look like when placed at home. Similarly, Lenskart also provides free eyewear with AR Try-On, enabling consumers to try various frames virtually and then decide what suits them the best. That’s the power of AR! As we advance, more brands will follow suit and in fact, these technologies will also evolve and become advanced in terms of enhancing the overall user experience.
Smart TVs
Smart TVs are way smarter than what we think about them. today, these devices can do so much more than displaying news and TV shows. They come equipped with multiple advanced features. For instance, a video camera for enhanced virtual interactions with colleagues, friends, or family. These TVs also offer a wide array of gaming options, so you don’t need a video game separately. Also, these TVs support HD and even higher versions of display, which makes TV viewing more immersive and gaming better than ever. In fact, today’s smart TVs also have voice assistants, allowing users to give direct voice commands to the device and play their favorite TV shows or movies.
Mobility
In the post-pandemic world, people are scared to use public transport due to the fear of contracting the virus. Even when the world is gradually getting back to normal, most people are looking at minimizing physical interpersonal contact. Hence OEMs have started deploying improved vehicles, including electric scooters, bikes, and cars. Not only will these mobility solutions reduce carbon emissions but also ensure enhanced convenience to users. As the charging infrastructure develops more, the demand for e-vehicles will only increase in the coming years due to government subsidies that will make these mobility solutions more affordable for the common man.
In closing
With brands striving to experiment and innovate with evolving technologies, the world is envisioned to see more advancements in the electronics industry. Digital transformations have already been there. However, COVID-19 has further pushed companies to invest more in these tools to up their game. The future is digital, and for a good reason.
About the author
Justin Zhong
Head of Marketing, TCL India
Justin comes with more than 9 years of experience in the marketing field. Currently, he is heading the marketing department of TCL India, responsibilities include- Developing launch strategy for new products and overall marketing planning; overseeing the whole creative / redefine process of brand identity & personality; managing marketing/digital campaigns to establish and maintain product credibility and sustainability; monitoring the consumer behaviours, studying the latest market trends, and identifying the potential growth opportunities.
