Trends in Mobile Computing for 2016

As we begin to wind down 2015 (where did the time go?!) we’re beginning to look forward to 2016 and what the year may bring for computing. In this post we’ll take a look at some of the current trends in mobile computing, and where we predict they will take us in the New Year.

2-in-1 Tablet/Laptop Hybrids

A few years ago, the Microsoft Surface was dominating the 2-in-1 Tablet/Laptop Hybrid scene, but in the three years since its debut, just about every major brand, including Apple, have released their own versions. The convenience of a tablet with the ability to click on a full-sized keyboard is a great feature for business people and students, who are constantly on the go, or the average user who just wants something lightweight to use while sitting on the couch.

As mobile computing shifts from a matter of convenience to a matter of course, you can bet that brands will continue to improve and expand their product offerings.

If you’re looking for some great 2-in-1 options, Tech Radar published a great roundup of reviews at the beginning of this month.

Wearable Tech

One of the trends that industry analysts are expecting to have a huge boom next year – even larger than this year’s explosion onto the market – is wearable tech. Just about every company that makes mobile devices has come out with a watch model to complement their smartphones, and it’s expected that the capabilities of these items will only continue to grow. That said, the wearable tech industry isn’t expected to remain complacent with just watches. There are now clothing brands (mostly those that focus on sportswear) that are coming out with workout gear with embedded fitness tracking sensors to monitor heart rate, pulse, steps, etc. These items have begun to hit the web with mixed-reviews by various tech and fitness writers. For the most part people seem a little put off by the price ($199.00 for a pair of socks is extreme!), but it’s entirely possible that as the market for this type of tech continues to grow, prices will drop to more affordable levels.

Smartphones

Unsurprisingly, there’s no slowing down in the smartphone market. While many people may speculate that the innovation of the smartphone era is over (after all, how much thinner can they possibly make these phones?) Apple and Samsung, two of the leaders of the market, continue adding features and improving hardware. There are also rumors of curved screens and flexible handsets, both of which would be marked improvements in an industry where products are coveted for their compactness and then made larger by adding on huge protective cases.

That said, the biggest leaps and bounds in the smartphone realm will actually be in expanding markets. Research shows that there are presently 1 billion smartphone in use across the globe, and it’s expected that in 2016 that number will grow exponentially as large markets such as India, Indonesia, and Brazil begin closing the technology gap.

If your company is interested receiving information on how TSI can assist you with keeping up with the latest tech trends, or if you’d like to set up an assessment to determine just how proficient your security, data management, and/or infrastructure are, please feel free to give us a call at (508) 543-6979.