We're celebrating our 20th birthday, and we've invited industry experts, researchers and scientists to write in and paint a vision of the future, 20 years from now. Mr Tasleem Arif of OPPO talks about customer needs and vision being the perfect blend for the future of tech.
"We would like to congratulate Digit on its 20th Anniversary. Digit is known for the impartial and in-depth stories they have been covering over the years, and we hope that this continues over the years as well. Kudos to the team and we at OPPO hope to continue reading the interesting technology stories in the future as well.”– Tasleem Arif
Innovators and users today share a co-dependent dynamic with one inspiring the other and simultaneously changing the way they operate. Together they have modified and modelled our culture, beliefs, and lifestyle, and it is no surprise that this will continue to evolve over time.
The evolution of smartphones is a perfect example of how our lifestyle revolves around the technology we use and how it has become a critical driving force for the development of our surroundings. From nowhere, in a few short years to become the world’s most popular internet access device, smartphones today offer various innovations such as front-facing cameras, stabilization, better hardware for 4G, 5G, Wi-Fi connectivity etc. That apart, from display to design, other hardware features have also undergone rapid transformation today.
While many such innovations are great, we cannot deny that a large part of what makes smartphones attractive to many people is how well the hardware and software integrate with each other.
A phone may have the most powerful processor in the world, but if the software running on it is not best optimized or if the battery doesn’t last even a day without charging, that may directly impact user experience. In fact, a study by Cybermedia Research stated that more than 50% of smartphone users believed that Smartphone OS is absolutely key for the overall consumer experience and delight.
Here’s a glimpse of some future trends that will drive how consumers are driven by OS consideration: –
Privacy concerns and digitization go hand in hand
With Indians having more and more access to smartphones each year, we are fast progressing on the goal to be digital. It acts as a catalyst for digital transformation, which has been further fast-tracked due to the pandemic. Today, we do see globally acclaimed and strict protocols when it comes to collecting, using, storing, or transferring user data.
Today, newer privacy features like Private System, Auto Reset permissions, and App Lock shortcuts can help users create second versions of apps that will run independently of the original app. It is also interesting to see how a Private system is not just restricted to apps, but users can also use this feature to protect all other personal documents such as private files, pictures, documents etc. Therefore, there is a need for us as innovators and marketers to look at privacy and security from the bottom up.
These are just a few examples to say that such technologies can help mitigate a whole class of vulnerabilities improving the security of both the OS and the apps running on it.
Now consume that last 1% for another 20 minutes.
We have all been talking about the future of batteries for a decade now. Brands have now introduced innovative features by learning the user's charging habits and adjusting the charging behaviour to suit their needs.
I recently came across a study by the University of Cambridge that highlighted how the smartphone could be charged 100% in just 5 minutes. Can you imagine the impact of such technology on our lives?
Fast charging technology is soon expected to broaden out from phones to other hardware, such as tablets, watches, laptops, Bluetooth headsets and more. But it could also support smart home appliances – even industrial equipment, like automated guided vehicles in warehouses. And in the future, the standardization of this technology could help to improve compatibility, meaning one charger is capable of charging numerous devices. As charging power has continued to increase, heating and safety issues have become more prominent. At the same time, higher standards are being put forward for the reliability and power loss of charging systems too – a key area for ongoing research.
Let’s not forget my personal favourite – Gaming
Mobile gaming has exploded during the last couple of years. There were 2.69 billion mobile game players in 2020 globally. In addition, mobile games dominated the App Store revenue share (66%). As a result, brands are now working round-the-clock to introduce new features that will not only enhance the gaming experience for users but take the experience to an all-new level. Introducing frame stability, touch sensitivity, multitasking features, and different modes have made my experience effortless.
The latest addition is the new technologies such as AR/VR gaming in smartphones that industry leaders are talking about. It will be interesting to see how the industry leverages this technology to the opportunities available and rides the wave to woo the customers in the best way possible.
The future
Smartphones are becoming more intelligent by ably and accurately reading data generated by your usage of them. For example, a phone can always tell your location, the speed with which you’re moving, your temperature and lately even your heartbeat.
With all the information we share on social media, phones can also pick up what you love or hate to do and what you ate today. It can literally understand your habits and lifestyle. A smartphone currently collects a lot of data about you using its inbuilt sensors that it’s possible to predict the future or give you vital information concerning your life.
All of the changes only indicate that with evolving technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI)and Machine Learning (ML), hardware and software are going to have to work together to create a whole new dimension in the functionality of devices.
By Tasleem Arif – Vice President, India R&D Head · OPPO
To read what other industry leaders and experts have to say about the future in their respective fields, visit our 20th Anniversary Microsite.
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