Entering the second quarter of 2014, the world of technology is shaping up to be dynamic, with smartphones still the darling of technological companies.
In terms of sales records and technological varieties, smartphones surpass other technologies. Yet, producers have other trends to develop to accompany smartphones. Ultrabooks, tablets and wearable devices are what they hope can garner big revenues.
Computing the Downward Graphics
Ultrabooks remain PC producers’ mainstay against the assault of the tablets. PC markets have been dominated by notebooks, but after the launch of the iPad in 2010, there has been a steady decline in the sales and shipments of notebooks.
The International Data Corporation (IDC) reports that, for 2014, the sales of tablets are set to rise
by 19.4 percent and worldwide shipments of desktop PCs and notebooks are forecast to total 278 million. A consumer survey by Gartner reveals that less than 8 percent of users would switch from computer to tablet; with twice that figure opting to switch to ultrabooks, instead.
Computer users have seen slow progress in new computer chips development, as producers seem to focus more on developing technologies for tablets or hybrid gadgets. Processor-wise, Intel’s Core i-series and AMD’s Core A series are what consumers have to contend with. And with Intel’s plan to delay the shipments of its low-powered Core i-series “Broadwell” chips, the market really does not have much to offer.
The power of traditional PCs to handle true computing experiences, such as multitasking capabilities, is what holds people to desktop computers and notebooks. With the producers of 256-gigabyte solid state drives, like Transcend, continuing to cut prices and pushing for more shipments, consumers can expect a better performance in their notebooks, especially in boot time and processes.
As Intel is now cutting down the prices of its quad-core Intel Atom processor notebooks, and producers are using this processor in their lower-price notebooks, consumers are getting the benefit.
For Indonesia, there is a growing optimism that sales will improve. The Indonesian Computer Businesses Association (APKOMINDO) expects the sales of PCs to pick up from May to August, especially by government institutions and departments. The general election is one reason cited to have an impact in the delay of computer procurement by state ministries and government institutions.
Ever-surging tablets
Most expect tablets to make a big splash this year. Despite the forecast revealing this year’s expansion to be much less than it was in 2013—shipments will still reach 260.9 million units worldwide (Source: IDC).
Tablets have become part of daily life in many countries. Apple and Android remain the world’s two biggest names in tablets. Samsung remains the dominant player in the world, selling 37.4 million tablets in 2013, which in turn helped increase Android shares of the tablet market to 61.9 percent against Apple’s 36 percent.
Pretty much the same thing has happened in Indonesia. Many Indonesians say Samsung is the one brand they would like to have. The wide range of Samsung Galaxy tablets makes it easy for consumers to choose the one they need.
Other global brands, such as Acer, Asus and Lenovo, have not been sitting idly. They keep churning out their latest tablets and hybrids, such as the Acer Iconia, the Asus MeMOPad, and the Lenovo IdeaPad.
As reported by indotelko.com, Acer is set to flood the Indonesian market with their products. Despite the Windows-powered tablet’s slow market penetration (2.1 percent of market share in 2013), Acer still believes in Microsoft’s experience and ability to turn things around in its favor. Acer opts to provide consumers with a choice of Android-based or Windows-powered tablets, paving the way for more markets for the company.
More and more tablets in the market are using quad-core processors, promising smooth on-screen movements and operation. With thinner bodies and crisper graphics, more powerful processors will continue to be the trend for this year. Interestingly, some producers are following Samsung’s move and are including a pointed-tip stylus to accompany their tablets or phablets (devices with the functions of both a smartphone and a tablet).
Two examples are the Asus FonePad Note 6 and the Polytron Wizard Note W7530. Both are equipped with a stylus, which the producers claim to be precise and fully functional. But will a stylus turn out to be a gimmick or a useful peripheral? This remains to be seen.
Telling the time
Another technological breakthrough producers are trying to push in the market is wearable devices. Samsung and Sony are said to be at the forefront of the development and the introduction of wearable devices.
More and more producers are joining the bandwagon in producing smartwatches. Huawei, several other Chinese high-technology companies and several local brands, are keen on entering the wearable market.
Samsung has Galaxy Gear, which is now already available in Indonesia. The company has even developed its own OS for future Samsung wearables, called Tizen, citing the limited compatibility of Android OS and apps when applied to the small-screen smartwatch.
In the second week of March, Google introduced Android Wear, a project that extends Android to wearables. It’s the company’s response to the problems smartwatch makers address.
Android Wear is designed to improve smartwatches from a mere extension of a smartphone—reminding users of incoming messages from social media accounts, for example—to a device that can actually help improve users’ social life and work.
Motorola and LG are the first two companies ready to adopt Android Wear. Motorola has released the company’s own smartwatch, dubbed Moto 360, sporting a great-looking round watchface, though whether this device will be available in the country any time soon is still a question.
LG is also ready with its own LG G Watch. But for now, consumers across the country will most likely only see Samsung and Sony smartwatches in shops. (Gandi Faisal)
