Top 5 tech trends @ Gitex Shopper Dubai: Buy it, try it or just eye it?
Don’t get fooled into buying last year’s technology – here’s what’s trending in tech today
By Emirates 247
Connectivity is a key pillar of the digital age, and a digitally connected Dubai is looking forward to Gitex Shopper Spring edition, a 4-day IT and electronics extravaganza that starts tomorrow, April 1, and runs until April 4, 2015.
We live in a connected world and the devices we use are getting smarter, and more interconnected, by the day.
Little wonder then that retailers and consumers both expect connected devices to be a key theme this year at Gitex Shopper Spring, foremost among them being the ubiquitous smartphone and its new companion, the wearable remote, also known as smartwatch.
Privy to what the retailers will be offering, Hassan Mosafer, Exhibition Director of the Gitex Shopper Spring at organisers Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), lists for Emirates 24|7 the top 5 tech trends that will drive sales and footfall at the upcoming tech fest.
#1 Multi-device lifestyles: Mobile devices are becoming an indispensable part of everyday life both at home and at work, as our world becomes increasingly digitised and connected. It is now commonplace for people to not only own more than one device, but also to use more than one device simultaneously, such as browsing social media on a smartphone while watching TV.
Emirates 24|7 takeaway: Go for devices that can ‘talk’ to one another – a smartphone that can order your TV which can hook onto your router and download stuff that can be wirelessly printed on your printer… you get the drift, right?
#2 Wearable Tech: The wearable technology market is gaining traction with everything from fitness and health related products to smart watches and audio-wearable tech. These products are becoming increasingly complex, able to provide significant levels of information and contribute to quality of life – whether convenience, time management, enjoyment, or critical health monitoring.
Emirates 24|7 takeaway: The Apple Watch is just a few days away, but if waiting is not your thing, remember that there are a host of wearables already in the market. These include smartwatches, wristbands and VR headsets from the likes of Samsung, Sony, HTC and more.
#3 Mobile Commerce: The growth of mCommerce is changing the way consumers purchase goods and services, with the use of handheld devices such as smartphones and laptops leading to a surge in both markets.
Emirates 24|7 takeaway: Go for devices that are ready to offer payment gateways whenever these are made available in the UAE/region. Apple Pay and Samsung Pay, unfortunately, will not be immediately available in the region owing to regulatory issues, but that shouldn’t stop you from having devices that can offer the gateways once the green flag is waived.
#4 Social photography: With one out of every four people around the world now regularly accessing social media, social photography is driving demand for smartphones, tablets and digital cameras. While smartphones and tablets provide the fastest sharing option of moments, digital cameras offers the highest quality pictures which can now also be shared thanks to new technology such as inbuilt Wi-Fi.Emirates 24|7 takeaway: What’s better than a great smartphone camera? A DSLR that can connect to your Facebook, Twitter and other social media accounts to share your pièce de résistance.
#5 Interconnectivity: As homes get smarter, the tech industry continuously produces devices capable of “communicating” with each other, such as TVs, smartphones, computers and refrigerators which are revolutionising the way we live our lives.
Emirates 24|7 takeaway: Remember what we said earlier – go for devices that can ‘talk’ to one another.
