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Computer technology to advance in 2012

Computer technologies are set to advance rapidly in 2012, with retailers set to sell record numbers of smartphones and tablets over the coming year.

This will be good news for North East technology firms, but will also force content owners, network operators and retailers to respond to demands which will come with the increase in numbers of multi-tablet households.

Rob Seldon, Head of Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) at Deloitte in the North East comments: “This year’s predictions cover a range of topics, including the demand for consumer technology, the rise of the multi-tablet owner, 3D printing and the growth of big data.

“The tablet explosion has shown little sign of slowing down since hitting the market in 2010 and is set to take the mantle of the most rapid multiple market penetration in history.”

Around 5 million tablets will be sold to people who already own one in 2012, generating up to £1.3 billion in revenue for technology businesses. However, the dollar value may be flat, meaning that consumers will be drawn to products offering the latest gadgets and technologies.

Julian Hunt, TMT director at Deloitte in the North East, adds: “The storage technology used for the world’s consumer devices is mostly taken for granted by consumers by the increasing desire for smaller, lighter gadgets and increasing acceptance of cloud-based services could provide a boost for the solid-state drive vendors.

“By the end of 2012, solid state storage for small devices such as MP3/4 players, smartphones and tablets will likely account for 90 per cent of the market, compared to 20 per cent in 2006, and a sixth of the laptop segment.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .