The annual CES (Consumer Electronics Expo) has come and gone, forecasting some of the trends for 2020. If they’re right, this will be the year of the fold.
Fold it. Bend it. Tilt it. CES brought forward tech in a non-rigid format, creases and all.
- Forget Flip-it. Samsung may have been one of the first-to-market with a foldable Android phone, but it was mired with problems, delays and a hefty price tag. Other manufacturers have gotten into the fray (no surprise), with Motorola’s latest incarnation of the once status-symbol Razr. Foldable phones of all varieties are likely to continue for the next few years as consumers either adopt or drop the fad.
- Tab-top. Is it a notebook, a tablet, both, neither? While notebook computers have hinged and folded for decades, it’s been largely as two separate pieces; monitor and keyboard. Taking the folded phone to the portable computer seems only logical, as transformer laptops have existed for more than 10 years. Costs may limit consumer adoption of a large screen for a computer. If typing on an iPad is any indication, a screen for a keyboard may be a limiting factor, esp. in business sectors.
- Tile or Turn a TV. Curved monitors and TVs have been around for a while. But a truly adaptable TV that can fit into any space would be unique and interesting, if nothing else to create a more immersive experience. However, unless you’re moving your TV from room to room each day, this feels more like a, “set it and forget it,” feature.
With ever more variants to monitor/screen size on the horizon, brands and UX teams should continue to keep the following in mind:
- Adaptive design that looks great everywhere. Standard screen resolutions for phones are a thing of the past. The lines between phone/phablet/tablet and laptop/desktop/television continue to blur. UX coders should ensure their sites look great everywhere. Responsive, adaptive code with a consistent experience is a must.
- Android developers will have more to design as foldable phones evolve and are adopted. Initial incarnations are more square than portrait. Combined with multi-application use, developers should ensure their app looks and works great as every app launch is critical. Regroup with your Developers to ensure tracking of consumer devices is easily accessible to the business.
- Monitor your users. Depending on your consumer, especially in B2B sectors, you may have more than enough time to pause an evaluate how adoption, usage, operating systems evolve with the hardware. Keep an eye on your analytics for growth/adoption trends.
- Content producers for the web and streaming services should be cognizant of how larger, adaptable displays can surround a consumer. The rule of thirds may be more relevant as consumers can look left, right, and forward to enjoy their favorite program or movie.
Need help applying the new tech within your business, or understanding how it fits? We’re here to help. Reach out any time to get the conversation started.