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With the arrival of the 5G era, the shape, size and functionality of the devices we use have undergone dramatic changes. Analysts once pointed out that the next milestone era of the internet would arrive between 2018 and 2020. Steve French, an executive at information technology company Amdocs, stated that the number of mobile devices has far exceeded the global population. Perhaps only time will tell what is certain to happen next, but with guidance from industry professionals, we can also predict what will happen this year, such as forecasting trends in mobile devices.
Wearable devices have brought mobile technology into an entirely new phase. Although Google Glass has yet to be commercialized since its inception, nothing stays the same forever. With the launch of Apple Watch this year, the market has become a whole new scene: Apple Watch rises while many competitors fall. Andrew Whiting, VP of Marketing at mobile solutions company Solstice Mobile, expressed great anticipation for Apple Watch. He also believes Apple Watch will transform the wearable device landscape. In other words, Android Wear developers should also be getting ready.
What if many of the brands you use offered subscription services? For example, a bank could interact with you like a Fitbit band, telling you through a device how much money you have left to spend this month or where using a credit card is cheaper. Heather Cox, Chief Customer Experience Officer at Citigroup, stated that the era of simply selling products to customers is over. In 2015 we will focus on mobile shopping, allowing consumers to enjoy shopping anytime, anywhere. However, attracting consumers has become increasingly difficult. Therefore, periodic advertising is needed, using data and timely services to engage customers.
Within weeks of Apple Pay's launch, it already supported 90% of credit cards across the US and could be used at 220,000 point-of-sale locations, from large retail stores to neighborhood corner shops. Pascal Caillon, General Manager for North America at NFC solutions provider Proxama, noted that since Starbucks' mobile payment system went live, customers have been able to check out faster. Starting from this small beginning, mobile payments will continue to expand. Gradually, merchants in this industry will set industry standards while also requiring third-party oversight.
Nataly Kelly, VP of Marketing at enterprise cloud translation platform Smartling, stated that mobile payments are now a global competitive arena. For example, Asian tourism has surged, and related apps tailored for travelers have grown accordingly. The same app may have 10 or more language versions, yet developers and phone manufacturers are still working hard to serve more tourists abroad. Clearly, people's needs vary by region, and the arrival of the mobile payments era will also trigger global competition.
Last year, Apple launched its smart home platform HomeKit, while Nest, Samsung, ARM and three other companies introduced Thread, a wireless networking standard for smart homes. They are all doing the same thing: connecting home devices. Coby Sella, CEO of IoT and mobile security solutions provider Sansa Security, stated that this year these two camps will wage an intense battle to attract developers. Early signs indicate that Apple's HomeKit will follow a closed approach like its apps, while the Thread alliance will welcome developers with an open attitude.
Disruptive trends in 2015 are not limited to portable and wearable devices; the automotive sector is also seeing innovation. IEEE Fellow Stu Lipoff noted that people now realize GPS will evolve into an integrated system combining in-car Wi-Fi, location services and download capabilities. Some high-end car windshields will become display screens enabling terrain visualization, navigation and augmented reality features. From this perspective, a car is like a smartphone on four wheels.
As the wearable device market heats up, the arrival of the Internet of Things will also accelerate. Matthew Davis, VP of Product Marketing at internet company StepLeader, stated that technology has reached a certain level but consumers have not realized it. Companies have not yet convinced the American public of the necessity of wearable devices, smart homes and connected cars. However, consumers will find that owning these things is nice, even if they do not understand the technology behind them.
Many developers lament that developing apps that collect user data has become increasingly difficult. Domingo Guerra, founder of mobile app security startup Appthority, stated that flashlight apps steal user data, even as developers argue it is because they need funding. People are beginning to understand that there is no free lunch; free mobile apps may "steal" your privacy and send it to market research or advertising companies. Developers have also realized that mobile apps need to provide privacy and security to survive in the competitive app market.
As mobile devices advance, malicious actors are also scheming. Dwayne Melancon, CTO of cybersecurity company Tripwire, said that as technology evolves, any individual or group that uses networks to harm others' interests will be brought to justice. Whether malware targets jailbroken or non-jailbroken iOS, Apple will work to keep it under control. At the same time, users should stay vigilant. Whether individuals or enterprises, everyone needs to protect their data security on mobile devices.
Sravish Sridhar, CEO of Kinvey, which provides backend creation platforms for mobile app developers, stated that seamless cross-platform support will be standard for next-generation apps. From wearable devices, phones and tablets to PCs, apps will deliver experiences across all devices.
Retailers will integrate barcode scanning into their apps, allowing consumers to scan using their phones. This feature can also increase user engagement and loyalty while boosting sales. Scandit CEO Mueller stated that retailers are finally recognizing the importance of mobile barcode scanning, and next year will see more mobile transactions.
Dennis Schaal, editor-in-chief of travel industry news site Skift, stated that next year TripAdvisor, Hipmunk, Skyscanner, rivago and Dohop will simplify the process of booking flights and hotels through mobile apps. Expedia, Hipmunk and other service companies are also working to shift their businesses to mobile.
Fueled founder Rameet Chawla stated that by 2015, more and more people will monitor their health and nutrition via mobile devices. This means wearable devices and phones can generate real value. Monitoring post-meal blood sugar, REM sleep stages and carbon dioxide levels in muscles becomes meaningful with the support of technology.
Art Landro, CEO of cloud services company Sencha, stated that for companies with distributed organizations and project-based structures, apps need to support BYOD by working across platforms and devices. Companies will also seek secure online platforms to store confidential data, which also means data on employees' phones or tablets needs to be managed.
Appian CEO Matt Calkins stated that the value of mobile is clear, and the mobile-first concept is gradually permeating every industry. In the coming period, companies that were not mobile-focused will shift to increasing mobile usage and allowing employees to use various devices. Desktop interactions will gradually imitate mobile. The app war between mobile and desktop will end with mobile's victory.
2015 will be the year smartphones and tablets are used more than all other devices combined. The way we use them will inspire more demand for faster access, more features and more options that never existed before. Demand for mobile apps will also grow with apps like Uber, Lyft, Amazon Fresh, InstaCart and Curbstand.
So, let's witness these trends together.
Source: ChinaByte