Consumer Electronic Trends: Expression & Entertainment in the Smart Home | Part 2
Consumer Electronic Trends: IFA 2023
TWO: Expression & Entertainment in the Smart Home
Technology show IFA (Berlin, September 1-5) foregrounded the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and smart home connectivity in powering elevated, highly personalised, playful and expressive entertainment experiences. Software is integrating with hardware, often from multiple brands at once, to transform products into service offerings that become a source of culture, curation and joy.
1. Connected experiences
2. Expanded screen time
3. Fashionable finishes
Connected for Curated & Elevated Experiences
As consumers become more accustomed to smart objects in the home, brands are launching new services that capitalise on the connectivity of appliances to generate personalised and enhanced entertainment experiences. This is even leading to brand-transcending collaborations and multisensory interactions.
Advancing Multi-Brand Connectivity: Platforms like Matter have paved the way for interoperability across hardware. German smart home brand Eve launched Eve Play, an audio adapter that uses the Apple AirPlay function to connect stereo systems and speakers across the home network for synchronised multi-room music playback.
Eve
Expanded Screen Time
The TV set is no longer confined to broadcasting the latest shows in the family living room, as it expands into workspaces, outdoors and full-on home cinemas.
Lifestyle TVs: TVs are breaking out of the living room to adapt to varied lifestyles. The StanbyME Go by LG (South Korea) is a briefcase-embedded TV set for use at both indoor and outdoor locations. Turkish home appliances manufacturer Vestel also released a range of screens for flexible lifestyles.
LG
LG
Fashionable Finishes
The materiality and surface design of home electronics are ripe for innovation. Brands are covering appliances with expressive designs while continuing to upgrade products in recycled materials.
Fashionable Finishes: The materiality and surface design of home electronics are ripe for innovation. Brands are covering appliances with expressive designs while continuing to upgrade products in recycled materials. Expressive Electronics: Taking surface design to an astounding new level is Chinese brand Honor’s much-hyped V Purse device, a smartphone-turned-purse concept that was revealed at the show. The screen of the foldable phone becomes the exterior of the purse, which can be customised to mimic a range of materials and display an endless variety of patterns while never switching off.
Honor
Key Learnings
Forge Connections with Competitors
The future of smart things revolves around interoperability and connectivity. Partner with other brands to gain access to technologies and intellectual property that can take your offering in new directions. Surprising collaborations, like the one between Samsung and Philips, signify ambitious and imaginative potential for enhanced consumer experiences.
Get Ready for the Gesture Revolution
As electronics are increasingly connected, the next frontier lies in more intuitive interaction design. See how brands at IFA have started to use gestures to control devices and interpret body language and mood to curate content recommendations. Ensure consumers of all abilities are considered when developing futuristic user interfaces.
Leverage Lifestyle Electronics
Appliances are shaking off their white goods status, as brands diversify with artist-developed eye-catching coverings. TVs are equally adapting to contemporary lifestyles with portable and adaptable designs made for flexibility and entertainment. It’s increasingly important for electronics to be expressions of identity and style.