Predictions that focus on the future of technology and the way humans will interact with devices usually sound like nonsensical premonitions derived from a crystal ball.

Who would ever have predicted email would one day become the formal mode of communication, and that people would readily reveal the most intimate details of their lives to strangers online?

But no matter how unlikely this may have seemed five or six years ago, today it is the norm.

Yearly predictions, on the other hand, are more realistic. Unless a magical new device is launched next year, current trends towards mobility, greater connectivity and awareness of privacy and data issues are likely to continue.

Mobile, above all, will take precedence across the region. In the UAE, smartphone penetration exceeds 80 per cent – one of the highest rates in the world – and fourth-generation (4G) mobile broadband speeds are now widely available.

This is leading to a market that is becoming more portable and flexible, unrestricted by connectivity.

“We expect to see the continuous shift towards ultra-mobility and the opportunities that this will bring to the industry,” says Nassir Nauthoa, the general manager of the Arabian Gulf countries at Intel.

This ultra-mobility will range from wearable smart devices such as smartwatches and hybrid two-in-one-laptops that double up as tablets, to mobile applications that control everyday household items. Tablets will outpace notebook and laptop sales, while sales of “phablets” – part phone, part tablet devices – will take hold across the region as a more portable form of tablet.

“We will see more connectivity in devices. With your smartphone you will be able to control your television, or fridge and your washing machine through an app,” says DY Kim, the president of LG Electronics Gulf.

The need to be mobile will transcend all sectors. From consumer to enterprise and government, a mobile-first approach will be adopted to keep pace with the need for flexibility and constant connectivity. This will in turn increase demand for mobile devices, and as IT spending will exceed US$32 billion across the region, prices are likely to go down.

“There will be a slight shift from high-end brands to slightly cheaper form factors. Companies such as Lenovo and Asus are becoming more relevant players,” says Adriana Rangel, the research director of systems and infrastructure solutions at IDC.

Manufacturers will also look to diversify their range of products, which will segment the market further.

“People want to be exclusive and different, and manufacturers are targeting the need for our individuality as human beings,” says Ms Rangel.

All these new devices will churn out more data, particularly on social media networks. This will create opportunities for companies who can better analyse this data and use it as competitive advantage. Facebook alone is anticipated to increase its storage capacity by more than 60 per cent from 250 petabytes to 400 petabytes next year.

“The exponential growth in data will require more flexible ways of managing and extracting value from this abundance of information. This is where the continued deployment of cloud computing and focus on big-data analytics will be needed in order for companies to have the agility, cost efficiencies and ability to make maximum use of structured and unstructured data for competitive advantage,” says Mr Nauthoa.

As the UAE’s economy continues to thrive, particularly after Dubai’s Expo 2020 win, the jobs market is expected to boom next year, according to LinkedIn.

“This means being able to effectively compete for and win talent will be even more important next year, and recruiters will need to use all the tools at their disposal to fine the best candidates,” says Ali Matar, the head of LinkedIn Middle East & North Africa talent solutions.

“LinkedIn strongly believes that mobile will increasingly drive a new, multichannel candidate journey. While LinkedIn has the tools and insights to discover and engage the best talent, they’re not being used to their full potential. If harnessed effectively, this data can help recruiters to map talent pool and create strong pipelines, so it should be a top strategic priority next year.”

thamid@thenational.ae