Today, market uncertainty is in the forefront of public thought and concern. The possibility that the world will sink into a global depression is the most pessimistic of scenarios, but daily more probable. The effect of the uncertainty on the mentality of the consumer and thus on consumer electronics markets for wireless technologies becomes a very important factor for OEMs to consider, as consumer spending is likely to decline in the near term throughout most of the world.
Conversely, a decline in consumer spending is likely to strengthen the prospects of WiMAX, especially in developing nations and markets, as companies focus their efforts in areas that have a stronger likelihood of providing a return on investment.
Consumer electronics products being released with new features, such as UWB-based certified wireless USB, must provide a clear solution to a need in order to be successful in near term markets. It is unclear if removing cables from USB-based hard drives, printers, digital cameras, and laptop docking stations will be sufficient to drive consumer demand, yet the possibility remains of putting the market uptake of UWB in consumer markets in jeopardy.
At the same time it is likely that market uncertainty will continue to affect credit markets for the near term and create a ripple effect of caution on the part of industrial and commercial markets as they put off borrowing to install new wireless-based systems that advance the automation of infrastructure and back-end processing. This will probably delay the market uptake of wireless sensor networks for perhaps a longer term than a consumer market delay in wireless uptake.
Overall, this is the time for companies to invest in research and development of the next emerging wireless technology in preparation for the inevitable recovery of markets. It is not a good time to release consumer products based on emerging wireless protocols that do not satisfy a clear need. In current market conditions, it is not consumer delighters (additional features) that will mean successful strategy, but meeting consumer requirements at the lowest cost instead.
This new report focuses on the prospects for emerging wireless technologies in consumer markets. It analyzes the activities and developments of companies and alliances in light of current market conditions.