Global economy remained sluggish in 2013. Although a stronger growth is expected in 2014, the recovery is likely to be moderate given the still weak consumer confidence in major markets. Hence, worldwide IT industry will continue to face higher uncertainty in the macroeconomic conditions in 2014. Observing the development of the worldwide IT industry, Taiwan's MIC (Market Intelligence & Consulting Institute), an ICT industry research institute based in Taipei, proposed 10 important trends to watch in 2014.
- Emerging Markets Remain the World's Growth Engine
Due to structural changes in the global economic development, emerging markets will continue to propel the world's economy in the future. To obtain higher growth, IT companies have to develop products catered to consumers in the emerging markets.
- Asia Pacific is the Hot Spot of Emerging Markets
Major IT companies will put their focus on the Asia Pacific region, particularly Southeast Asia, where there is a great potential for regional economic growth.
- China's Political & Economic Schemes to Exert Greater Impact
With China having new political and economic schemes, its IT consumer market will continue to have stable growth and its e-commerce will surge significantly, with online shopping taking a greater share. Policies encouraging innovations and domestic manufacturing will improve Chinese IT companies' in-house production capabilities.
- Rise of High Quality White-Box Products
Given the stable development of China's macroeconomic environment, Chinese people's consumption power will continue to increase. The shanzhai products, which were often seen in the past, have been replaced by high quality white-box products, including low-cost smartphones and tablets. Due to their destructive pricing strategies and rapid improvement in specs, white-box products have posted a threat to international players.
- Low-cost Products to Bolster China' Supply Chain Development
The rise of high quality low-cost products will put the existing supply chains under great pressure of cost reduction, giving opportunities to Chinese supply chain players.
- Cloud Computing to Stimulate Multiple Mobile Applications
With digital convergence and the coming of 4G era, the trend of cloud computing has been more pronounced, with multiple mobile applications providing various consumer experience burgeoning in the market. Demand for end-user devices, software, application services, and big data technologies will be on the rise.
- Mobile Applications to Stretch into Various Fields
Thanks to the increasing popularity of mobile devices, mobile applications have been expanding from reading, audio/video, shopping, and commerce to a broader aspect of life, and from consumer market to commercial market.
- Development of Exercising Habits to Trigger Demand for Wearable Devices
People's fondness for road running and sports photography has triggered the demand for wearable products. Conventional IT vendors have cooperated with professional service providers to tap this new market, providing products that can help increase exercising effectiveness, skills, and health management.
- Wireless Technologies and Sensor ICs to Flourish
The popularity of smart handheld devices and wearable devices has unleashed the need to connect them and collect users' physical data. The constant improvement on product specs will trigger business opportunities for short-distance wireless communications technologies, such as Bluetooth and sensor ICs.
- High-efficiency Chips Remain the Focal Area of Semiconductor Industry
Multi-core, 64-bit chips featuring high performance, low cost and power consumption, and small size will become mainstream products thanks to the boom in the smart handheld device market. For vendors in the semiconductor industry, multi-core chips and advanced process technologies will continue to be the major arenas.
For future receipt of press releases, or more information about MIC research findings, please contact MIC Public Relations.
About MIC
Market Intelligence & Consulting Institute (MIC), based in Taipei, Taiwan, was founded in 1987. MIC is Taiwan's premier IT industry research and consulting firm providing intelligence, in-depth analysis, and strategic consulting services on global IT product and technology trends, focusing on markets and industries in Asia-Pacific. MIC is part of the Institute for Information Industry. https://mic.iii.org.tw/english