TORONTO, ONTARIO — (Marketwired) — 12/22/14 — (TSX: T)(NYSE: TU) – From the moment we wake up to the moment we go to sleep, mobile devices have become an integral part of our lives, and how we are using them is changing at a rapid pace. Next year will bring even more innovation, with smartphones increasingly becoming the central hub for personal data and information. In 2015, new mobile devices running on faster and more powerful networks will connect Canadians and enhance their lives in more meaningful ways than ever before.
“Next year promises to be the most connected year for consumer mobile technology to date, with a more compelling and powerful smartphone experience that goes well beyond the device itself,” says Brent Johnston, senior vice president, consumer marketing at TELUS. “Innovations in cloud computing, wearable technology, connected accessories and the evolution of the mobile wallet will continue to transform how we connect to the world around us using mobile technology.”
As the year comes to a close, here are our top five mobile tech predictions for 2015:
1. Innovation in the name of health
When it comes to connectivity, health is the next frontier of innovation. In recent years, we–ve seen a significant increase in fitness tracking and health-related wearables entering the market including popular devices like and . We can expect wearable accessories to make monitoring our health easier in the year ahead as wearable fall or heart-attack detectors and blood sugar monitors that send automatic text messages to alert you or your caregiver of potential risks become readily available.
2. “Appcessories” to help your swing, batting average and your slap shot
Beyond health, app-enabled wearable accessories will become the new way we use our smartphones to collect performance-based results. Already emerging are creative sports appcessories typically worn on the wrist, arm or leg that measure performance when connected to a smartphone or tablet. Much like the or , in 2015, we–ll see these appcessories include basketballs and even musical instruments providing valuable coaching data.
3. Connectivity at home and on the go
The “Internet of Things” is primed to take off in 2015 and help make Canadians– lives easier. The term “” relates to everyday physical objects connected to the Internet which are able to identify themselves and communicate with other devices. predicts that by 2020, more than 26 billion everyday objects will be connected as part of the Internet of Things. We–re anticipating that smart-home products will be a large focus at this year–s (CES), as connected lights, security systems, thermostats, refrigerators, stoves and more are controlled remotely from your smartphone.
Connected cars will also make a bold statement in 2015. According to , there will be 1.8 billion automotive connections globally, consisting of 700 million connected cars and 1.1 billion aftermarket devices by 2022. Companies like are already working to enhance the driving experience with vehicle monitoring, automated trip tracking and vehicle diagnostics.
4. The rise of the mobile wallet
According to , 46 per cent of Canadians aged 18-44 who own a smartphone are interested in using their device to make everyday purchases. Forgot your wallet at home? Not to worry, you have your phone! Mobile commerce will continue to advance in 2015 with the ability to make payments directly from mobile devices. You–ll not only be able to use your mobile wallet to pay for lunch, but will also be able to make mortgage payments, increase your line of credit, collect and redeem loyalty points and rewards, and make deposits. With a simple tap or wave, a smartphone and a wireless payment kiosk can exchange payment information safely, securely and efficiently.
5. The ever-evolving smartphone
Even with the surge in wearable and connected home technology, smartphones aren–t going anywhere. In fact, predicts mobile phone shipments will outpace personal computers by at least 6 times next year, representing 88 per cent of global mobile phone sales by 2018.
One smartphone trend to watch for is larger screens. With the launch of the highly anticipated iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus this fall, we can expect more and more larger smartphones to enter the market in 2015. Overall, the smartphone itself will continue to evolve as the central connected hub of all information. With improved battery life and charging features – some reports claiming 2015 smartphones could have a battery life of up to a few weeks – the ability to run multiple applications at once, vivid screens and better camera features, smartphones will get smarter, stronger and last longer, further enhancing the mobile experience for consumers.
About TELUS
TELUS (TSX: T)(NYSE: TU) is Canada–s fastest-growing national telecommunications company, with $11.8 billion of annual revenue and 13.5 million customer connections, including 8.0 million wireless subscribers, 3.2 million wireline network access lines, 1.45 million Internet subscribers and 888,000 TELUS TV customers. TELUS provides a wide range of communications products and services, including wireless, data, Internet protocol (IP), voice, television, entertainment and video, and is Canada–s largest healthcare IT provider.
In support of our philosophy to give where we live, TELUS, our team members and retirees have contributed more than $350 million to charitable and not-for-profit organizations and volunteered 5.4 million hours of service to local communities since 2000. Created in 2005 by Executive Chairman Darren Entwistle, TELUS– 11 community boards across Canada have led the company–s support of grassroots charities and will have contributed $47 million in support of 3,700 local charities organizations by the end of 2014, enriching the lives of more than two million Canadian children and youth. TELUS was honoured to be named the most outstanding philanthropic corporation globally for 2010 by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, becoming the first Canadian company to receive this prestigious international recognition.
For more information about TELUS, please visit .
Contacts:
Sacha Gudmundsson
TELUS Social and Media Relations
(647) 472-8856
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