SL market penetration dependent on ‘more attractive pricing’ – Intel
View(s):The areas to watch in 2016 include “smaller PC form factors offering massive capabilities, the development of new sensory interfaces, and the transformation of everyday objects into smart devices,” says Indika De Zoysa, the computer chip maker’s Country business Manager for Sri Lanka.At the same time, in a statement to the media he says that “(global) connectivity will push its way to the forefront of people’s lives and cumulatively, these advances will empower local citizens, and bridge the divide between Sri Lanka and more digitally advanced societies”.
However, he cautioned that the “further penetration of the Sri Lankan market will depend on more attractive pricing, as well as persuading more citizens of the value obtainable from technology”.
Elaborating further , Mr. De Zoysa indicated, “2016 will witness the push towards smaller form factors that blend connectivity and portability with massively improved performance. Intel’s goal over the next year is to expand the stack of 2 in 1 offerings and improve affordability across different price points. This will occur in close collaboration with Asia’s tech ecosystem, particularly local original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) whose innovations add value to Intel designs.As the middle class expands, mainstream product niches such as 14- and 15-inch notebooks and 10- and 11-inch tablets show continued potential for growth. At the market’s less affluent end, feature phones and low-cost smartphones will remain a vital entry point.
A key trend to watch in 2016 is the potential for Intel’s Next Unit of Computing (NUC) and Compute Stick to drive technology adoption as recently launched processors find their way into ever-smaller PCs”.Additionally, he signalled that the “personalisation of the computing experience through sight, sound, and touch is another trend set to crystallise in 2016. Whether in the form of Intel RealSense cameras embedded in devices that respond to human gesture control, virtual reality headsets with Intel’s latest Core i8 processors, or voice-activated smart watches and smartphones; natural interfaces are an inevitable consequence of ubiquitous connectivity. In low-literacy communities where people struggle to navigate English-language keyboards, the potential to drive technology adoption is immense.
Intel RealSense camera capabilities are extending the concept of Human Senses to a whole new range of face- and gesture-enabled experiences.Users of Windows Hello in Windows 10 can already take advantage of facial recognition logins, ending the need to remember passwords”. Further, commenting specifically on the area of healthcare, Mr. De Zoysa noted that Internet of Things technologies were “set to make services more immediate and personalised through wearables, remote diagnosis, and secure prescriptions. Momentum will build in areas such as remote patient diagnosis, secure prescriptions, and wearables that monitor indicators such as a person’s blood pressure or heart rate. Robotics is another area set to expand as more elderly people require monitoring and care”.
(JH)