We increasingly deal with digital convergence in all areas of our lives. Efficiency and productivity were optimized by access to and sharing of real-time information, regardless of the location. Furthermore, according to a 2023 study by Accenture, the integration between the physical and digital worlds is allowing government agencies and companies to realign their operations to achieve greater success. With ease, professionals and students make video calls, they participate in virtual meetings and attend webinars using electronic devices, indispensable tools in the corporate and academic environment
When we think about leisure moments, various equipment, like smartphones and smart TVs, as well as its accessories, they can offer immersive and personalized experiences for consuming digital content. Watching movies, playing video games and listening to music become enriching activities thanks to enhanced sound quality and wireless connectivity, for example. According to DataReportal, in 2023, the average time spent online by internet users was 6 hours and 37 minutes per day, highlighting the importance of these devices in our daily routine
Having this evidenced history, digital convergence is the main driver of transformation, integrating various technologies and platforms into a single device or system. Bluetooth technology, for example, allows devices like smartphones to connect simultaneously to several other gadgets, like headphones and smartwatches. This integration also extends to virtual assistants and streaming platforms, directly accessible from devices like smart speakers, that became command centers in many households
Technological innovations, how active noise cancellation and high-definition sound quality in audio devices, further increase the versatility of these devices, allowing use in different scenarios, reconciling domestic use with corporate use. Speakers, for example, they can be used in corporate meetings and in moments of celebration and fun
We can say that the pandemic drastically accelerated digital convergence. Before 2020, most interactions and activities were predominantly in-person – the home office had a still timid presence, but in evolution. Starting from 2020, the use of hybrid devices has skyrocketed, allowing the continuity of activities in a remote environment. A study by the Pew Research Center from last year indicates that, despite remote work having declined, continues five times larger than before the pandemic and the hybrid format is growing in the market, showing how much the period brought changes
This transformation of electronic devices reflects a trend in our society – we seek technologies that not only meet a need, but that work at various times, being explored in leisure, during physical activities, at work and study time. Digital convergence is the key to this transformation, and its impact will continue to shape the future of consumer technology, also bringing a better cost-benefit ratio to its user. According to Grand View Research, the global market for connected devices is expected to grow at a rate of 12% per year until 2026, driven by the continuous integration of new technologies
The versatility of electronic devices, driven by digital convergence is a reality that is here to stay. The challenge is to find balance in the use of technology, taking advantage of the benefits without letting it dominate relationships and routines. Awareness of the time spent using devices, the encouragement of offline activities and the creation of moments of disconnection are important steps to ensure that the tool is an ally and not an enemy of family relationships
As electronic devices become essential in various everyday environments, facilitating everything from virtual meetings to the consumption of digital content, digital convergence emerges as a fuel for this transformation. While innovations integrate various platforms, the versatility of these devices promises to redefine how we interact at work, studies and leisure
