2016 was an interesting year for new products & interesting marketing trends. Here is a look at products & marketing trends of 2016
1)Pokemon Go
Pokemon Go was actually a fad in 2016.The free-to-play, location-based augmented reality game developed by Niantic for iOS, Android, and Apple Watch devices. The game was initially released in selected countries in July 2016. In the game, players use the mobile GPS to locate, capture, battle, and train virtual creatures, called Pokemon, who appear on the screen as if they were in the same real-world location as the player.
Pokemon Go was released to mixed reviews, with critics praising the game’s concept and the incentive to be more active in the real world. It quickly became a global phenomenon and was one of the most used and profitable mobile apps in 2016, having been downloaded more than 500 million times worldwide. It was credited with popularizing location-based and augmented reality technology and helping local businesses grow by way of increased foot traffic. It has certainly shown way for AR/VR tools to engage & excite customers in 2017
2) Amazon Go
Amazon Go is amazon’s new retailing concept based on technology.
The store, isn’t the regular Walmart – instead, shoppers use an app, also called Amazon Go & scan the products they plan to buy, then they can walk out of the store without waiting in a checkout line.
The concept is that Amazon’s machine learning technology automatically identifies when a product is added to your cart, so you don’t have to do it yourself. Once you leave the store, your Amazon account is automatically charged.
As per Amazon, these stores are about 1,800 square feet, so they are relatively small compared to big supermarkets. They will sell ready-made food, staples like bread and milk, and other grocery products.
The first store is located in Seattle, Washington, and it will open to the public in early 2017.
3)Drones
In 2013, when Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s chief executive Spoke about his plan to take what looks like a barbecue grill, attach eight propellers and a basket to it and use it to deliver small items to people’s houses. Many people dismissed it as a crazy idea. In Dec 2016 the first commercial drone delivery happened covering 2 miles in 13 minutes.
Experts opined that use of drones would need approvals from regulators which will delay widespread usage. Drones can reduce dependence on trucks, reduce environment pollution & reduce delivery time
Amazon, with its deep pockets, logistical expertise, and technological prowess, seems the most likely to push widespread drone delivery into the mainstream, at least in the Western world
4)PIXEL
In 2016, Google came out with its version of the smartphone called Pixel. The run-up to Google’s announcement was not impressive, the device was fully exposed by leaks. The design was uninspiring and it appeared to have no differential advantages over the competition. To the top, it was expensive, unlike the Nexus line it was replacing.
But shortly after the launch, the device started to win people over. The smooth & fast operation unlike any android interface, better software & hardware harmony, Google assistant, Unlimited storage & the crowning jewel the 12.3-megapixel camera. The camera was, in fact, the best one in the market ahead of iPhone 7.Not to speak of long battery life
There were shortcomings as well poor design, Not water resistant & no wireless charging. But overall this turned out to one of the best products of google for 2016
5)Echo
Amazon Echo is a smart speaker developed by Amazon.com. The device responds to the name “Alexa”. This “wake word” can be changed by the user to either “Amazon” or “Echo”.
The device is capable of voice interaction, music playback, making to-do lists, setting alarms, streaming podcasts, playing audiobooks, and providing weather, traffic, and other real-time information. It can also control several smart devices using itself as a home automation hub.
In Short words, it’s a personal assistant which can do multiple lists of things like setting alarms, connecting devices and it works most of the time like a miracle
You will hear a lot more about this in 2017
6)iPhone 7
One of most Awaited phones of the year was iPhone 7.Finally, the product disappointed many. iPhone 7 didn’t introduce a revolutionary new feature or even a new form factor. And to top it all off, Apple’s next-gen smartphone didn’t feature a 3.5mm headphone jack, a design decision that some believed would turn off a good percentage of prospective buyers. Sales figures are not too impressive as expected reflecting lack of overall interest in the product
7) Rise & Fall of Social Media
2016 was the year which proved that social media is not the real world. Analysis of social media trends may not be the reflection of the actual trend on ground. It was proved both in case of Brexit & Trump Victory
Actually, it has to do more with how facebook algorithm feed pushes only data relevant to you in your feed giving you a feeling that every one is sharing the same thoughts as you.
It was the year when social media through facebook fake news was supposed to have impacted the selection the most powerful post in the world, President of United States of America. So much so that Mark Zuckerberg had to come out with a release refuting the same
In fact, the company’s view that its technology is non-judgmental now seems more like negligence – how Facebook algorithm determines whether the loudest voices get to dominate the debate, even if they spread falsehoods.
But the noises against facebook are getting louder & it needs to do some course corrections as it hopes with the third party checkers it’s going to put up
8) Fall of Analytics
2016 was a reality check for analytics industry. Not once but twice were they found wanting & searching for answers. Brexit & US election proved a startling fact, Analytics is not the solution to all the questions. Human Behaviour is not something that can be decided by just numbers, Numbers can be a start point, but cannot be the only base for analysis. All the data pundits predicted Britain staying with EU to the tune of 76% & Hillary winning by a huge margin. But the result was startling, to say the least, & set ripples in the analytics industry. That takes us back to question of data collection & analysis
9) Rise of Video Streaming
Video streaming became a fashion in 2016.With facebook, periscope & lot of apps giving the customer the choice & freedom to stream live video content. Streaming video enables users an “in the moment experience,” being able to see through someone else’s eyes rather than seeing a retrospective update. This is further expected to go up this year
10) Augmented and virtual reality
AR & VR became a buzz word in 2016.Brands started using these technologies to create customer experiences & get a head start over the competition. Oculus Rift started making gears followed by dozens of competing devices. With Pokemon Go ushering in a new trend,2017 could be the year this technology comes to the fore