Deloitte's tech predictions for 2021 include rising cloud revenue, video analytics for athletes, major telecoms improvements, and 8k resolution TVs going mainstream.
Each year Deloitte looks at current tech trends around the world and makes its predictions for future trends. This year has been less than predictable with the pandemic changing everything from buying habits and tech purchases to employment and training in tech fields, but Deloitte has some interesting predictions for 2021.
A rise in demand for high-resolution home entertainment is predicted to lead to one million 8K TV sales in 2021, generating £2.5 billion globally. The price of an entry-level 8K TV is expected to fall to around £1,000 by the end of 2021. Deloitte predicts that less than 0.1% of all video content made in 2021 will be available in 8K, and instead most content will be upscaled or remasteredfor 8K.
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Danny McConnell, technology partner at Deloitte in Belfast, said: “8K’s sheer size and definition will see it used as a one screen fits all – to watch cinema-quality content, deliver the best home-working experiences, participate in life-size fitness classes and show-off artworks, fish-tanks and fireplaces when not in use."
Once social distancing is able to be relaxed, Deloitte predicts that there will be a surge in demand for live sport events, leading to record in-person attenance for events as well as record TV audiences. The group is predicting that this will be the year that women's sports sees massive revenue growth.
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On the more technical side, Deloitte predicts that 90% of major mobile telecoms operators will adopt Open RAN technology within their networks by the end of 2021, with demand for the technology rising over the coming years. Other trends include a continuing rise in cloud revenues, and growth in video analytics tech for professional athletes and those training at home.
Paul Lee, global head of technology, media and telecommunications research at Deloitte, said: "Premier League teams have relied on video analytics for years to improve on-pitch performance. In 2021, we’ll see the technology democratised, with prices affordable to lower leagues as well as a wide variety of sporting tournaments and championships."
Source: Written based on press release
