This promises to be the year of the phablet, according to Deloitte's annual Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) report, which is good news for mobile app developers in Vancouver.
It also promises to be the year of multiple TV subscriptions, and greater adoption of wearable technology, especially anything sports or health related – again good news for Vancouver developers like Recon Instruments, Physi-Cal Enterprises Inc., (maker of the MIO heart monitor wristwatch), and Vandrico, which is developing apps for Google Glass.
In its annual TMT forecast, Deloitte predicts smart glasses, fitness bands and smartwatches will sell about 10 million units in 2014, generating $3 billion.
With the smartphone and tablet markets already heavily saturated, Deloitte predicts 2014 will be the year of the phablet.
With screens of five to seven inches, phablets are a hybrid between a smartphone and tablet. As such, they will need new apps or existing apps and websites will need to be optimized, which will provide lots of opportunities for Vancouver's development community, says Kari Lockhart, Deloitte's BC Technology, Media and Telecommunications Industry leader.
"I think the biggest (trend) that affects all companies is the rise of the phablet," Lockhart said. "Those apps will have to be optimized for that particular type of device."
As for television, Canadian cable companies need not worry about Canadians abandoning traditional TV in large numbers, despite the fact many are opting for Internet based streaming services, like Netflix. Canadians are not cutting the cable cord so much as "cord stacking, the 2014 TMT predictions find.
In other words, Canadians are still subscribing to cable TV, but are increasingly also subscribing to Netflix or other streaming services, such as Apple TV or even through the new generation of game consoles, which have a whole new level of TV media functionality.
And if a report from Carrt.ca is true, Rogers Communications Inc. (TSX:RCI) is planning to launch a Netflix-type TV streaming service.
According to Cartt.ca, Rogers has invested $100 million in acquiring movie and TV content for a new steaming service. Rogers has not confirmed the reports.
Meanwhile, YouTube recently announced it will launch ultra-high 4K streaming, something that has the folks at Broadband TV excited.
The Vancouver company provides a number of services for YouTube broadcasters, including monetization through embedded ads.
"Though 4K is still in the relatively early stages, it's on our radar and our partnership with YouTube keeps us up to date with all relevant developments," said Broadband TV founder and CEO Shahrzad Rafati.
"We're excited to be at the forefront of online video in Canada and are looking forward to seeing how we can play a role in 4K's development here. With a number of significant gaming companies and a growing tech community in Vancouver, I'm sure there will be a number of local businesses that will keep close tabs on it."
