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Home Furnishings Banking its Future on Touchscreen Devices

Posted by Brandon Weaver | Fri, Jan 25, 2013 @ 10:08 AM

home furnishings smartphone automationTechnology continues to dominate society. People checking their social media feeds, updating their status', comparison shopping, checking stock prices and sports scores. Even with all of these fun features, innovations in technology prove to be productive and beneficial as well. Fresh off of CES 2013, home automation continues to 'wow' us with new gadgets and its new capabilities. This may not be more apparent than in the home furnishings industry with its overlap into smartphones and tablets.

In hindsight, it seems inevitable that the home furnishings industry would tap into the smartphone-tablet-remote-automation business. The advent of the remote control has helped the home entertainment systems industry thrive over the years. Call it being lazy, offering simplicity or otherwise - the remote control has offered a great luxury we all enjoy. Universal remotes now have the ability to control multiple systems. Growing popularity, and almost necessity of, smartphones and tablets now act as remote controls, with ever-evolving capabilities. Are we witnessing the future of home furnishings?

Make no mistake, people love touchscreen technology. If the picture above is any indication, consumers will be able to control anything and everything from the touch of their fingertips. Microsoft and Apple both fought over this new technology which combines wireless signals and RFID-enabled devices. Without getting all "techy," this allows a synchronized radio signal to operate other devices using that same signal - similar to bluetooth and hands-free cell phone usage in automobiles.

The company in question is R2 Studios and one of its main purposes is to bolster the XBOX gaming platform into an even greater entertainment hub for living rooms. XBOX's already function as a popular game consoles, online competition and offer video streaming via Netflix. But total control functionality is next with app downloads through smartphone and tablets.

Apple and Android-based hardware devices are Windows' biggest competitors. Even though Microsoft bought the rights to R2, we think it is safe to say Apple and Android developers will not be far behind, especially since Apple had initial interest in the first place.

The home furnishings industry is primed to open a new market segment, with the help of smartphone technology and app developers. Consider the following data:

With app developers continuing to push the envelope, it is only a matter of time before universal remotes are a thing of the past. Soon you will be able to set a recording for your favorite show, check to see who's online in Call of Duty or Madden, turn off the lights and even adjust the thermostat from a single device.

Complete home automation is coming - whether or not you already own a smartphone, or are loyal to Apple or Android. Universal remotes will quickly become obsolete as RFID-enabled smartphones and electronics make their way into your pocket and living room.

Are you ready?

 

Topics: Home Furnishings, Technology

Written by Brandon Weaver