Smartphone cameras could be poised to transform a number of industries, as ‘selfies’ transition from frivolous fad to technological phenomenon, according to a new report from Sony Mobile. The report and accompanying research, released in conjunction with Futurizon and based on a survey of 6500 consumers, found that consumers are open to the ‘vast number of potential applications’ for camera photography.
Working with futurologist Dr Ian Pearson, Sony Mobile explored a number of sectors likely to incorporate smartphone photography and selfies as a technological function in the future. The potential applications were wide-ranging, from theme parks building ‘selfie-coasters’ that let adrenaline-junkies capture their experience on the latest rides, to shoppers using it as a ‘virtual personal assistant’ to try on multiple outfits at the touch of a button.
“The project has given us a real sense of how selfies and video calls have evolved, and why they could be set to transform so many different sectors. At Sony Mobile we face the dual task of designing smartphones that make consumers’ lives easier today, while keeping an eye on what the future holds and being part of driving innovation and change. We have always seen photography as being a key function at the heart of the smartphone and have already advanced front camera technology in our Xperia™ XZ for superior quality photos, so it’s incredibly exciting to find that consumers are ready to embrace selfies for such a wide range of future uses that enhance our everyday lives,” said Jason Smith, Vice President, Middle East & Africa at Sony Mobile Communications.
The report identified the top 10 ways in which selfies could evolve:
1. Socializing: Taking a selfie with your companions to find out what they really think
2. Medical: Over a quarter of people would prefer to see their GP via a selfie or video call, in the first instance
3. Banking: Nearly half of 25-34 year olds would feel more secure if accessing their bank through a ‘selfie password’
4. Leisure: Around half of thrill-seekers would like to try a ‘selfiecoaster’ – a rollercoaster that puts you in control of capturing your experience on the ride
5. Fitness: selfies that work with AI (Artificial Intelligence) to capture body monitoring e.g. testing heart rates and even suggesting how to improve on technique and how accurately a move is being performed
6. Made to Measure: taking a 3D body image for made-to-measure clothes
7. Retail: using your smartphone camera to try on different outfits suited to your body shape, at the touch of a button
8. Social Currency: paying for entry to the cinema or a tourist attraction through a selfie
9. Robots: Using your smartphone to control drones or robots to take selfies from other or extreme locations
10. Home: Using selfies to secure and access our homes and cars
“Through this report, it has been fascinating to chart the evolution of selfies and smartphone photography with the team at Sony Mobile. But even more encouraging has been the response from consumers, who have shown they are open to the range of future uses for selfies and video calls,” Dr Pearson added.
According to him, the results indicate that selfies are well on their way to transitioning from fad to technological phenomenon, and provide food for thought to a number of industries.
