The Future of Work: What’s Next for Hardware

Shift in Hardware Preferences

• Demand for physical desktop phones is declining in favor of software-based communication tools (e.g., Zoom) that run on laptops or desktops.
• Office printing activity is accelerating its exit as physical document transport between remote and office locations becomes impractical.
• Increased capital expenditure on personal home hardware, specifically PCs, to support sustained remote work capabilities.

Infrastructure and Cloud Migration Trends

• On-premise data centers are identified as less resilient than cloud-based distributed infrastructure, which is expected to see accelerated adoption following pandemic disruptions.
• Traditional IT infrastructure companies face projected revenue declines of approximately 3% annually over the next five years due to cloud migration.
• Emerging service models may involve infrastructure providers deploying wireless LAN access points directly to residential locations in exchange for remote troubleshooting rights and holistic connection monitoring.

Emerging Consumer Technologies

• Mobile scanning technologies (Face ID, LiDAR) currently found in smartphones and tablets (e.g., iPad Pro) are poised for integration into laptops, desktops, and monitors to enable virtual 3D environments.
• Augmented Reality (AR) and Extended Reality (XR) glasses are projected for mass adoption in 3–5 years; immediate products in the next couple of years will not offer full immersion.
• Current facial scanning and tracking capabilities are expected to rapidly enhance interaction richness before full AR systems become viable.

5G and Broadband Connectivity

• 5G is primarily viewed as a strategic asset for enhancing home broadband access without requiring new physical wiring (fiber), rather than significantly altering smartphone experiences.
• Governments are increasingly recognizing robust broadband infrastructure as a critical strategic necessity to ensure resilience during future lockdowns or disruptions.
• 5G aims to unify connectivity, allowing seamless access to high-speed networks across home, mobile, and office environments.
• Technical variables such as signal penetration through trees or physical obstructions are still being tested; widespread residential 5G broadband availability data is expected by the end of next year.