Forget about the convergence of TV, Internet and phones, there’s a new convergence out there and it goes like this:
New technology + recession/bad economy = massive behavioral changes, that is, convergence.
In essence it means there is an acceleration of the previous trends like the decline of print and the movement online. It also means that consumers will cut back or be forced to cut back spending on things they don’t feel are of value while still using some of the digital devices in new ways like:
- Narrowing their access to the Internet to those devices they feel are of value, such as using an iPhone and even iPod Touch for access, retaining broadband while dropping other services like a home phone line or even going to a cheaper phone package while using devices to text more than talk.
- Dropping the few print subscriptions they still have to read everything online.
- Accessing TV through the Internet.
This is just the tip of things. The digital economy gives consumers more options, but has always meant that few people will be able to use everything. With a weakening economy, the devices will be narrowed even more but their uses will be expanded.
And, remember, the future is mobile.
