The consumer electronics (CE) market is a bright spot for 1394, a high-speed serial bus specification, also called Firewire or i.Link, that is battling with competing technologies in several markets, reports In-Stat. 1394a has increasing penetration in digital television, set top box, and portable digital audio player markets. The CE segment is forecast to be roughly equal to the PC segment in 2005 unit shipments, and will move well past it in 2006. The prospects for the technology in the computer market will be mixed. "PCs will be driven by the notebook category," says Brian O'Rourke, In-Stat analyst. "1394 will also grow in consumer desktops, but remain nearly non-existent in commercial desktops. Overall, PC peripheral growth will be negative, as high-speed USB dominates the segment." Report highlights include: The 1394c specification is close to completion. It is an attempt to jump-start 1394 as a networking technology, where it has had trouble gaining acceptance. Devices with Wireless 1394, a specification to transmit 1394 wirelessly over Ultra Wideband, should begin to hit the market in 2006.
The digital wallet evolution represents far more than a convenient alternative to carrying physical payment cards or cash. What began as a pandemic-driven necessity has evolved into a fundamental reimagining of financial services delivery. As these platforms mature into comprehensive financial ecosystems, they're addressing one of the most persistent challenges in modern commerce: ensuring that everyone can participate in the Global Networked Economy . Digital wallet transactions surged 110 percent between 2020 and 2025, propelled initially by health concerns but sustained by genuine value creation. Juniper Research projects the user base will expand from 4.5 billion in 2025 to 6 billion by 2030, representing more than three-quarters of the global population. Digital Wallet Market Development What makes this expansion compelling is the diversity of wallet architectures emerging to serve different market needs. Open-loop systems like PayPal have achieved global reach through their f...