Digital Lifescapes

The wearable technology sector growth was largely a story about the smartwatch: a premium product anchored around a single wrist, sold at a steep price, and adopted primarily by the health-conscious and the tech-savvy. That narrative is now changing in ways that are genuinely interesting to anyone tracking the intersection of Applied-AI, consumer electronics, digital health, and connectivity infrastructure. The latest worldwide market study by ABI Research offers a timely and data-rich window into just how fast that transformation is unfolding. Wearables Market Development Wearable device shipments are projected to grow from 402.96 million in 2026 to 544.08 million by 2031, as vendors broaden access to advanced health, fitness, and connectivity features at more affordable price points. That is not incremental growth; it represents a meaningful expansion of who is wearing smart technology and why. Equally compelling is the revenue picture: the category is expected to generate $44.22 bil...

What was once a simple, unidirectional flow of electricity from centralized power plants to passive consumers is evolving into a complex, intelligent network where millions of distributed resources actively participate in grid operations. This transformation, powered by smart grid technologies, represents one of the most significant infrastructure shifts of our time. It promises to reshape how we generate, distribute, and consume energy. At its core, the smart grid represents far more than mere digitization of existing infrastructure.  This bi-directional capability is fundamental to understanding why smart grids are becoming the backbone of modern energy systems, facilitating everything from real-time demand response to the integration of renewable energy sources. Smart Grid Market Development By 2030, smart grid technologies are projected to cover nearly half of the global electrical grid, up dramatically from just 24 percent in 2025. This expansion is underpinned by explosive gr...

Satellite communications is now driven by Low Earth Orbit (LEO) networks. From once niche technology serving remote outposts, LEO satellites are becoming mainstream — delivering high-speed, low-latency broadband everywhere from city centers to far-flung islands. According to Gartner's latest market study, global spending on LEO satellite communications services will reach $14.8 billion in 2026, marking a 24.5 percent jump in just a single year. LEO Satellites Market Development Unlike traditional geostationary satellites positioned tens of thousands of kilometers above the Earth, LEO satellites orbit at much lower altitudes — typically between 500 and 2,000km. This proximity yields two key advantages for modern communications: 1) Lower latency: Data can travel from ground station to satellite and back much faster, unlocking real-time internet use and interactive applications. 2) Broader coverage and capacity: Large, multiplying constellations can tile the planet, reaching regions w...

In an era where wireless connectivity is pervasive, Satellite Internet of Things (IoT) can change industries, offering leaders unprecedented opportunities to drive efficiency and innovation. As industries across the globe seek to enhance operational efficiency and sustainability, satellite IoT emerges as a pivotal enabler. According to a worldwide study by ABI Research, the Satellite IoT market is forecast to reach $4 billion by 2030, with over 26 million connections anticipated. "Prominent satellite IoT providers such as Inmarsat, ORBCOMM, Globalstar, Myriota, and hiSky have been actively working together with their partners to expand their service offerings and enhance connectivity solutions," said Jake Saunders, vice president at ABI Research . Satellite IoT Market Development The satellite IoT market's expansion is largely fueled by its application across key verticals, including agriculture, energy and utilities, fisheries and aquaculture, and environmental monitorin...

The Economic Recovery Corps (ERC) is a new, collaborative initiative designed to accelerate recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic in communities and regions throughout the U.S. by connecting organizations with the talent and capacity needed to advance new ways of doing economic development. However, it's unknown if new technology will be a key component. For example, less than 25 percent of government organizations will have Generative Artificial Intelligence ( GenAI ) enabled citizen-facing services by 2027, according to the latest worldwide market study by Gartner. Furthermore, fear of public failure and a lack of community trust in government use of the technology will slow adoption for external use by a nation's citizens. Government GenAI Market Development Like many organizations over the past 15 months, federal and regional governments have been exploring the opportunities and risks associated with the emergence of GenAI tools. Gartner’s annual global survey of over 2,400 C...

Legacy search engine marketing best practices are vulnerable. Why now? Generative AI (GenAI) capabilities are being rapidly adopted for technology sector marketing efficiency gains. To prepare for more shifts beyond their direct control, tech product marketers must address disruptions in key marketing channels, engagement approaches, and required investments. The savvy business-to-business (B2B) CMOs are already piloting and deploying GenAI tools. GenAI Tools B2B Market Development By 2026, traditional search engine volume will drop by 25 percent, with search marketing losing market share to AI chatbots and other virtual agents, according to the latest market study by Gartner.  "Organic and Paid Search are vital channels for tech marketers seeking to reach awareness and demand generation goals," said Alan Antin, vice president at Gartner . Now GenAI solutions are becoming substitute answer engines, replacing user queries that previously may have been executed in traditional ...

Digital identity verification is a security method applied in the processing of digital transactions. Digital identity verification is used to enable the remote verification of an individual’s identity, ensuring that they are who they claim to be online. This is most often used for digital onboarding customers onto an online service, but can also be used to verify identity when authorizing Fintech money transfers, or for access management. With the growing threats and increasingly complex fraud methods used by malicious actors, it is vital that institutions that handle sensitive data use up-to-date methods to protect their end-users. Digital Identity Market Development Many digital identity verification vendors offer solutions that increase the accuracy, security, and user experience of the digital onboarding process, and of other digital identity verification use cases. It's important that due to the variety of digital business use cases, other secure forms of identity verificatio...

Government decarbonization targets are specific goals set to significantly reduce or eliminate carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions. These targets are a critical component of global efforts to combat current climate change risks. Governments establish these goals to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change by promoting the adoption of renewable energy sources, enhancing energy efficiency, and sustainable transportation. These targets typically involve setting a timeline with measurable milestones to track progress and ensure accountability toward a cleaner, healthier planet for future generations. Electric Vehicle Market Development With the growing government decarbonization targets, Electric Vehicle (EV) production will increase rapidly this decade. New EV adoption will require a corresponding growth in EV battery output. According to the latest worldwide market study by ABI Research, global EV battery output production will increase nearly six times to 2,585 GWh b...

Unlike traditional mobile communication ecosystems, an emerging market will be defined by the entrance of a new category of service providers, satellite vendors. These vendors will work with telecom network operators to deploy Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs) that are utilized alongside terrestrial networks. They are a joint development between terrestrial network operators and satellite vendors. In the future, NTNs will integrate directly with satellite-based networks to provide combined connectivity services. 5G Satellite Network Market Development According to the latest worldwide market study by Juniper Research, network operators will generate $17 billion of additional revenue from Third-generation Partnership Project (3GPP) compliant 5G satellite networks between 2024 and 2030. Juniper has urged terrestrial network operators to sign partnerships with Satellite Network Operators (SNOs) which will enable operators to launch monetizable satellite-based 5G services to their subscriber...

Protecting payment data is integral to the security of the digital payments ecosystem. In an increasingly interconnected world, with a growing number of payment options, the need for strong security solutions is clear. With so many payment methods now in use, the need to ensure that consumer data is protected across all channels is growing. One of the core concerns for many forms of data protection is Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards compliance. Network Tokenization is a technology that replaces payment card data with a network-issued token and unique transaction cryptograms. The technology reduces the potential for fraud, improves the merchant and consumer experience, increases approval rates, and reduces overall transaction costs. Network Tokenization Market Development According to the latest worldwide market study by Juniper Research, they forecast substantial growth of 190 percent in network-tokenized transactions -- reaching 400 billion globally in 2028, that's u...

Battery power management is a critical technology for the evolution of Electric Vehicles (EVs). It's the process of optimizing the use of battery energy to maximize the range and performance of an EV.  A Battery Management System (BMS) can monitor the battery's state of health and use a variety of algorithms to control the charging and discharging of the battery. BMSs can also help to improve the efficiency of the EV by reducing energy loss. Advanced BMS software could save automakers $18 billion annually in 2030, equivalent to $76 billion cumulatively from 2024. ABI Research finds that intelligent BMS software can reduce the size of EV batteries without reducing their range. This performance efficiency helps to cut the cost of manufacturing EVs, enabling automakers to mitigate the effects of limited battery production and achieve greater profitability. Battery Management System Market Development "OEMs are struggling with two competing issues: the demand from customers fo...

Modern satellite communication continues to evolve as new service providers explore niche applications that give them an opportunity to compete with the incumbent global providers. This is a area of wireless telecom infrastructure that is noteworthy, as more unique uses cases are explored.   Decreasing costs of satellite launches and lower capital outlays have enabled several new Small Satellite (SmallSat) operators to enter the Internet-of-Things (IoT) market with low-cost and low-power satellite connectivity offerings. SmallSat IoT Market Development These new entities seek to challenge the traditional satellite IoT service provider incumbents -- including Inmarsat, Iridium, ORBCOMM, and Globalstar -- to provide a more cost-effective solution for end customers in a variety of industries. According to the latest worldwide market study by ABI Research, total satellite IoT connections will increase from 10.4 million in 2022 to reach 27 million in 2030 (a CAGR of 12.7 percent). ...

Climate change has already driven many CFOs and other senior executives to explore the most effective ways to ensure access to electricity that meets demand in the Global Networked Economy. Escalating energy prices pose a formidable obstacle to business leaders worldwide. During 2023, those prices will surge to a global $1.73 trillion enterprise spend on electricity consumption -- which considers the electrification acceleration of vehicle fleets and robots. As a result, the C-suite is now compelled to reassess their energy purchase agreements with utilities, contemplate installing renewable micro-grid systems, and prioritize energy efficiency. To do so, enterprises will invest $70 billion on smart energy solutions by 2030. Smart Energy Market Development In response, ABI Research has launched its Smart Energy for Enterprises and Industries research service to guide leaders on navigating the globally disrupted energy markets, achieving energy independence, and transitioning to renewabl...

The global financial services market continues to evolve. With the rise of digital payment options, the ability to facilitate payments quickly became a vital element in the current convenience-driven Fintech landscape. Payment cards have previously been the end products of complex payment systems. They have also been instrumental in advancing the underlying payments technology infrastructure, constituting the cornerstone of a fully functioning payments ecosystem. Regardless of their evolution and popularity, plastic cards now stand at a crossroads and face new competition from purely digital payment platforms. The most prominent examples of such platforms are Digital Wallets and Superapps.  Fintech Payments Market Development According to the latest worldwide market study by Juniper Research, the number of payment cards issued via digital platforms will reach 1.3 billion annually by 2027 -- that's up from just 500 million in 2023. This growth of 170 percent reflects the growing int...

Precision Medicine uses molecular info to extract the optimum medical method from diagnostic protocols, by merging the impact of environmental and genetic factors. Data access is essential, with genetic metabolic and clinical data used to build a fuller picture of a patient's biology. Moreover, the primary aim of precision medicine is to design and optimize a pathway for diagnosis, therapeutic intervention, and prognosis, using large biological datasets. Personalized, evidence-based medicine uses stored health data, which includes patient diagnosis, laboratory work, insurance claims, and demographic information. The results enable healthcare providers to predict and prevent some illnesses. Precision Medicine Market Development According to the latest worldwide market study by Juniper Research, the total investment in precision medicine will reach $132.3 billion globally by 2027 -- that's increasing from only $35.7 billion in 2022. The significant market growth of 270 percent is...

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proposed rule changes that would require climate-related disclosures and periodic reports -- including risks that are likely to have a material impact on a corporation. Business technologies might be a key component of responding to new SEC requirements. Cloud service sustainability, carbon footprint measurement, and advanced energy grid management software are three environmental technologies that could reach early mainstream adoption within one to three years. "Environmental sustainability cannot be the responsibility of just a few industries -- if our climate is to be protected, sustainable business must be a global priority," said Annette Zimmermann, vice president at Gartner . Sustainability Technology Market Development According to the Gartner assessment, the transition to a net-zero economy will be as disruptive as the industrial revolution or the digital revolution -- requiring new technologies, business models, leade...

The COP26 Summit (in Glasgow, Scotland)  brought parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Meanwhile, the circular economy is a key sustainability strategy adopted by industry leaders in their efforts to achieve progress. While the circular economy is still in its infancy in terms of data and metrics, it's a growing phenomenon where technology sectors -- such as the Internet of Things (IoT) for asset tracking -- are set to grow rapidly within the next five years. Global technology intelligence firm ABI Research forecasts that the world will achieve over 10.5 percent circularity by 2030, as sustainability efforts and incoming legislation start to take effect. Circular Economy Tech Market Development "The circular economy is an often-misunderstood concept that goes much further than waste management and can become a blueprint for cities. It is a movement away from our take-make-waste economy ...

Forward-thinking wireless communications policy is essential to every nation's plan to fully participate in the rapidly expanding Global Networked Economy. Faster, more reliable, more efficient, and more widespread Wi-Fi coverage is becoming increasingly vital to progress. Wi-Fi-enabled devices will increase from 3.3 billion annual unit shipments in 2019 to more than 4.6 billion by 2024, a growth that underscores the need for a more robust Wi-Fi network, according to the latest worldwide market study by ABI Research. While the growing reach of Wi-Fi will be driven by several advancements -- such as Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi’s expansion into the 60 Gigahertz (GHz) and sub-1 GHz bands through WiGig and HaLow -- the most exciting change is the anticipated availability of 6 GHz spectrum over the next few years. Wi-Fi Innovation Market Development “It is hard to overstate the potential that 6 GHz and Wi-Fi 6E can bring to Wi-Fi networks,” says Andrew Zignani, principal analyst at ABI Re...

The global automotive industry continues to explore ways to integrate the internet of things (IoT) technology into vehicles during the manufacturing process. Connected car capabilities provide the foundation for third parties to offer innovative new telematics-related applications. According to the latest worldwide market study by Berg Insight, the number of active aftermarket car telematics units will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.6 percent from 58.7 million at the end of 2018 to 150 million at the end of 2023. Automobile Telematics Market Development Berg Insight’s definition of an aftermarket car telematics solution includes both cellular GNSS and RF-based solutions. A growing number of aftermarket telematics services have in the past few years become available for consumers that want to add services and connectivity to automobiles. Berg Insight forecasts that shipments of aftermarket car telematics devices for consumer applications will grow from 20.3 m...

The Internet of Things (IoT) has numerous applications within the energy and utility sector. As an example, smart meter penetration in North America is forecast to reach 81 percent by 2024. A smart meter is a new kind of gas and electricity meter that can digitally send meter readings to the energy supplier for more accurate consumption readings. Smart meters can also provide in-home displays that enable the consumer to better monitor and manage their energy usage. According to the latest worldwide market study by Berg Insight, the installed base of smart electricity meters in North America will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 8 percent between 2018 and 2024 to reach 142.8 million units at the end of the forecast period. Smart Meter Market Development Over the next five years, smart meter penetration among electricity customers in the U.S. and Canada is projected to increase from around 60 percent in 2018 to more than 80 percent by the end of 2024. "North Americ...