We are increasingly dealing with digital convergence in all areas of our lives. Efficiency and productivity have been optimized by real-time access and sharing of information, regardless of location. Furthermore, according to a 2023 Accenture study, the integration between the physical and digital worlds is enabling government agencies and businesses to reorient their operations for greater success. Professionals and students easily conduct video calls, participate in virtual meetings, and attend webinars using electronic devices, essential tools in the corporate and academic environments.
When we consider leisure time, various devices, such as smartphones and smart TVs, as well as their accessories, can offer immersive and personalized experiences for consuming digital content. Watching movies, playing video games, and listening to music become enriching activities thanks to enhanced sound quality and wireless connectivity, for example. According to DataReportal in 2023, the average time spent online by internet users was 6 hours and 37 minutes per day, highlighting the importance of these devices in our daily routines.
Given this history, digital convergence is the primary driver of transformation, integrating various technologies and platforms into a single device or system. Bluetooth technology, for example, allows devices like smartphones to connect simultaneously to multiple other gadgets, such as headphones and smartwatches. This integration also extends to virtual assistants and streaming platforms, accessible directly from devices like smart speakers, which have become central control hubs in many homes.
Technological innovations, such as active noise cancellation and high-definition sound quality in audio devices, further enhance the versatility of these devices, allowing use in diverse settings, combining home and corporate applications. Sound systems, for example, can be used in corporate meetings and social gatherings alike.
We can say that the pandemic drastically accelerated digital convergence. Before 2020, most interactions and activities were predominantly in-person – home office had a still-limited but evolving presence. From 2020 onwards, the use of hybrid devices soared, enabling the continuation of activities in a remote environment. Last year's Pew Research Center study indicates that, although remote work has receded, it remains five times higher than pre-pandemic levels, and the hybrid format is growing in the marketplace, showcasing how much change the period brought about.
This transformation of electronic devices reflects a trend in our society – we seek technologies that not only meet a need, but also function across various moments, being explored in leisure, during physical activities, during work, and during study. Digital convergence is the key to this transformation, and its impact will continue to shape the future of consumer technology, also bringing a better cost-benefit ratio to its user. According to Grand View Research, the global connected devices market is expected to grow at a rate of 12% per year until 2026, driven by the continuous integration of new technologies.
The versatility of electronic devices, driven by digital convergence, is a reality here to stay. The challenge lies in finding a balance in technology use, leveraging its benefits without letting it dominate our relationships and routines. Awareness of device usage time, encouragement of offline activities, and creating moments of disconnection are important steps to ensure that technology is an ally, not an enemy, of family relationships.
As electronic devices become fundamental in various daily environments, facilitating everything from virtual meetings to the consumption of digital content, digital convergence emerges as a fuel for this transformation. As innovations integrate diverse platforms, the versatility of these devices promises to redefine how we interact at work, in studies, and during leisure.
