Who could have predicted the nature, risks, and timing of the current pandemic crisis! Perhaps that’s how trends emerge and have a long-lasting influence even beyond the crisis. In a matter of three months, we have already seen the world adopt several new trends to keep life functional, practical, and safe.
Now the question is how long these new trends will stay. Will they stay niche for a few months? One year? Three years? On the other hand, perhaps we will witness accelerated mass adoption of these trends because of external triggers. In times like these, everything looks to be in flux. However, we are generally seeing a lot of new trends and behaviors being embraced.
This cultural and industrial change is not easy. It is almost shocking how old rules are breaking. Some businesses are shaken. For instance, the hospitality industry and cinemas. Even if the virus begins to vanish, I would still prefer having entertainment with my Spectrum TV choice instead of going to a cinema!
Let’s talk about the top trends we’ll witness in the post-coronavirus world.
8 Technological Trends We are Going to Witness in the Post-Corona World
- Shopstreaming.
- Virtual Experience Economy.
- Ambient Wellness.
- Remote Work.
- Online Shopping & Robot Deliveries.
- Virtual Companions.
- Open Source Solutions.
- The Burnout.
Let’s talk about theses trends we’ll witness in the post-coronavirus world in detail.
1- Shopstreaming
Experts have been hinting at the merger of two major trends – live-streaming and e-commerce since 2017. Now we even have a new term for it.
Shopstreaming is here to stay. It will spell out the next direction for social connections as well as online shopping. You can use these three terms to explain it – experiential, interactive, and in real-time. In China, for instance, the recent COVID crisis has led to a sharp increase in the live-streaming market.
What’s new is that the live-streaming is now a heady mix of community, entertainment, and commerce. This has already raised the e-commerce expectations and we will be seeing developments to refine this new trend on a global scale.
2- Virtual Experience Economy
We already know about the Experience Economy. The times we are living in are quite uncertain. Superstars are canceling tours, no movie shootings are going on, sports leagues are called off, places like the Louvre are shut, and the Olympics look precarious.
All of this has led to a massive void in everyone’s life. The notion of entertainment is going to change. The world may not return to how it used to be for quite some time now. But that doesn’t mean people don’t need entertainment. They need it even more than before because of uncertainty, fear, and monotony they are experiencing in lockdowns and quarantines.
That is where immersive technologies come into the picture. People will be able to get experience-based fixes from virtual experiences. E-sports and social media are clear manifestations of consumers accruing status in the virtual realm.
Experts will now be watching out for other, less competitive, and less explored virtual experiences. They will take travel, exploration, retail, and gatherings to the new levels of experience.
3- Ambient Wellness
Moving through daily life has become challenging at the moment. People are super conscious and reach out for hand sanitizers frantically. Right now, they are focusing to remain safe and healthy. However, as the pandemic passes, we all know that we will revert to our old, less hygienic habits. So, it is important to create an environment which suits a healthy living for a longer period of time.
The desire to stay well and safe will not fade away anytime soon. That is where a huge opportunity will emerge. The providers and renters of physical spaces can contribute to making a healthy lifestyle effortless. They will introduce precautions and health-boosting measures to their spaces. You will see them everywhere, malls, restaurants, shops, offices, and so on.
4- Remote Work
The work dynamics of people across the globe have changed. Companies, big and small, including email marketing firms have asked their employees to telecommute or work from home. With the uncertainty about when this pandemic ends, work from home is the next new normal.
Technologies like VPNs (virtual private networks), VoIP (voice over internet protocol), virtual meetings, videoconferencing platforms/apps, cloud technology, and work collaboration tools have enabled people to work effectively from home. The main concern is to stop the spread of the virus. However, remote work also has other benefits such as saving commute time and fuel. Employees, especially millennials preferred telecommuting before the pandemic crisis because it offers more flexibility.
We cannot overlook the challenges, which work from home is imposing on both, employers and employees. Some of the biggest concerns are privacy, information security, and timely tech support. Labor laws and income tax issues are also complicated by remote work. On the emotional side, employees are experiencing a lack of work-life balance and loneliness.
Regulations and laws need to updates in order to accommodate telecommuting. If it continues for a long time, employers may consider hiring employees at cheaper labor costs from other regions of the world.
5- Online Shopping & Robot Deliveries
When SARS broke out back in 2002, China witnessed a massive growth in business-to-consumer and business-to-business marketplaces online. In the same way, COVID-19 has made shopping from convenient to a must-have across the globe. people are now ordering food online from restaurants.
However, the main challenge with all sorts of online shopping is the spread of the virus. Delivering via delivery persons is not virus-proof. Therefore, a robust and solid logistics system has to be in place. Restaurants and delivery companies in the United States are now contactless payment and delivery services. So, this is how the whole dynamic of industries could bring about revolution in the different fields of life.
Goods will be picked and dropped at the designated locations without the involvement of human contact. Robot deliveries and even drone deliveries are in the developmental phases. If the pandemic situation persists, we will see robot deliveries to be more prevalent worldwide.
6- Virtual Companions
Virtual companions is not a new concept. However, it is a controversial one. People have accepted and welcomed the use of chatbots and digital assistants when it comes to official work, home chores, and shopping. However, we are expecting evolution in this regard and the concept of virtual personalities is now a legit one.
Virtual personalities will be able to educate, entertain, befriend, and even heal. The virtual personalities we have been seeing in the Hollywood movies will be a reality now. If the pandemic crisis persists, people will turn more to their virtual companions. In addition, people will stick to these companions even after the crisis is over.
7- Open Source Solutions
The communities at large are facing similar challenges. Moreover, they are willing to help each other with innovative solutions. Offering open source solutions is like a new and bold frontier for sustainability.
It would not be wrong to say that coronavirus is one of the most critical and urgent cross-demographic and transnational problems in recent history. It has reminded and urged people that collaborating generously with others is the way to survive.
8- The Burnout
The coronavirus along with health crises and increased fears of the economic slump has caused people severe mental anguish. Moreover, the list of worries doesn’t stop there. People have faced rampant inequality, social competition, and the looming existential threat of climatic crisis.
There’s no timeline to when the virus is expected to end. Therefore, amid all these worries, the organization with the motive of improving people’s mental health will be readily welcomed. People have steady subscriptions to Internet plans. Reaching out online will be much easier and safer.
