2014 to be the year of apps and smart devices

Connected devices, smart apps and wearable technology will start to transform the way businesses work and interact with their customers in 2014, according to Derek Laney, director of product marketing management of Salesforce.com.

Laney said the trends evident at this year’s CES shows that everyday consumer items are becoming smarter, with smart toothbrushes and crockpots featuring prominently in the coverage.

The new breed of smart consumer products will give a range of companies an opportunity to attach services to their wares, delivering a richer customer experience.

This year will also see the emergence of more wearable devices, Laney predicted, but only those products that evolve past their current state of a glorified pedometer will succeed in the market.

On the work side, Laney expects the rise of wearable tech, coupled with the right mobile apps, to allow more Australian employees to ditch their laptops while travelling this year.

Branding 2014 the “year of apps”, Laney said to expect an explosion in the variety and quality of apps available to consumers.

Companies that invest in the right apps and smart technology will meanwhile be able to significantly improve productivity, he said, and location-based mobile commerce is expected to become a key sales channel in 2014.

Pictured: Salesforce.com's Derek Laney.