The ubiquity of sound has consumers relying on audio to define experiences
Implications - With soundtracks serving to enhance movie-going experiences, consumers are extending that sentiment into real life with mood-enhancing audio. Using devices and apps that add music to everyday situations, consumers are using sounds to add definition and meaning to mundane activities. This reflects the need to extend entertainment experiences beyond the big screen and into everyday life.
Trend Themes
1. Experiential Audio - Sound-emitting coffee table books, mood-enhancing lamps, and colorful Bluetooth speakers showcase the trend of experiential audio, where sound is used to enhance everyday experiences beyond just entertainment.
2. Audible Virtual Reality - Sounds of Street View and other audible virtual reality experiences create a new dimension to visual immersion, offering disruptive innovation opportunities in gaming, navigation, and advertising.
3. Soundtrack Apps - Video soundtrack apps like Zoe by HTC extend the storytelling experience on social media beyond text and visuals, offering a new content creation opportunity for music and video-sharing platforms.
Industry Implications
1. Home Furnishings and Decor - Experiential audio presents opportunities for designers to incorporate sound in furniture and decor, pushing the boundaries of multi-sensory experiences in interior design.
2. Emerging Virtual Reality - Audible virtual reality experiences have potential to disrupt the gaming, navigation, and advertising industries by augmenting visual content with audio.
3. Music and Video-sharing Platforms - Soundtrack apps can serve as a competitive edge for music and video-sharing platforms, creating an avenue for new content types and boosting engagement.
