Are The Days Of PCs Numbered?

What happens in Japan is generally a sign of what is to come in other countries and the Japanese PC market is showing signs of softness. It seems people are bypassing their PCs in favour of direct downloads to their televisions and mobile phones. Is this an indication of things to come?

In an article that reminds us of the Three Region Theory For Mobile Phones, AP suggests that the computer’s role in Japanese homes is diminishing, replaced by gadgets like smart phones that act like pocket-size computers; advanced Internet-connected game consoles; and digital video recorders with terabytes of memory.

Japan’s PC market is already shrinking, leading analysts to wonder whether Japan will become the first major market to see a decline in personal computer use some 25 years after it revolutionized household electronics — and whether this could be the picture of things to come in other countries.

It’s clear why consumers are shunning PCs. Millions download music directly to their mobiles, and many more use their handsets for online shopping and to play games. Digital cameras connect directly to printers and high-definition TVs for viewing photos, bypassing PCs altogether. Movies now download straight to TVs.It’s clear why consumers are shunning PCs.

Millions download music directly to their mobiles, and many more use their handsets for online shopping and to play games. Digital cameras connect directly to printers and high-definition TVs for viewing photos, bypassing PCs altogether. Movies now download straight to TVs.

Source: PSFK