By 2014, personal online cloud services will take over from the personal computer as consumers download and use services on cloud-based systems on a variety of products, including smartphones and tablets, according to a new report.
The research, from Gartner, looks at the $2.2 trillion dollar consumer digital devices, services and content market.
Gartner has put a time limit on the PC’s position. It will be replaced by a new PC, the ‘personal cloud,’ by 2014.
Gartner says that a number of factors will cause its prediction to come true. That includes the rise of the ‘virtualisation’ of applications, the use of self-service cloud systems, and people being able to use their applications and content on the go from a variety of hardware devices.
Gartner defines ‘personal cloud’ as services that allow users to store, synchronise, stream and share content, using multiple connected devices such as smartphones, media tablets, televisions and PCs over the Internet.
Examples include Netflix, Google Apps, Amazon Music, Microsoft SkyDrive and Apple’s iCloud.
This trend is being driven by the proliferation of end user devices, Gartner says. “Users will use a collection of devices, with the PC remaining one of many options, but no one device will be the primary hub. Rather, the personal cloud will take on that role,” remarked Steve Kleynhans, research vice president at Gartner.
“Access to the cloud and the content stored or shared in the cloud will be managed and secured, rather than solely focusing on the device itself,” he said.
Last week, Gartner predicted that personal cloud services will be integrated into 90% of all connected consumer devices by the end of next year.
