ABI Research (and so do we) anticipates that the sensor-driven user interface will be an emergent theme in the “next wave of mobile UI innovation-turning objects, locations, and people into networked, interactive elements.” It’s really hard to argue against that forecast considering that by 2013, 85% of smartphones will ship with GPS, over 50% will ship with accelerometers, and almost 50% will have gyroscopes.
Among the factors that will drive the growth of sensors in smartphones, ABI identified gaming, location awareness, augmented reality and the expansion of motion-based commands.
The research company also added that sensors will also help OEMs innovate beyond a touchscreen UI for differentiation in the marketplace. We’ve seen those demo videos of TAT’s awesome technology in action. I can definitely see handset makers emphasizing such features in their products, just like they’ve already started underlining augmented reality capabilities…
Additional information is available in ABI Research study titled “Mobile Device User Interfaces.”