Cutting-Edge Foldable Phones Set To Benefit Streaming Companies

 

                                     Image credit: howtogeek.com

"Strategy Analytics forecasts global sales of 1.2 million foldable phones this year, which will rise to 64.9 million phones in 2023" [1]

This year's most exciting smartphone trends, have no doubt, been 5G and foldable smartphones. This cutting-edge foldable design is leading to a new look and experience not just on phones, but on tablets, notebooks, laptops, tablets and TV sets. And as flexible displays become the new 'must have,' the millions of consumers around the world who adore platforms that offer entertainment on the go & at home, such as OONA's unique 3-in-1 FREE Unlimited Entertainment Bundle of Live VOD/TV, Video Games & Music Channels, are having the best ever experience.

                                     Image credit: Business Insider

A Foldable Future

"The flexible display aims to create a state where phones can become tablets and tablets can become phones" [1]

This year's Mobile World Congress (MWC), and Consumer Electronics Show (CES), showcased the flexible first-generation smartphones which transform into to the size of a tablet, or magically fold down into the size of an ultra cool smartwatch [1]. And while it has to be said that both foldable phones and 5G: "have their share of challenges to solve before they hit the mainstream, the promise of the combination of the two is massive for one industry in particular: streaming companies" [2], such as OONA OTT TV, Netflix, Hulu, and others.

Taking an up close look at what's on the market: the Galaxy Fold smartphone boasts a flexible display which folds onto itself from zero to 180 degrees. When extended, it transforms into a 7.3 inch display tablet; and when folded, it offers a 4.6 inch slim display. And then there's Huawei's 5G Mate X foldable smartphone, which opens up from a 6.6 inch folded screen into an 8 inch tablet [1].

"Consumers are interested in large screen sizes but still want portable phones" [1]

TCL Communications' South African country manager, and global account director of MEA, Ernst Wittmann, notes that: "As the designers perfect the foldable phone, we will start seeing more innovative ideas around this concept. We will start seeing changes in the traditional block-style mobile phones, tablets and notebooks, where the device size will be halved when in its folded state, but double in size when in the open state. As the foldable designs mature, we will see wearable products also evolving into this new and exciting form factor" [1]. And while this exciting innovation comes with a hefty price tag, and will remain a specialist device for a while to come (just 3.5% of worldwide foldable smartphone sales are predicted for 2023) [1], in time, this will change, and most people will be able to afford it.

                                     Image credit: itweb.co.za

Stream On

"Larger devices and lower latency make the perfect pair for streaming" [2]

Moving beyond 4G, 5G is revolutionary, in that it delivers monumental speed (capacity), and makes everything more responsive (low latency). Further, it will bump up the number of simultaneously connected devices, which is a massive plus for mobile operators, as well as for those connecting smart devices, IoT, or sensors. Naturally, the next 10 or so years, will result in a heavy investment for the mobile ecosystem, and 5G is likely to have a huge effect on the types of mobile apps we will use in the future [2].

                                       Image credit: The Verge

Prime Screen Real Estate

"5G promises to enhance the interactive experiences surrounding video streams, and foldable phones deliver the screen real estate" [2]

Consumers can now enjoy double screen real estate with foldable phones. In fact: "increased network capabilities and a ton of new real estate available on the screen; streaming apps - whether for live events, gaming, or communication, or all three, [like OONA's 3-in-1 FREE Unlimited Entertainment Bundle, which also includes TV], can now deliver immersive streaming experiences and add new ways to engage and retain viewers" [2]. This scenario is excellent for generating larger audiences, more consumer retention and engagement; and as a consequence, new and more important revenue streams [2].

                                      Image credit: The Strategic CFO

Soaring Revenue

Surf's up, and an escalating user base, interactive advertising, and sponsored content, not only raise the cost of sponsorship, they also boost ad-space value. OONA TV and other OTT streaming platforms are not reliant on conventional commercials: they are empowered to utilise all the different points of engagement for their advertising and sponsorship [2].

Advertising With OONA

Folding Up

In summary, the combination of foldable smartphones and 5G is set to empower over the top live streaming platforms such as OONA, and as a result, they will provide engaging innovative experiences for their consumers, "and will in turn open up new streams of revenue on their platforms" [2].

More About OONA

OONA offers consumers an unrivalled 3-in-1 FREE Unlimited Entertainment Bundle: Live VOD/TV, Video Games & Music Channels; the chance to earn daily virtual currency tcoin rewards for interacting, gaming, streaming music & watching what they love; & fun tools & stickers for sharing & editing their favourite shows, music and games.

OONA's free ad-supported, next generation virtual entertainment platform is a first of its kind. - It consolidates the most popular apps with live TV, SVOD, TVOD, music, games and YouTube channels in a singular platform operating on iOS and Android smartphones, Android TV and Smart TV applications. Using cutting-edge user engagement technology, OONA generates customized ads for viewers and rewards them with a virtual currency called tcoins® as part of a loyalty reward system which can be redeemed for popular branded goods and services.

To enhance the user experience, OONA offers multiple features including a genie-in-the-app known as OONAbot, to personalize the user journey as well as unique tools and stickers to use while interacting with friends & family, and sharing on social media platforms. As the vMVPD of the future, OONA is set to revolutionize the way we consume content with much more control, flexibility and monetary benefits for consumers and businesses. Currently, OONA has over 250 subscription-free channels including movies, TV programs, live sports, documentaries, and local and global breaking news, which is available in Indonesia and set to roll out in 2019 Q3 across Vietnam, the Philippines, US, and the Middle East.

References

[1]. Malinga, Sibahle (2019). "Foldable phones to lead flexible screen frontier." itweb.

https://www.itweb.co.za/content/G98YdqLxVJQqX2PD   Accessed 28 Aug. 2019.

[2]. Greene, Todd (2019). “How 5G and foldable phones will benefit streaming companies.”  https://www.techradar.com/news/how-5g-and-foldable-phones-will-benefit-streaming-companies   Accessed 28 Aug. 2019.