iPad chosen as ‘love’ product

More than 50% of respondents chose the iPad as the one electronic product they love and could not do without.

This was one of the findings in a poll conducted by element14 in which over 4500 responses were captured by Facebook, Twitter and Google fans.

Called the ‘We Love Innovation’ poll, it revealed the biggest technologies that have the potential to revolutionise electronics.

The iPad, although top of the list, was followed by the Amazon Kindle, the iPhone and the PlayStation. These were further complemented by sensing, which was voted the biggest technology with the potential to revolutionise electronics in the future. This was closely followed by LED lighting, robotics and medical electronics.

Sensing has increasingly become critical in terms of enhancing the ways in which humans interface with technology. Sensing technology facilitates intuitive human interactions with devices such as smartphones, and without it, we would be restricted to more mechanical methods of interface, which wouldn’t allow for things like miniaturisation, which is critical going forward.

The technology is also significant in terms of industrial applications, including areas like factory automation, the international space program and alternative energy, and will be one of the driving technologies in medicine as we move towards non-invasive diagnosis and treatment.

The 2012 Olympics also turned out to be an interesting theme where the majority of respondents chose embedded as the technology that will be a highlight this year, followed by sensing, green IT and mobile and wireless.

This was particularly interesting given the latest announcements around wireless spectrum demands during the games in London this year. Embedded technology in the games can be combined with sensing and used in various areas like monitoring athletic performance or prosthetics for paralympians.

element14’s Google+ page continues to invite users to share their stories of innovation in the industry at: http://bit.ly/wUh3EQ.