VietNamNet Bridge – Which IT gadgets do Vietnam consumers wish to purchase or receive as a gift this holiday season?

The responses from a recent online survey conducted by Microsoft in Vietnam revealed that two in five consumers in Vietnam desire a tablet for work and play, with smartphones next on the list as 30 per cent indicates that their next buy would be a new mobile device. Notebooks and Ultrabooks were also top of mind among 21 per cent of respondents polled.

The results signify that respondents are still looking for a full-fledged computing device for their lives, albeit in a more mobile form factor today. This survey was conducted in November 2013 with over 1,300 respondents across Asia Pacific to understand their year-end IT purchase habits and digital lifestyles.

All we want is more devices in our lives

Tablet ownership in Asia Pacific is expected to grow significantly in 2014, with Canalys predicting that tablets will form close to 50 per cent of the total PC market (desktop, notebooks and tablets) globally, with close to 285 million units expected to be shipped in the region. However, majority of respondents did not favor a tablet just for content consumption or gaming purposes, signifying a demand for a flexible and modern operating system that can bring digital natives from work to play scenarios.

“Consumers in Vietnam and in Asia Pacific are increasingly asking for a tablet that can do more than just reading, surfing and playing games,” said Jeremy Showalter, marketing director, Microsoft Vietnam. “With Windows 8.1, users can be fully productive yet do the fun things that they enjoy on tablets. Whether it’s an all-in-one desktop PC, a hybrid tablet, or a smartphone, there is a plethora of Windows devices for both work and play.”

It is increasingly common today for individuals in Vietnam to own multiple devices, where the survey shows that more than 54 per cent of respondents own at least a desktop PC, notebook and a smartphone. In this world where multiple devices tangled with each other, individuals are increasingly asking for a simplified and unified user experience on their devices. In the survey, 67 per cent of respondents polled also indicated a preference for a similar user experience across all devices they owned.

Windows 8.1 is a one stop platform with an integrated experience across devices through just a single login. User settings follow across all devices, which helps users to manage their work files, apps & social connections in an effortless and quick way on all their devices. With SkyDrive, users can instantly save and share their files, photos and videos while on-the-go whether it is on their Windows devices or on Windows Phones.

Apps at the centre of digital lifestyles today

Consumers in Vietnam have a strong preference for music and mail apps on their devices, with close to 22 per cent of the respondents noting that they wake up to a music app, and 17 per cent waking up to emails first thing in the morning.

These two genres of apps were also top apps that consumers would use during their daily commute. Additionally, respondents were likely to pay for gaming, books and magazines and utilities apps for their mobile devices.

“The average Vietnamese consumer is also seen to be very connected with emails, and the Mail app on Windows 8.1 brings about a connected inbox experience across accounts, with nifty features that bring the most important information that matters to the consumers to the top of the inboxes,” added said Hai Nguyen, IT specialist.

“Additionally, built-in apps such as the People Hub, Skype and other social and music apps on Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone are designed to help users keep their fingers on the pulse of their social and work lives with just a single tap, while the Stores on both platforms provide a gateway into a world of thousands upon thousands of high quality apps.”

The Windows Store today feature more than 100,000 apps, while the Windows Phone Store has now over 175,000 apps – which features great quality social, gaming, music and utilities apps for the connected generation. Recent marquee additions include Facebook and Flipboard for Windows, and Instagram, Vine and Waze for Windows Phone – all of which social apps that keep users connected on the latest happenings. In Vietnam, locally developed apps including PokemonDragon, Pencil Blade and Zing MP3, are some of the most popular apps in the Stores, providing consumers more options to keep them connected and entertained on their Windows devices.

New and broadest range of devices for the New Year

Microsoft partners are gearing up for 2014 with new product releases for Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone. These highlight devices include:

Tablets:

ASUS Transformer T100: The tablet comes equipped with a detachable docking keyboard which allows you to stay productive while on-the-go.

Hybrids:

Acer Aspire P3: A convertible ultrabook for the mobile worker, the Acer Aspire P3 brings about true mobility with its flexible form factor and the power of Windows 8.1, which allows for true multi-tasking wherever you are. Open the cover and convert it into an ultrabook, or simply remove the touchscreen for a full-fledged tablet experience.

Sony VAIO Tap 11: The VAIO Tap is Sony’s first Windows tablet – the thin and light design makes it easy for users to bring it from the boardroom to the living room.

Wireless connect the device to TVs, desktop computers or other devices and use it as a control hub to share photos, videos and more with apps.

Smartphones:

Nokia Lumia 1520: The first phablet from Nokia with the new Windows Phone 8 GDR3 update, the Lumia 1520 features a stunning HD display that makes for excellent readability outdoors. With Nokia-exclusive apps such as Nokia Storyteller, image editing tools and Office for Windows Phone, the device is a pure pleasure to for the always-connected individuals.

Nokia Lumia 1320: A 6-inch, 720p HD Windows Phone, the Lumia 1320 comes in bright and colorful design which will make you stand out from the crowd.

Source: VIR