TECH EDGE What’s the future of smartphones? Think personal assistant Ansuya Harjani | @Ansuya_H 2 Hours Ago CNBC.com 1 COMMENTJoin the Discussion Kristian Helgesen | Bloomberg | Getty Images An employee demonstrates smartphones manufactured by Samsung Electronics Co. at the Stroemmen shopping mall in Norway. From the bulky "brick phones" that weighed 2 pounds and cost around $4000 to the sleek, feather-light and affordable smartphones of today – mobile handsets have undergone an impressive evolution over the past four decades. Which begs the question – what further transformations can we expect for mobile devices in the coming months and years? (Read more: Can these smartphone firms take on the big guys?) Think along the lines of a virtual personal assistant, says David Ginsberg, vice president for market research at Intel. "When thinking about a smartphone over the next 5-10 years, it's less about the form factor, and more about how the computing power of the device," Ginsberg told CNBC. Muriel de Seze "Mobile devices will have the ability to understand who and where their user is and what they are trying to get done: identity, location and context," he added. With this, devices will be able to anticipate and deliver information before users realize they even need it. Take, for instance, you had been searching for a particular pair of shoes on your mobile device. When you are out, your phone may alert you of a store near-by with the exact pair on sale. Or, perhaps, you are organizing a dinner with friends. The mobile device could help suggest a restaurant at a convenient location for you and your friends. (Read more: Mozilla says new chip paves way for $25 smartphone) "The reality is – over this time horizon – there's great potential that the compute power in your phone will far exceed what's in many larger devices today," Ginsberg said. Flexible screens? The appearance of smartphones is unlikely to change dramatically from their current shape and form, say experts, although "flexible displays" could be the buzz in the industry in the coming years. "Following phablets, I think flexible screens will be the next craze in the smartphone market. With a flexible screen, you'll be able to have larger or smaller screen sizes based on a particular need," said Kiranjeet Kaur, senior market analyst at IDC. PLAY VIDEO HTC wins smartphone of the year Jason MacKenzie, HTC Americas president, weighs in on the HTC One leaks, and says the HTC One was voted the smartphone of the year for 2013. Smartphone makers are in a race to create flexible-screen devices that can be bent, rolled up or folded up to fit inside a pocket. Last year, Samsung Electronics and LG launched smartphones featuring curved screens, bringing them a step closer to achieving devices with flexible screens. Some, however, are skeptical about whether such devices will truly take off. "It's incredible challenging to create a flexible display that's designed to be folded on a daily basis. Such devices have a high level of wear and tear. I'm very cautious. There have been so many mobile products over the years that look great and demo well, but following the launch there are many customer returns, said Ian Fogg, senior principal analyst, Electronics and Media for IHS. (Read more: India, not China, holds key to smartphone growth) Biometric buzz Over the coming years, consumers can count on a continued improvement in battery life – with more convenient ways of charging their devices including wireless chargers – as well as better camera quality, say experts. "Camera quality is one feature where there is plenty of headroom for improvement. The camera's low light performance and zoom could improve greatly from what smartphones are currently delivering," said Fogg. In addition to this, the smartphone's user interface will continue to improve with more sophisticated voice and gesture features, and biometric controls will become much more commonplace than it is today, say experts. Apple, for example, set the ball rolling with biometric authentication, by including the fingerprint recognition feature, Touch ID, in its iPhone 5S last year. PLAY VIDEO How will Apple and the smartphone industry fare in 2014? CNBC's Julia Wood discusses a new report from Barclays, which indicated a lack of innovation to weigh on Apple for 2014. It also slashed its forecasts for smartphone sales growth in 2014. End of role as primary interface? With the rise of wearable devices – from smartwatches to smartglasses – there's a debate going on about whether the smartphone will continue to be the primary interface for most people. Independent technology consultant Tom Cheesewright says the smartphone will spend an increasing amount of time inside the pocket, acting as a central hub for wearable devices. "I think we're already seeing the first signs - if you can see who's calling or answer it from your wrist via [a smartwatch] then why pull your phone out?" Today, mobile phone users unlock their phone an average of 110 times a day, according to data from the app company Locket. While analysts say the current range of wearable technology may not be sophisticated enough for the mass market, there is little doubt the industry will take off over the coming years. The sector is projected to grow to over $42 billion in the next three to five years from $3 billion- $5 billion in 2013, according to Credit Suisse. (Read more: Phones for outsmarting snoopers get pitched to mass market) "We will also start seeing smartwatches and smart glasses potentially displacing smartphones. There are already standalone smartwatches with the same capabilities as mobile phones. Smart glasses will be a little bit further down the line," said Josh Flood, senior analyst, Mobile Devices, Applications & Content at ABI Research. Fogg of IHS shared a similar view, adding, "Smartglasses have the potential to be quite a disruptive market if they gain consumer acceptance and culture issues are overcome." Kiranjeet Kaur, of IDC, on the other hand, is less convinced the smartphone will get displaced by wearable devices. She said, "Wearable products have their limitations. With watches, there is only so much you can view. If you want to read an email, you still need a bigger screen. Google glasses are a nice concept, but how much can you really use them on the go?" "At the end of the day, smartphones can still be a private a device," she added. —By CNBC's Ansuya Harjani. Follow her on Twitter @Ansuya_H Ansuya Harjani Writer, CNBC Asia RELATED TOPICS Tech Edge MORE FROM CNBC Recommended by 3-D printing market to grow 500% in 5 years A pullback is almost definitely coming this week Will Goldman be right on China this year? 'Candy Crush' maker King Digital goes on hiring spree: WSJ US secretly built 'Cuban Twitter' to stir unrest The best problem-solvers in the world are… SPONSORED Recommended by Lock In One Of These 2014 Credit Card Offers (NextAdvisor Daily) What’s Possible with All-Flash Array Storage? (EMC Pulse) Read This Before Choosing a Cash Back Card (Credit Karma) Sponsored Cheapest Cell Phone Provider Best Airline Credit Card Villas in Italy Walk in Shower Tub New Fiat 500 Walk in Tubs for Elderly Home Security System Best Cell Phone Plans New Chevrolet Tahoe Buy Rolex Watches NEWS YOU MAY LIKE Recommended by Old habits at Samsung, LG embarrass them abroad Cramer: Hated stocks getting some love again? 7 things learned from Michael Lewis 'Flash Boys' furor Stocks end higher for 4th-straight day; S&P closes at new high The other wealth gap—the 1% vs the 0.01% Yes, you can deduct that (regardless of your income) Investment strategies you'd be foolish to ignore: Pros After-hours buzz: Bank of America, Micron, Global Payments & more Adultery site big in Japan where marriage reigns Sotheby's? The best indicator you've never heard of SPONSORED Recommended by 3 Big Reasons You Need a Mobile App for Your Small… (ShoutEm) Apple Orders Components for iPhone 6 (SmartPhone-Buyer.com) The Weird Thing Most People Overlook on Their Phone… (NextAdvisor Daily) How to turn an old phone or tablet into a PC… (PCWorld) FEATURED What’s the future of smartphones? Since the days of bulky "brick phones" that weighed 2 pounds, mobile handsets have undergone an impressive evolution over the past four decades. Solar ATMs changing Indian banking A frugal mindset and disruptive technology are shaking up the banking scene in India, giving 300 million dwellers a chance to get a bank account. How bitcoin really changed the world While conversation around bitcoin has varied from price volatility to its legitimacy, many overlooked its key innovation. 3-D printing to grow 500% in 5 years They may have been branded the "most hideous" stocks recently, but 3-D printing will continue to produce stellar growth over the coming years, according to research. MORE FROM TECH EDGE The future of advertising: Here’s what to expect Why chat apps are the next 'breed' of social networks Technology the backbone of world’s best airport For skyscrapers, size isn't only thing that matters Opening day! 3 reasons tech can lure younger fans LATEST SPECIAL REPORTS Advice and the Advisor A how-to guide for financial advice for consumers and professionals. Life Changes From the birth of a child to college, marriage, and retirement, a successful investment path leads to the good life. Tech Edge How leading-edge technology powers business. TOP NEWS & ANALYSIS Hopes high for March jobs data, but maybe too high Yes, you can deduct that (regardless of your income) There's no paternity in baseball! Future of smartphones? Think personal assistant Bitcoin to $1 million? Why it could happen MOST POPULAR STORIES Is it time to close the book on Barnes & Noble? After-hours buzz: BofA, Micron, Global Payments & more Bill Gross' cat dies; his fund isn't well, either Stocks end lower ahead of jobs report; Dow, S&P retreat from highs Rent a home or buy? Depends where you live MOST POPULAR VIDEO Optimistic 'March' to jobs report Make your teen watch this now! Making dirty money clean Cashin says: Keying on jobs ... and the weather Why Cramer is confident about rally MOST SHARED Rent a home or buy? Depends where you live Broker to let customers avoid high-frequency traders Here's Jim Chanos' 'ultimate' bubble indicator Out of work, out of benefits and out of options The billionaire who wants to harvest the moon