Major technology changes are usually or mostly refinements of the pre-existing technologies.These days, innovation tends to happen on a nano-scale, which means most people cannot see or experience that evolution.Below are the 12 hot trends to check on the year 2014.
1. The car becomes a node in the Internet of things.
All the major automakers will be at CES this year showing off their connected car projects. While some have been at the show before, this is the first year I see them really trying to make a strong statement about smarter cars and their connection to the Internet either directly via an embedded 4G radio or through a smartphone. This is actually a big deal and a highly competitive advantage for those that get it right. The more upscale cars will probably be the smartest, with smartphones figuring in to how they'll deliver a lot of top-notch services. However, Ford, Chevy, and other mid-range cars will also be adding Internet-connected intelligence.
All the major automakers will be at CES this year showing off their connected car projects. While some have been at the show before, this is the first year I see them really trying to make a strong statement about smarter cars and their connection to the Internet either directly via an embedded 4G radio or through a smartphone. This is actually a big deal and a highly competitive advantage for those that get it right. The more upscale cars will probably be the smartest, with smartphones figuring in to how they'll deliver a lot of top-notch services. However, Ford, Chevy, and other mid-range cars will also be adding Internet-connected intelligence.
2. 4K TVs and monitors will be cheaper.
At Dell World last week, Michael Dell said the company would have 4K monitors on the market sometime in 2014 for around $1,000. Its cheapest model now is $3,495. At least one television manufacturer is said to be launching a 4K TV at around $1,000 at the show, and I expect to see others that will probably be priced around $2,500. That's well below at the range of $3,500 to $12,000 that they go for today. I realize that there is very little programmed content available to take advantage of 4K, but I expect personal content will get quite a boost as I hear digital camera vendors will show 4K products at the show at much lower prices than we have today. Meanwhile, many studios are moving to the 4K format, so we could finally see some trajectory of these Super HD products starting in 2014.
At Dell World last week, Michael Dell said the company would have 4K monitors on the market sometime in 2014 for around $1,000. Its cheapest model now is $3,495. At least one television manufacturer is said to be launching a 4K TV at around $1,000 at the show, and I expect to see others that will probably be priced around $2,500. That's well below at the range of $3,500 to $12,000 that they go for today. I realize that there is very little programmed content available to take advantage of 4K, but I expect personal content will get quite a boost as I hear digital camera vendors will show 4K products at the show at much lower prices than we have today. Meanwhile, many studios are moving to the 4K format, so we could finally see some trajectory of these Super HD products starting in 2014.
3. Digital health moves to the forefront.
This part of the market is really poised to take off. There are already dozens of health-related products like Nike's FuelBand, Jawbone's UP, Fitbit, and Misfit's Shine that can be used as part of a personal health-monitoring system. iHealth has a digitally connected glucose testing kit and its digital blood pressure cuff uses the iPhone for controlling the cuff and delivering the data to a user.
This part of the market is really poised to take off. There are already dozens of health-related products like Nike's FuelBand, Jawbone's UP, Fitbit, and Misfit's Shine that can be used as part of a personal health-monitoring system. iHealth has a digitally connected glucose testing kit and its digital blood pressure cuff uses the iPhone for controlling the cuff and delivering the data to a user.
4. 2-in-1s take off.
Intel has new ads out pushing 2-in-1s. Their theme is a tablet when you need it and a laptop when you want it. Some folks think these 2-in-1s represent the future of laptops and I tend to think this might be the case.
Intel has new ads out pushing 2-in-1s. Their theme is a tablet when you need it and a laptop when you want it. Some folks think these 2-in-1s represent the future of laptops and I tend to think this might be the case.
In a sense, CES will be the big coming-out party for 2-in-1s since we should see about 50 new models launch at the show. Intel, Microsoft, and pretty much all of the vendors will be showing new models in this category and although I don't think we will see huge volume in 2014, this campaign from these folks is a multiyear one since they are very bullish on this concept. Worth checking out if you are at CES or watching from the sidelines.
5. Curved televisions pull people in.
LG's 105-inch curved TV that will be introduced at CES is stunning. Samsung will also show off its version of a curved TV. This will be a big issue at the show as the TV makers strive to try differentiate themselves in a very crowded market. Although curved TVs are more about innovation, they could represent a new angle on the future of televisions themselves.
LG's 105-inch curved TV that will be introduced at CES is stunning. Samsung will also show off its version of a curved TV. This will be a big issue at the show as the TV makers strive to try differentiate themselves in a very crowded market. Although curved TVs are more about innovation, they could represent a new angle on the future of televisions themselves.
6. 3D printers revolutionize manufacturing.
While 3D has not caught on in TVs there is real interest in 3D when it comes to printers. We will see 3D printers as low as $499 at CES and many in the $999 to $1,299 range for what you might call a prosumer interested in 3D printing. Although these will really still be used for consumer experimentation, I see them as important to drive the learning curve within the prosumer and professional markets. I kind of liken the intro of low-cost 3D printers to the early days of desktop publishing (DTP) when it came on the scene in 1985. In the way DTP revolutionized the publishing world, 3D printing could become an important tool for visualization and light manufacturing.
While 3D has not caught on in TVs there is real interest in 3D when it comes to printers. We will see 3D printers as low as $499 at CES and many in the $999 to $1,299 range for what you might call a prosumer interested in 3D printing. Although these will really still be used for consumer experimentation, I see them as important to drive the learning curve within the prosumer and professional markets. I kind of liken the intro of low-cost 3D printers to the early days of desktop publishing (DTP) when it came on the scene in 1985. In the way DTP revolutionized the publishing world, 3D printing could become an important tool for visualization and light manufacturing.
7. Smart home and smart light bulbs come home.
We have been talking about smart homes for almost two decades now but only recently have we seen this area really become interesting. Products like Nest's thermostat andsmoke alarm and the many new smart light bulbs and other home devices with Internet connections are finally giving us a glimpse of what a smart connected home can be. This will also be a big theme at this year's show and another thing that will be interesting to follow.
We have been talking about smart homes for almost two decades now but only recently have we seen this area really become interesting. Products like Nest's thermostat andsmoke alarm and the many new smart light bulbs and other home devices with Internet connections are finally giving us a glimpse of what a smart connected home can be. This will also be a big theme at this year's show and another thing that will be interesting to follow.
8. Wearables continue trending.
While Google Glass had the big buzz in 2013, the concept of wearables is still in its early stages. The most successful wearables so far are ones used to monitor health, walking, pulse, and more. This year we saw some smartwatches hit the scene but they have years before someone brings the right form, function, fashion design, and technology into a smartwatch that really gets traction from mainstream consumers. CES has a dedicated education track on wearables this year as well as a small section focused on wearables. 2014 won't be a big year for wearables, but we will see some new and innovative products in this space and the products we see at CES could give us more insight on what wearables will mean to the tech market and their direction.
While Google Glass had the big buzz in 2013, the concept of wearables is still in its early stages. The most successful wearables so far are ones used to monitor health, walking, pulse, and more. This year we saw some smartwatches hit the scene but they have years before someone brings the right form, function, fashion design, and technology into a smartwatch that really gets traction from mainstream consumers. CES has a dedicated education track on wearables this year as well as a small section focused on wearables. 2014 won't be a big year for wearables, but we will see some new and innovative products in this space and the products we see at CES could give us more insight on what wearables will mean to the tech market and their direction.
I am sure there will be a lot of other products that get attention, such as new consumer-related robots, Android running on Windows PCs, new digital cameras, and smarter digital video recorders. However, as I have surveyed the pre-show material and looked into my own research on CES trends, the areas I shared above I believe will represent most of the news coming out of CES 2014.
9. Internet of things
At the 2013 IFA consumer electronics show in Berlin, technology company Philips demonstrated a concept called the HomeCooker Next that could time cooking, change temperature and stir food -- using a smartphone. The Nest thermostat not only can control your home’s temperature remotely, it also learns your behavior and makes adjustments accordingly.
The networking of our physical world will continue to boom in 2014. Connected devices are no longer just limited to smartphones and computers. Everything from door locks and home appliances to bikes and watches can now be networked.
10. Robots on the rise
Will the machines become self-aware in 2014? We certainly hope not, but advancing technology in robotics and artificial intelligence are definitely on the rise.
Google acquired a portfolio of incredible robots with its purchase of Boston Dynamics in 2013, including the Cheetah, Petman and Atlas, making spectators wonder what the tech giant has planned for the machines.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is challenging robot-makers to address the need for rescue workers in dangerous emergency response situations. The DARPA robotics challenge is underway and will have finals happening at the end of 2014. Winners will receive a $2 million prize.
11. Machines in the sky
Keep an eye on the sky in 2014 because unmanned aerial vehicles – or drones – are about to become a big part of the airspace.
Amazon made a big splash when CEO Jeff Bezos on “60 Minutes” revealed plans for a drone that would deliver packages in 30 minutes. But a handful of other drones garnered attention in 2013, including drones that could deliver beer at a festival and pizza to a home in the United Kingdom.
In 2013, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released its first annual roadmap to address concerns that are arising with the increased use of drones in American airspace, paving the way for clear regulations of the flying devices. The FAA recently announced the locations of six drone test sites in the United States, setting the stage for what could be the next booming industry.
At the 2013 IFA consumer electronics show in Berlin, technology company Philips demonstrated a concept called the HomeCooker Next that could time cooking, change temperature and stir food -- using a smartphone. The Nest thermostat not only can control your home’s temperature remotely, it also learns your behavior and makes adjustments accordingly.
The networking of our physical world will continue to boom in 2014. Connected devices are no longer just limited to smartphones and computers. Everything from door locks and home appliances to bikes and watches can now be networked.
10. Robots on the rise
Will the machines become self-aware in 2014? We certainly hope not, but advancing technology in robotics and artificial intelligence are definitely on the rise.
Google acquired a portfolio of incredible robots with its purchase of Boston Dynamics in 2013, including the Cheetah, Petman and Atlas, making spectators wonder what the tech giant has planned for the machines.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is challenging robot-makers to address the need for rescue workers in dangerous emergency response situations. The DARPA robotics challenge is underway and will have finals happening at the end of 2014. Winners will receive a $2 million prize.
11. Machines in the sky
Keep an eye on the sky in 2014 because unmanned aerial vehicles – or drones – are about to become a big part of the airspace.
Amazon made a big splash when CEO Jeff Bezos on “60 Minutes” revealed plans for a drone that would deliver packages in 30 minutes. But a handful of other drones garnered attention in 2013, including drones that could deliver beer at a festival and pizza to a home in the United Kingdom.
In 2013, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released its first annual roadmap to address concerns that are arising with the increased use of drones in American airspace, paving the way for clear regulations of the flying devices. The FAA recently announced the locations of six drone test sites in the United States, setting the stage for what could be the next booming industry.
12. Cloud wars
You'll hear a stronger desktop PC death rattle
in 2014, as consumers finally embrace cloud storage. Consequently,
they'll soon need a lot more than the 5-20 GB standard with most mobile
services. Amazon, Apple, Microsoft and Google will get serious about marketing and advertising consumer cloud storage, access and work options. They'll also compete more directly, which may result in a price-per-gigabyte war.
Microsoft kicked the competition off in 2013 with 200 GB of free cloud storage — with a Surface 2 tablet purchase.
However, most consumers in 2013 still didn't understand how cloud-based storage works. The disparity of tools, interfaces and storage options is "clouding" what should be a clear picture: The days of storing locally are nearing an end.
Written by thecodewhiz
Thecodewhiz is a tech savvy internet enthusiast,Designer,ICT Support Specialist, amatuer Dj and Photographer who loves sharing information.Find Technology tips and tricks and more here...
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