Happy New Year and welcome to 2018!
In 2017 we saw the release of the Apple iPhone 8, followed by the almost bezel-less iPhone X, which uses facial recognition Vs fingerprint recognition. We saw a number of start-up technology companies fail including Jawbone the fitness tracker firm, which was predicted to take on Apple and Fitbit in the race of the wearables market. Want to read more about those that didn't cut the mustard? Check out this BBC news story http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-41148663
Over the past decade, we have seen technology enhance our lives, allow us to work remotely and collaborate smarter and easier than ever before. If you think pre-2007 you couldn't order an Uber using your Smartphone, listen to Music on Spotify or send a message using WhatsApp. Today these technological developments are tools we use every day, others include;
Airbnb
The Apple iPad
Google Chrome Browser
SnapChat
Oculus VR Headset
Instagram
Android
4G Mobile Data
Slack
Alexa or Google Home AI (Artificial Intelligence)
But the tech world isn't slowing down in 2018 or for the foreseeable future either. The big question many of us are asking or at least thinking, where will technology take us in the next 10 years. Will we be taking a ride via an Uber in a flying car? It is pretty certain the ride will be a driverless ride, as pilot schemes are already in operation for driverless vehicles and the race to make driverless cars a part of our everyday life is well underway. Maybe AI (Artificial Intelligence) will become our new digital servants and allow us to obtain more free time from our ever increasing busy daily routines.
But what will be on our shopping lists in 2018? I am sure we will see further developments from Apple, Google and Amazon in the AI sector. We will no doubt see slimmer, faster and more advanced mobile devices, plus software apps to run on these new devices too. IoT (Internet of Things) and Home automation solutions are certainly being deployed at a faster rate than ever before, this is no doubt due to the integration with Amazon Alexa, Google Home or Apples Siri voice services. Home automation is allowing us to control our lights, heating, security, entertainment centres and even our kitchen appliances but I am confident we will only see more opportunities to integrate our lives into a digital interface further if we wish to allow it. For some this digital integration will be scary, a breach of security and an invasion of our personal lives. But for others, it will change the way we work, play and socialise within society for the better.
Overall 2017 left me with more questions than answers, so I can't wait to see what is in store for 2018 and beyond!
Author - David James Bell @davidjbell