by Jonathan Kevin Castillo
The new year is just beginning and we’re already hearing a lot of fantastic stuff headed our way. We’ve picked out some of the hottest tech trends that may hit big, from appliances to apps, and other gadgets. One thing is sure, 2014 will be loud and large.
Bigger Tablets
Tablets will get real by getting bigger. Last year, we’ve seen tablets that are larger than 10-inches, but only a few, and didn’t seem to hit it big. What really took off were the 7-inch devices, and they’ve done quite well. But the companies aren’t giving up on the idea of bigger tabs and it’s expected we’re getting at least a 12-inch Android device, and that could only just be the beginning of something new.
The Rise of 4K
We’ve seen what 4K TVs are capable of. They are jaw-dropping, and their prices are jaw-breaking. It seems, they are more practical and easier to get into, rather than 3D TVs – 3D TVs require special 3D glasses, and if there are 3D screen technologies that don’t need glasses, like the 3DS, many of us can agree that they are dizzying in prolong use. The clarity of 4K TVs will burn right through your eye sockets, and this could mean a lot of things when it comes into full swing.
Wider Spread of the Internet
Almost everything is getting Internet access. Wi-Fi washing machines, air conditioners, refrigerators, aren’t new, but we can expect more of them to come out. Right now, kickstart projects are being funded to develop more Internet things. Alarm systems, locks, health devices, and car manufacturers like Audi are implementing smart technologies into these utilities.
More Wearables
Wearable technology isn’t new. In the past few years, there had been many attempts to combine tech and fashion. But many of it never really worked out, and if you look at them now, yes, they’re pretty crazy. The Google Glass has been making some noise, both good and bad. And while it’s said that his little fella will hit consumer markets soon, we can imagine that other companies are coming up with their own headgear gadget. Smart watches is another example of wearables, and hasn’t really caught on, and Nike Fuelband may have stolen a few glances. We’re more than certain there are a ton of companies out there, coming up with some gadget that could be worn, and we’re pretty psyched about the idea.
Biometrics in Smart devices
Face recognition is ancient history – and with Apple’s sizzling hot stunt with the Touch ID, we can hope to see more devices that actually implements fingerprint scanners. And not just fingerprints, people are hoping for eyes scanners, too. Such technologies can be carried out in wearable devices and help tighten security.
3D Printing
3D Printing is hot on its tracks and a lot of people are looking at it with a for all its potentials, including producing miniscule models or prototypes to cut time required to produce them by hand. Companies like Coca-Cola and Nike are using 3D printing technology, and the former even has an ad featuring it in Israel. But the main problem is that, 3D printers are still expensive. This year sees companies finding ways to put 3D printing in the mainstream market.
Gaming
Out in the wild, PS4 and Xbox One have become the bridges for players and indie games. The genre is getting a lot of attention, because they are cheaper or free, and they actually offer something innovative. It also lets developers come up with games they actually want to make, without the executives meddling on the projects. And so far, many indies have proved a hit.
Apps
Newer, more powerful, and useful apps are making a breakthrough as our smart devices become more powerful. Apps such as Waze is a big hit right now, being called as the ultimate navigation app. And since fitness is a big thing for many users, we can expect more health apps that can better monitor heart rate, and other home devices.
Smartphones
It’s no doubt that smartphones will continue their reign of supremacy in the consumers’ technology world. Smartphones are acting as the command centers of our lives. They can be integrated into Wi-Fi appliances, wearables, TVs, tablets, gaming consoles, and more. Almost everyone digs smartphones, excited to upgrade immediately when the next big thing hits the market, mainly because they’re the coolest kid on the block, then the life application. This year, we can expect a toughened up competition. What the new smartphones of 2014 have in store for us, we’re not really sure ourselves, but we can guarantee you that it’s going to be a blast.