New technology changes the world
These days, new technologies appear in the market on an almost daily basis. From innovative smartphone apps to game-changing websites, new technology can help you save time and effort in your everyday life. For instance, voice-activated assistants can help you
manage your schedule on the go and powerful data visualization tools can give you insights into your business that you might not have been able to access before. By keeping up with what’s new in tech, you’ll be sure to keep your life—and your business—up-to-date and running smoothly.
5G Wireless
The Next Big Thing in Wireless Technology: Long gone are the days of waiting for your wireless network to load a webpage or open an app. New wireless networks deliver blazing fast internet speeds that can get you online, online and on with your life. The next generation of
mobile data connections could make our current network speeds seem like dial-up in comparison. With theoretical download speeds reaching up to 10 gigabits per second (or 10Gbps), 5G connections will be nearly as fast as wired broadband internet. Even more impressively, 5G connections may allow
multiple devices running on a single connection to stream high-quality video at 4K resolution—something that doesn’t work well over current WiFi and LTE networks. In fact, some experts believe that 5G will eventually replace wired internet altogether. But how long until we see these new ultra-fast wireless networks? And where exactly is 5G being developed? To answer these questions and more, we need to look back at what came before it...
Self-Driving Cars
There are plenty of developments on both sides of self-driving car debate, but it’s safe to say that autonomous vehicles will dramatically reshape our cities—and not in a good way. Auto fatalities were at an all-time low in 2014; about 35 people
die for every 100 million miles driven, according to Forbes. At that rate, humans are safer drivers than robots. But even with that lower risk rate, there are still 32,675 deaths from crashes in America each year and 2.35 million injuries. There is no doubt that self-driving cars will make these numbers go down in 2015 and beyond, as humans become less necessary behind the wheel...but what happens
when we don’t need anyone behind them? It might be hard to imagine, but if we do nothing then it could happen: Cities will grow more congested and public transportation systems will continue to deteriorate. It may sound like science fiction, but if you look at how ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft have changed transportation in major U.S. cities (not to mention China), you can start envisioning how automated driving could affect urban
centers across the globe. The biggest change would be increased private vehicle ownership: If you can summon a driverless car whenever you want one without paying extra or waiting around for someone else who might cancel your ride request, why wouldn’t you buy one?
Online Shopping
If you shop online, make sure to use secure websites, like those with https:// at the beginning of their URL. This protects you from Man-in-the-middle attacks, which involve a bad actor (or, more frequently, your ISP) snooping on your internet traffic and stealing your credit card information or Social Security number. It
also ensures that what you download really is what you ordered. Take special note of any business's return policy; some companies that sell tech gear offer free returns in case anything goes wrong with your purchase—but if they don't clearly advertise their policy ahead of time, they can be hard to track down when
something goes awry. Finally, always check for security certificates: These are small files that authenticate legitimate sites by encrypting data sent between them and users' computers. They're usually green or gray in color and look like little locked padlocks next to website addresses. If a site doesn't have one—or it looks fake—don't buy anything from it.
Smart Homes
The future of your home is smart. As our homes grow more intelligent, they will become adept at predicting our needs and wants by monitoring not only energy consumption but also other household activities such as occupant movement and even exterior weather
conditions. The connected devices in a smart home can learn about their environment and then adapt accordingly. A smart thermostat, for example, can recognize when you come into a room and adjust temperature settings automatically to your comfort level. Better yet, these homes are customizable so that you can decide how much automation is right for you.
And with communication built into every element of your home's design, it will be easier than ever to stay in touch—and feel connected—from wherever you are. With all that connectivity comes data: lots of it! But don't worry; it's safe. In fact, smart homes are designed with security in mind from top to bottom. Home networks keep information safe using encryption technologies and firewalls while software updates regularly scan for vulnerabilities and patch them up before
hackers have a chance to exploit them. Your information is secure inside your home network, too; many manufacturers offer optional biometric locks that read fingerprints or facial features rather than keys or codes. That way, no one can get inside without permission—not even law enforcement officers who may need access during an emergency situation. Smart homes aren't just convenient; they're safe too!
Augmented Reality
An Augmented Reality app can superimpose information or visuals on your environment through your phone or tablet. No matter where you are, AR can provide you with valuable information that augments your current experience. According to Statista, there were
200 million active users of AR apps in 2018 and a forecasted 290 million by 2021. That’s why it’s so important for businesses like yours to consider incorporating an AR app into their marketing strategy. Let’s take a look at some of our favorite uses for augmented reality:
This is just scratching the surface of what augmented reality has to offer. To find out more about how you can use AR in your business, check out our post How Can Businesses Use Augmented Reality?