Tech Trends to watch in 2014

Year after year developments are made in technology: nothing stays the same for very long thanks to new innovation. With January 2014 on the horizon, let’s take a look at what could take the world by storm next year:

Google Glass

Google Glass is currently being developed, and is due to be released to consumers in 2014. Google Glass is a wearable computer, with an optical head-mounted display. Google Glass works like a smartphone, providing information and services in a hands-free format. Google Glass will be able to communicate with the internet using voice commands.

The glasses have the ability to take photos and record videos and includes a touchpad users can use to switch between apps on a timeline-style interface. The glasses have Wi-fi capabilities and allow many applications currently used by smartphones, including Google apps such as Google Maps or Google +.

Smart TV

Smart TV shipments are expected to reach 123 million in 2014 – 83 million greater than 2013. Prices will drop as consumer interest rises, and big name brands compete with one another. Apple are due to release its iTV in 2014, and is currently in its early-development stage. The iTV is rumoured to include iCloud sync and ultra HD LCD panels for optimum experience.

3-D Printing

Although 3-D printing has been around since the 1980’s, it hasn’t been commercially available until the beginning of this decade. 3-D printers enable users to print designs in 3-D: Layer by layer, 3-D printers build designs using gooey coloured plastic which then dries to form a solid 3-D object.

Although 3-D printers for consumer use have been declining in price, they are not widely used by consumers due to the design of the user interface, which is not very user-friendly.

However, printer companies are beginning to develop 3-D printers designed for less-experienced users. Pirate 3D have released its Buccaneer 3D printer with a price tag of below $500. The Makerbot Replicator 2 is another 3-D printer available today, and is marketed as on of the easiest 3-D printers to use.

Although 3-D printers will probably not be used by every Tom, Dick and Harriet any time soon, 2014 could see an increase in the use of 3-D printers by small or medium companies, or even in libraries and other public places.

Revolutions in Gaming Experience

With this year’s release of the Xbox One and the PlayStation 4, gaming experiences will change in 2014. The consoles promote increasing social media-like interactions between users as players will be able to have followers. The consoles will also enable users to do two or three activities, such as gaming, listening to music or watching tv, side-by-side rather than having to switch between activities.