2015: A Whole New World

• 3D Printing. This exciting innovation is on its way to becoming more accessible to the general consumer; turning the world of 2D paper and ink upside down.
• 4D Printing. If you’re used to being ahead of everyone else, then this is for you. Not only is this type of printing 3D, in shape, but it Includes self-transforming materials. The most popular of these, so far, is known as the shape memory alloy, where an alteration in temperature causes a change in shape. Pretty cool, right?
• Risk-Based Security and Self-Protection. With the increase in risks being taken, in all spheres, comes the need for an increase in the number of security platforms used to accommodate these risks. These include, but are not limited, to, biometric authentication, credit cards designed using quantum physics, subscription services, and personal stealth technology in the form of wallets, jackets, bags and jeans that are designed to block wireless signals to your phone/mobile device. Did someone say 007?
• Consumerisation of Tablets. I mean, who doesn’t have a tablet?
• Oculus Rift Virtual Reality Head-Mounted Display. Attention gamers: the Rift uses custom-tracking technology to deliver exceptionally-low latency 360° head tracking, allowing you to flawlessly look around your virtual world, just as you would in real life. To the shops we go…

…FOR BUSINESS

• Growth in Use and Ability of Analytics. Otherwise termed as “logical growth without physical growth”. Seen in the increased amount of data, apps built using analytics, and the IoT (see below).
• The Cloud. This is no longer just something in the sky, well, not really. The increased use of the (technology) Cloud allows centrally co-ordinated apps to be delivered to any device, at cheaper bandwidth costs.
• Software-Defined Infrastructure and Apps, i.e.: Virtualisation. We’ve already mentioned the ever-inviting virtual reality. This is similar, but more business-like. Used for networking, storage, data centres, and security purposes.
• Web-Scale IT, e.g.: Amazon, Google, Facebook. Web-Scale IT describes what these companies have achieved in dexterity and scalability by simply applying new procedures, designs, and practices. Seen mostly in DevOps: a software development method emphasising communication, collaboration, and integration between software developers and IT professionals.
• Resource Management. Energy management will become a corporate discipline by 2017 thanks to energy management information systems. Yay for job creation!
• End of Service Desks. All in favour of proactive professional efficiency teams that operate in real time and make use of crowdsourcing.
• Real-Time Translation. Thanks to Skype. So far, between English and Spanish.

…FOR SOCIETY

• Internet of Things (IoT). Google definition: “a scenario in which objects, animals or people are provided with unique identifiers and the ability to transfer data over a network without requiring human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction”.
• Context-Rich Systems Involving Embedded Intelligence and Analytics. “For every 25% increase in functionality, there is a 100% increase in complexity”. Systems are alert and responsive and used mainly for security purposes. Think Matrix…
• Mobile Payments. These are faster and reduce credit card fees, but do involve privacy/security concerns.
• Artificial Intelligence. Just Google IBM’s A.I. Watson.
• Self-Driving Cars, i.e.: Volvo XC90 Sedan. This car exhibits built-in adaptive cruise control as well as park-assist pilot. Watch this space.
• Bendy Displays. Although the iPhone 6 bending was not meant to happen, LG and Samsung are producing paper-thin OLED (organic light-emitting-diode) panels that are meant to bend.
• Drones. Aka unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Not just in the Middle East – Amazon is testing drone package delivery systems. Just imagine.
• Clothes That Can Monitor and Transmit Biomedical Information. Achieved through wireless/cellular networks. Great invention for worried loved ones who live a distance away.
• 3D Haptic (Touch Feedback Technology) Shape. Can be seen and felt in mid-air – similar to ultrasound technology. Another breakthrough for the medical sciences.
• AI software. Can recognise objects in photos and videos at close-to-human levels. “[This] system can analyse [an] unknown image and explain it in words and phrases that make sense”. Scary but cool.