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A fresh year means new technology to look forward to in 2014. The annual International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) was held in Las Vegas earlier this year and provided great insight into what to expect, technology-wise, in 2014. Although, some products might not be available in South Africa for a while.
The biggest buzz seemed to be around wearable technology.
Wearable tech can be broken down into three categories: Glasses, Notifiers and Trackers.
We all know about Google Glass by now; a wearable computer in the form of a pair of glasses. The glasses are expected to go on sale sometime this year for about $500 and experts are predicting that four million “smartglasses” will be sold.
These amazing glasses are even said to transform the way surgery is performed as doctors are now using them in the operating room.
The optical head mounted display allows the surgeon to keep his eyes on the patient at all times and the microphone gives him the ability to communicate with those outside of the operating room, such as the patient’s friends and family. Procedures can also be documented on the internet, which is helpful when communicating with other doctors.
Notifiers are devices which give you information from the world around you, such as smartwatches and wristbands that are able to receive text messages, phone calls, social media mentions as well as provide other communication and interactive features, compatible with Android and iOS.
Trackers use sensors to record data such as heart rate, exercise, calories, visuals and much more, via fitness wristbands and life-logging cameras. The products are connected to the internet and the data can then be downloaded through an app on your smartphone.
In all likelihood, fitness trackers and smartwatches will eventually merge into one.
Intel presented a tiny computer the size of an SD card at the show, which they are hoping will act as a base for future wearable devices.
Global sales of wearable computers are thought to surpass $3 billion in 2014.
Other trends include 3D printing, which will eventually allow users to print out 3D objects such as shoes, accessories and toys from home. It sounds a bit sci-fi, as NASA has sent these printers to space in order to replace minor parts (which is far easier than having the parts shipped there), but apparently 3D printers have been around for 25 years, and now due to technological improvements and reduced costs they are becoming more popular.
"3D printers will be in your house like refrigerators, TVs and microwaves," music star will.i.am said at the event.
Andrew Boggeri, owner of a Las Vegas company called Full Spectrum Laser, mentioned a study indicating that the average US home could save up to $2 000 annually, by printing, instead of replacing a number of the 27 commonly broken household items. "The US is a hotbed of 3D printing right now," Boggeri said. So watch this space!
Micropayment applications, which will allow a variety of payment solutions to talk to each other so that physical money doesn’t need to change hands, is said to expand in South Africa this year and developments in television, physical ones as well as in telecommunications, are being spoken about.
It looks like Vodacom will formally bid to buy Neotel and a deal between Telkom and MTN should be finalised this year. Although, a Telkom Mobile, MTN arrangement could be more complicated than a Vodacom and Neotel one.
All in all, a lot of interesting developments in the technological sphere this year. We’re excited for 2014, aren’t you?!
Follow Women24 on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
The biggest buzz seemed to be around wearable technology.
Wearable tech can be broken down into three categories: Glasses, Notifiers and Trackers.
We all know about Google Glass by now; a wearable computer in the form of a pair of glasses. The glasses are expected to go on sale sometime this year for about $500 and experts are predicting that four million “smartglasses” will be sold.
These amazing glasses are even said to transform the way surgery is performed as doctors are now using them in the operating room.
The optical head mounted display allows the surgeon to keep his eyes on the patient at all times and the microphone gives him the ability to communicate with those outside of the operating room, such as the patient’s friends and family. Procedures can also be documented on the internet, which is helpful when communicating with other doctors.
Notifiers are devices which give you information from the world around you, such as smartwatches and wristbands that are able to receive text messages, phone calls, social media mentions as well as provide other communication and interactive features, compatible with Android and iOS.
Trackers use sensors to record data such as heart rate, exercise, calories, visuals and much more, via fitness wristbands and life-logging cameras. The products are connected to the internet and the data can then be downloaded through an app on your smartphone.
In all likelihood, fitness trackers and smartwatches will eventually merge into one.
Intel presented a tiny computer the size of an SD card at the show, which they are hoping will act as a base for future wearable devices.
Global sales of wearable computers are thought to surpass $3 billion in 2014.
Other trends include 3D printing, which will eventually allow users to print out 3D objects such as shoes, accessories and toys from home. It sounds a bit sci-fi, as NASA has sent these printers to space in order to replace minor parts (which is far easier than having the parts shipped there), but apparently 3D printers have been around for 25 years, and now due to technological improvements and reduced costs they are becoming more popular.
"3D printers will be in your house like refrigerators, TVs and microwaves," music star will.i.am said at the event.
Andrew Boggeri, owner of a Las Vegas company called Full Spectrum Laser, mentioned a study indicating that the average US home could save up to $2 000 annually, by printing, instead of replacing a number of the 27 commonly broken household items. "The US is a hotbed of 3D printing right now," Boggeri said. So watch this space!
Micropayment applications, which will allow a variety of payment solutions to talk to each other so that physical money doesn’t need to change hands, is said to expand in South Africa this year and developments in television, physical ones as well as in telecommunications, are being spoken about.
It looks like Vodacom will formally bid to buy Neotel and a deal between Telkom and MTN should be finalised this year. Although, a Telkom Mobile, MTN arrangement could be more complicated than a Vodacom and Neotel one.
All in all, a lot of interesting developments in the technological sphere this year. We’re excited for 2014, aren’t you?!
Follow Women24 on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
