Top Tech Trends for 2017
Technology is evolving at a rapid pace and every year new gadgets and gizmos arrive on the scene, changing the way we do things for the better, automating processes and streamlining our lives. As we just over half way through 2017 now is an excellent time to take a look at the tech trends that are proving prevalent this year.
The Internet of Things (IOT)
The Internet of Things has been on most people’s lists for the last few years, but it keeps evolving and changing. The theory behind the IOT is that it will connect all our devices and let the work together in technological harmony, and this is slowly coming to fruition. Smart home systems are coming to the fore and with smartwatches, that pair with smartphones, cars that start without keys, Android Auto and devices like Amazon and Alexa and Google Home ensure IOT has gone mainstream. From lights you can control at the touch of a phone, the smart home is happening, and 2017 looks set to be the year it explodes.
Automation and AI
AI has grown in leaps and bounds and automated services and systems are really making headway. Chatbots have become big news and the way they understand and respond to contextual commands is now nothing short of incredible. AI is being used in all fields and although there are many who fear it may reduce employment, these fears at present seem unfounded. AI robots have made appearances in airports and are now able to do everything from check-in luggage to inform travellers of the weather at their destination or direct them to their boarding gate.
AR and VR
As Pokémon Go showed us all, we are ready for AR, and VR technology also ties in closely with this trend. AR, however, requires fewer resources and is more easily attainable, but with so many companies backing the development of VR headsets and driving the price points down, this tech has also become more widely available. Even online casino games are making forays into the AR and VR world and going forward, the way we play slots, Roulette or even online casino Keno may be very different – and even more realistic. 2017 has been a good year for both AR and VR and it looks like these 2 technologies will feature heavily in the near future
3D Printing
From car parts to e-cigarettes, 3D printers are being used across the board. Although these printers have been around for a decade or more, they have only recently become affordable for the average consumer. Base models can be used to print small plastic components and home businesses, craftsmen and entrepreneurs are using these printers extensively. As 3D printers are now so much more affordable they are also being used in a greater number of areas and the theory seems to be rather than buy it, print it!
Synthetic Food
Technology and food have a long and interesting history, but in 2017 great strides seem to have been made in this area. From companies creating synthetic meat using proteins to plant-based burgers that taste exactly like the real thing, food tech is changing the way we eat and how we enjoy the average meal. As consumers increasingly push for cruelty-free and environmentally friendly foods, there is also a focus on growing foods in lab environments that do not affect the animal. Synthetic foods may sound like the thing of nightmares, but technology may hold the key to feeding the world in the future.
