Through The Looking Glass: 2017 Tech!
Technology moves and develops at such a rapid rate. We thought that we’d slow the pace down for just a moment and take a glance at the most prevalent ‘tech trends’ to date this year …
VIRTUAL AND AUGMENTED REALITY
Virtual and Augmented Reality are becoming more widely available to consumers through hardware, games and apps. Also, a wide range of industries, businesses and brands are realising the capabilities of this technology. Virtual Reality (VR) has the power to enhance numerous life experiences, from shopping to travelling, learning to healthcare and well-being.
The healthcare industry is currently exploring these technologies to train medical students, provide therapy to patients, and contribute to the rehabilitation of stroke, spinal-cord injury and amputee patients. In addition, the property sector is embracing VR as a revolutionary tool for marketing property through virtual open houses and 3D experiences from the comfort of agent showrooms. The use of VR in property is already a $1bn industry globally, and Goldman Sachs estimate that is set to treble by 2020.
2017 is a great time to explore a whole new virtual world of entertainment, information and communication, as thousands of developers, games designers and film-makers explore the medium of VR and its creative potential.
SMART HOMES
The smart home has arrived …turn up the heat, dim the lights and cue the music, all with the touch of a button or a voice command. The internet is gradually making its way into everything from appliances to thermostats, and you’ll soon be able to control most things in your house from your phone.
Some of the smart home gadgets on the market can be a little complex and pointless. But a number of them blend into normal life, providing safety and security, accessibility, energy efficiency, environmental responsibility and a reduction in running costs.
Current smart home gadgets available include voice command systems, smoke detectors, lighting, thermostats, security systems, electricity switches, kitchen appliances (e.g. kettle) and hoovers! They are all designed to to fit in with daily routines and make your home work ‘smarter’. How did we ever live without them?
MOBILE PAYMENTS
Consumers are increasingly looking for tools that make moving and managing money more convenient and mobile seems to be the solution! The uptake of mobile payments is gradually increasing driven by consumers’ desire for an improved retail experience and their need to be cashless.
It is becoming increasingly apparent that mobile payments have the ability to transform the retail experience. Alongside the simplicity of payment, there are numerous benefits for shoppers: avoiding queues, centralising loyalty rewards, checking stock, ordering ahead, enjoying customised offers and easy price comparison. So, prepare to leave your wallet at home and remember your smartphone when shopping!
WEARABLES
As technology becomes smaller, smarter and integrated into everything, wearing it has become a social standard. Whether it’s smart watches, fitness trackers or smart clothing, the tech you can wear to keep tabs on your health and fitness levels is more popular than ever.
The new age of wearable technology is laden with smart sensors, and makes use of a web connection (e.g. Bluetooth) to connect wirelessly to the users smartphone. The sensors connect to ‘you’, to help track your fitness, activity, weight loss, sleeping patterns and even your daily organisation.
The rapid growth of digital devices promises far more powerful and cost-effective wearable technology in the months and years to come.
Where ‘tech’ is concerned, the future is full of unlimited possibilities! Are you ready to embrace the changes ahead..?
Shared by Touch Right Software
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