In the case of 2015, some old acquaintances that have never finished getting off the ground entirely return, such as wearables or the Internet of things, and others, such as smartphones and mobile environments will finally reach a more than necessary maturity.
On the services side, cloud computing and Big Data will hopefully move on from being an eternally overused buzzword to something with more impact on the operations of many companies. For this to happen, an essential intermediate condition is security.
In smartphones
The smartphone is practically the default cell phone. The status quo. The democratization of the smartphone was one of the key trends in 2014. Devices became increasingly affordable without this involving a sacrifice to quality or user experience. In 2015, with the traditional candybar phone increasingly banished in mature markets, the smartphone will completely mature to stop being an innovation in itself and become something else, a platform, or better yet: a behavior.
Stakes placed in the field of mobility will end up building innovative services on cell phones with an understanding of the differences from desktops. Some examples: optimization and monetization of media traffic, improvements in e-commerce to increase conversion or the (definitive) adoption (which is well needed) of Big Data or developing advanced technologies to understand how users handle their phone. Cloud computing will be key in this regard, but this will be discussed a few paragraphs down.
En In wearables
These will be trendy, feature on the odd front cover and be talked about a lot. But this technology will not end up being entirely exploited. Probably one of the most significant events in this regard will be the launch next April of the Apple Watch. A smart watch that, understood in a certain way like the first iPhone 8 years ago, will probably be a statement of intent rather than a final assault. With the Apple Watch the company will make the road ahead clear, as well as the innovation, and the second or third model will be when we will see it being perfected.
The rest of the industry will follow. Some big players in today's wearables market, such as Pebble, Fitbit and Garmin will be threatened by much more versatile products at a not much higher price. Others, like Samsung and Sony will have to refine their offerings. In other words: fitness-tracking wristbands will probably be gradually fazed out, with a watch that has a larger touch screen being the new standard.
The major challenges here, although we will not see them until at least the end of 2015, will mean that wearables will progress from being a disruption on wrists (for instance) to something unseen. Like a watch, necklace or simple glasses. Something more like an efficient companion than an object that needs attention every so often.
Everything connected but without a common standard
The Internet of Things is another term, along with Big Data and Cloud Computing that has been going round in circles for some time. On paper, the idea is fabulous: each object is connected to the Internet and it communicates with everything else to make our lives easier: cell phone alerts when the coffee is ready or when it's time to turn off the oven, wireless speakers controlled from any device. It's a long list.
What's the reality? A large majority of everyday objects already incorporate connectivity options. Wearables without going any further, or some appliances, cell phones, outlets, thermostats, light bulbs, speakers or game consoles.
But each speaks a different language. Most advanced interconnections between them, like brightening or dimming the house lights depending on the time of day, pulse or mood, entail small hacks and tricks that are impractical.
In this regard, companies like Samsung or Apple, with HomeKit, have already begun to offer platforms on which to build this common language. In 2015 we will see how interactions between objects with connectivity become increasingly advanced and rediscover the true meaning of home automation software.
Responsible Social Media and Community Management
Social Media is part of the everyday activity and procedures of many companies. But along with innovation, the apple of the eye of Web 2.0, chaos and disorientation also appeared. In 2015 Social Media will move on from being an appendix in communication strategies to a full member that is mature and effective.
There are significant challenges to assume: a dialogue with the user that is flexible and jovialbut not tacky, appropriate responses in times of image crisis and maturity also by the user beyond the usual cheap little jokes.
Cloud Computing and Big Data
Two terms that have been repeated so much they are tiresome. The issue: behind the adoption of Big Data and Cloud Computing there is an awful lot of value, especially for SMEs because large enterprises have been adopting it to a greater or lesser extent for some time. In using the data generated by business approaches from the software side, the presence of an invisible and constant analytic will also be key to provide an instant response. The new buzzword will be Invisible Analytics.
Systems will also appear that from the union of both worlds will be able to match the response according to the context. For example with security. Security, especially in light of the recent devastating attacks on Sony, is one of the main deterrents to cloud computing adoption. In the case of security depending on the context, we will see systems capable of evaluating the response and modulation of security based on user or customer behavior. It will not be consolidated, by no means, in 2015, but we will begin to see the first steps. For better or worse, Big Data andCloud Computing will be around for a while. And there remains a lot to do.
Virtual reality: the final assault
It is assumed that Oculus Rift will be released in 2015, the revolutionary virtual reality headset that the maker of which was acquired by Facebook and are being called upon to transform the world of gaming but will gradually make inroads into other areas, such as marketing or the cinema.
More companies such as Sony, are also preparing their virtual reality alternatives (Project Morpheus), but we are not going to see them in 2015.
Mobile apps
The mobile messaging war, headed by WhatsApp, will become fiercer. Eager for their slice of the pie, other companies like Telegram will try to challenge the established giants, such as WhatsApp itself or Facebook Messenger. This will result in innovations in the messaging field that will entail changes, a little bit at least, to the way we communicate.
The main unresolved issue is ubiquity. Messaging from any device anytime. The (unsatisfactory) Web version that WhatsApp recently launched is a response to the threat from alternatives such as Line, Facebook Messenger, or Telegram, which can be used from almost any device.
In social networks, the latest players, such as Snapchat will become increasingly prominent and others, like Twitter and Facebook, will mature even further to fine-tune their platform, such as the arrival of group messaging and video on Twitter. Publishing platforms such as Medium or Tumblr will also receive their deserved dose of relevance.
3D printing
Although 3D printing is already an old acquaintance, the same thing will happen with this in 2015 as with smartphones in recent years: democratization. It will move away from increasingly prohibitive prices and begin to gradually reach more and more households.
The applications are endless, from small accessories or utensils to spares or artificial prostheses.
The lukewarm start of Artificial Intelligence
Both Elon Musk as well as Bill Gates have made it clear: beware of artificial intelligence. The former has even built a platform to regulate its use and development.
Artificial intelligence, far from entailing a future full of ultra-capable and intelligent humanoid robots (perhaps that too) will come in many forms. One of the closest is the beginning of the first autonomous cars. Google already has a fairly functional prototype in fact. One element that we spoke about in the section on Cloud Computing and Big Data, automated response depending on the context and action, will have a lot to do with this.
Conclusion: the long road to technological invisibility
Arthur C. Clarke said that “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic”. And when the sweet spot of disruptive innovation passes, the time of natural adoption comes, which goes unnoticed. Within 5 years smartphones have changed from being a device for early adopters to being present in most pockets. Far from being a distant future, home automation systems are starting to take their first firm steps among us. Over time, during 2015 and the years to come, most of these technologies will become so commonplace that it will be like what turning on or off a light switch is today.
The overall trend is to surround ourselves with invisible systems providing information and simplifying our daily lives, in essence, the very definition of technology.
NOTE CREDIT: http://www.centrodeinnovacionbbva.com/en/news/these-are-technological-trends-follow-coming-months