Top Tech in 2018
2018 is going to be a great year for home technology. More and more technology coming to the market is specifically designed to make your home smarter, more comfortable, more stylish, and better equipped to meet your every need. Here’s a few of the most anticipated tech releases of the year.
Smart Devices and Smart Homes
So many of the devices we use every day are smart, and they are all connected by the Internet of Things (IOT). The IOT is a network of physical devices (like vehicles, home appliances and other items) that have electronics, software, and other technology that enables these objects to connect and exchange data. Many experts estimate that by 2020 there will be 30 billion devices connected via the IOT. Each year, TVs, phones, fitness trackers and watches, and more all become smarter. There is also an increasing number of new smart devices, like a smart yoga mat, smart cookware, or smart light bulbs. 2018 will be another great year for new and improved smart technology.
The more smart devices we bring into our homes, the smarter our homes become. Many of these devices allow us to connect to parts of our home wherever we are. Smart doorbells and locks allow us to lock or unlock our home from anywhere, and eliminate the need for a physical key. Smart lights allow us to adjust the lighting and color in different rooms from the comfort of our bed. We’re also able to view real-time security video feeds through smart security cameras streaming directly to our phones. These are just a few of the newest trends in smart home development and automation.
It’s important to point out when buying one of these smart products, you research and invest in the best products. Many of these devices rely on Cloud Servers, provided by the company that sells the device. If these companies turn off the servers, or choose not to update the security keys, these smart devices can be rendered useless.
Personal Assistants
Amazon, Google, and now Apple are three of the biggest competitors in the personal assistant arena. Asking Alexa, your Google Home, or Siri questions is becoming a bigger and bigger deal. More and more homes are getting these devices to help them answer questions, play music, play games, listen to the news, and control home automation. Amazon’s Alexa and the Google Home have been around for a few years, and Apple’s HomePod is now available. Because there is an increasing number of smart devices (and more expected to be released this year) there is an increasing demand for personal assistant products.
These personal assistants are becoming more easily available to us. All of the smart home assistants are available via “smart speakers” and are always listening and ready to help. Last year, the sales of these devices was in the tens of millions.
Artificial Intelligence and Automation
Many of these smart devices we use are programmed to better understand what we need the longer we use them. There are several uses of AI in new technology. Facial recognition, text completion, reading messages, listening for commands, and speaking. Technology’s ability to become more intelligent grows as we use it.
The more intelligent our devices become, the more uses we have for them. As mentioned above, home automation is and will continue to be a big part of the artificial intelligence focus.
Ultra High Definition Video and Virtual Reality
More and more devices are able to shoot video in Ultra High Definition or 4K. This means we need more technology that supports UHD or 4K playback. Many would argue that 4K UHD TVs have become the standard for new TVs. Streaming services recommend 4K UHD TVs, and rely heavily on their advanced technology. Broadcast TV hasn’t made the switch from HD to 4K UHD, though with the newest broadcast standards (ATSC 3.0), we should begin to see more 4K UHD TV broadcasts later this year.
With the Oculus rift reaching its second year on the market, and the new Sony Playstation VR headset available late in 2017, the virtual reality world is about to explode. More and more games will be made for these immersive headsets, and some experts predict movies and other media will be tailored to fit this new technology.
2018 will be a hot year for new and improved technology. There will be many more developments in technology within the home, home automation, and home theater technology. This year will be a good one, and it’s important that you stay on top of the new tech trends.
