2017 is a year to watch for many technological advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI), screen resolutions, smart cars, home integration, cyber security, and possibly, smartphones.
Here are some predictions for 2017:
OLED screens will be more mainstream.
Up until today, South Korea's LG has been the only manufacturer that's been making OLED TVs. However, this year also saw luxury audiovisual brand Bang & Olufsen partnering up with LG for the manufacture of its own OLED TVs. The first set is expected to be released this 2017.
OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) technology produces top-notch visual quality that can reproduce colors in nature. LCD and LED screens, though acceptable, are limited by the colors they can produce. OLED screen displays are touted to "look the best." And while they are not the most affordable to buy at this time, it is foreseen that OLED screens will be made available with more manufacturers in 2017.
Smart home is going to be huge.
2016 has seen the rise of more affordable AI-run home assistants such as Amazon Echo, Amazon Dot, and Google Home. However, these devices can only do so much with a limited array of home equipment that can be paired up with them.
For 2017, it is foreseen that more integrations will be made with more home equipment, including a 'smart' microwave.
Cyber security will be more sophisticated.
2016 hasn't been really kind to consumers, governments and private companies with all the breaches that have been made on a wide scale. Password breaches are even expected, with a password manager highly recommended for individual users so random passwords are made each time there is a log in. For 2017, more sophisticated antivirus and enterprise security software are expected, with cyber security technologies better equipped to be 'smart' with protecting data.
There will be big improvements with smartphones.
Many analysts say 2016 has been a disappointing year for the smartphone industry in terms of features and its surprising glitches (e.g. Samsung Galaxy Note 7's failing batteries). While many smartphones are now waterproof, have great cameras, high resolution screens, and fingerprint-sensing technologies, batteries are still a big problem with smartphones. It is foreseen that staggering improvements with battery life will be launched for 2017, as this feature is something that can set apart smartphones from the rest of the pack.
As Jayson DeMers of Forbes Magazine says, "Whether you're a business owner trying to make your enterprise more profitable, a marketer trying to make your life easier, or just a consumer eager for the latest and greatest technology, it's hard not to be excited about the new tech trends that are shaping our world."
