Top 5 Awesome Tech Trends to Watch for in 2016

As 2015 fades into memory and 2016 dawns, a new trend set to occupy the tech world with CES 2016 in progress in Las Vegas. There are few questions still unanswered like what will dominate the landscape as 2016 moves forward? Will tablets replace laptops? Can wearables break the shackles and occupy a market share? Does Internet of Things finally becomes more mainstream? Will 3D Printers becomes more cheaper and accessible?

The next 12 month are exciting to watch unfold, with that in mind, we have chosen top 5 technologies which we feel if join together will shape the larger picture of what technology would be in 2016.

1. Virtual Reality (VR)

There will be more than 40 virtual or augmented-reality kiosks at this year CES pitching an array of devices, experiences and services. All these tech are expected to turn immersive computing for your face from "future tech" to present tech in 2016.

Oculus VR Headset Illustration

Virtual Reality is not just for games; it can actually takes you anywhere and experience you anything.

Given the amount of investment by big giants like Google, Facebook, Sony and many more, Virtual Reality all set to take off in 2016. Three big products which includes Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and Sony VR headset for PS4 are expected to launch in first quarter of this year.

VR gained much prominence last year when Facebook acquired virtual reality startup Oculus Rift for US$2.1 billion and Microsoft ambitious HoloLens project provided more traction to the industry after that.

However, there are major challenges like unpleasant side effects due to VR, and many more yet to be addressed, but it's safe to say that VR will be a much talk about technology in 2016.

Tip: To taste some magic, if you're a Samsung smartphone user, you can get $100 Gear VR and if you're an iPhone user, you can try $20 Google Cardboard.

2. Internet of Things or Smart Objects

Internet of Things was a most discussed tech last year, and this year too it will remain a hot favorite. Imagine your home automatically responds to weather and becomes hot ahead of cold weather, or your street lights behave differently based on the traffic on road. Well, if you're not aware, it's already happening through so called 'Internet of Things' or a new term maybe used this year as 'Smart Objects.'

Internet of Things Illustration

Almost every device in near future set to become smart with tiny sensors inside it, which would also connect wirelessly to far-off data centers, where millions of machines server manage and learn from all that information. These smart objects set to occupy daily lives this year, with in-built technology to seamlessly connect with your smartphone - through wi-fi or bluetooth.

However, security researchers casting aspersions on this technology given the myriad problems it comes with when it comes to security. Hat and DEFCON hacker conference last summer shown how these devices can be easily hacked, which includes baby monitors, digital locks and drones.

Today's convenience could be tomorrow's data breach are an important factor to watch in this space this year.

3. Drones

Drone age has officially arrived, it is estimated that over half a million drones has been purchased during this holiday season alone in America. Science fiction or what you see in movies never felt more within reach than now, your intelligent washing machines taking it's own soap, your virtual reality headset providing the therapy to patients, your smart wearables calculating your heart beats. Are you ready to take it to next level where your drone follows you like a pet dog? 

Amazon Delivery Drone

 We all love flying objects and cool drone photography but we all can't be pilots, right? Drones are the closest thing we can own to fulfill the fantasy. However, this object comes with it's own concerns and obligations, as those who own drone must register before using it in United States, since drone can be used as spy agents for anti-government activities. Read here to know more on how to register your drones in United states. 

 The big talking point in this year, however, is that tech giant Amazon is going to start using drones for super-fast and instant deliveries. Why you'd need something from the internet within 30 minutes unless you made a serious last minute birthday gift error is beyond us. But Amazon Prime Air is getting ready to take off, anyway.

4. Hoverboards

Last year not been too well for hoverboards as too many injures and fires has been reported despite of it's sale went pretty well. But, this year seems to get some good news for enthusiasts who love to ride a new generation of Swagways.

Hoverboard Illustration by ArchBoard

A mexico based private aersopace company ArchBoard is set to launch it's ambitious real hoverboard in April 2016. No special license needed to ride it, you can navigate through smartphone, and the board can travel a little over a mile and stay airborne for like 3-6 minutes at a time, maxing out at 12.5 miles an hour, claims company.

However, it will remain interesting to watch if the company can succeed in overcoming the fire and safety concern.

5. Mobile Payment

Shopping without cards, bills, cash or wallet sounds great, right? Well, with more and more merchants adopting to e-payment technology, Mobile Payments will get more mainstream this year. 

An Illustration of Mobile Payment Technology

Last year, technology giants Apple, Samsung and Google already set the tone by introducing ApplePay and AndroidPay in all their phones and wearables. Apple claims to have 1.5 million subscribers who accepts their service by end of last year. This year with enhanced security more businesses set to opt for mobile payment. 

The startups like Square, Stripe, PayTM in India and WeChat in China are already making waves with their swift mobile payment platforms. Facebook too set to roll out mobile payment service in their messenger app. 

However, “The biggest challenge for retailers will be, as it was in 2015, where to focus their limited bandwidth/efforts in a constantly evolving mobile commerce ecosystem,” CardFree’s Mr. Squire said.

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About Lets Think

An Electronics Engineer by education, a part-time blogger by passion. He loves everything about technology, hence he writes about it. Interest includes Technology, Startups and Mobile Applications.