Be The Trend- What Are The "Next Big Thing"?
Technology is a dynamic, ever-changing, and ever-evolving entity, so we are always looking forward to the next big thing. Every year, there are new technologies introduced, and there is always something on the verge of becoming widely accepted as standard practice.
Author:Daniel JamesReviewer:Karan EmeryFeb 25, 202261.3K Shares1.2M Views
Technology is a dynamic, ever-changing, and ever-evolving entity, so we are always looking forward to the next big thing. Every year, there are new technologies introduced, and there is always something on the verge of becoming widely accepted as standard practice. Consider the smartwatch as an example. A prototype was introduced two years ago, and by the end of 2014, there will be at least four distinct high-quality smartwatches on the market. The next decade will undoubtedly offer many interesting technical developments, even if we aren't living on Mars or going to work in jet packs just yet.
In the world of technology, this was the decade of the smartphone. In 2009, Symbian was still the most widely used "smartphone" operating system, but 2010 saw the introduction of the iPhone 4, the Samsung Galaxy S, and the Nexus One, and currently Android and iOS have a combined total of four billion active smartphones worldwide. Smartphones and their applications are no longer a revolutionary new platform, but rather an established market. So, what happens next?
In the query, it is implied that something must happen next as if it were an unbreakable rule of nature. It's understandable why this could appear to be the case. The previous thirty-plus years have seen three huge, overlapping, and world-changing technological platform shifts: the introduction of computers, the internet, and cellphones, to name a few. It appears certain that a fourth film will be released in the near future.
What Are The "Next Big Thing"?
So, what do you think the future will be like in 10 years from now? What do you think will be the next big thing? It is my personal view that, given the current rate of technological improvement, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to make these kinds of projections. Here are just a few of my educated estimates as to what technology — some new, some upgraded versions of what's already ubiquitous today — will become a fundamental part of civilization in the not too distant future.
Blockchain
How does a blockchain work - Simply Explained
It is likely that by now we have all heard about how blockchain technology is revolutionizing just about every sector conceivable. Banking, politics, healthcare, and other industries might all theoretically profit from the development of a decentralized digital ledger that monitors and saves information in several locations, making forgeries hard to commit. Identification is given by complicated computations, which makes identity theft almost difficult as a result of this.
But there is one word that jumps out from the rest of the text in the description above: Decentralized. Banks, governments, and hospitals are among the organizations that do not want their authority reduced (unless on their own terms). As a result, it is probable that we will see some advancements in the blockchain field, but it will stay on the periphery of technology, failing to bring about the revolutionary change that its supporters have anticipated.
Cryptocurrency
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong's Vision for the Future
Cryptocurrencies, which are frequently referenced in the same breath as blockchain, operate on the same principles as blockchain in order to allow the exchange of goods and services via the internet (again in a decentralized fashion, which is one of its main appeals). A large number of individuals feel that cryptocurrency will be the next big thing in the world of finance in the near future. Although cryptocurrencies appear to be a brilliant idea, there are two major problems with them:
With the exception of illicit transactions, its primary attraction is that it is hip and fashionable. It was never intended to maintain the kind of attention it received in 2017, and it will never recover from the persistent foolishness of the crypto-bros. The technology is viable; nevertheless, there is currently no widespread market for it.
Second, its worth is highly subjective (unlike gold, don't take it personally). Cryptocurrencies are always in either pre-bubble or bubble zone at any given point in time. In addition, because of the decentralized nature of the system, which governments and banks would strive to undermine, you can be assured that it will continue to be a novelty item that Chad brings up at frat parties (because there's always a Chad).
Virtual Reality
PlayStation VR - Games Preview Summer 2016 | PSVR
Prepare yourselves, all of you gaming nerds out there. Many video game enthusiasts are already familiar with the Oculus Rift, which is a virtual reality gear that can be used to play video games. A few months ago, it was purchased by Facebook, which is aggressively attempting to transform it into a social gadget in addition to a gaming device. According to reports, Samsung is also working on its own project. There will come a day when you will be able to purchase one of these headsets, carry them with you everywhere you go and watch, play, or see anything you choose. It's already on the verge of completion.
There is evidence that the origins of virtual reality may be traced back to the late 1950s when computers were contained Goliaths the size of entire houses. Inventor Douglas Engelbart, a young electrical engineer, and former navy radar technician saw the potential of computers as digital displays and laid the groundwork for the development of virtual reality. Fast forward to now, and virtual reality hasn't progressed all that much - at least not in the sense that we've seen it in movies.
But, if we were to put on the metaphorical virtual reality goggles, what kind of insight into the future would we gain? You'd see a role for virtual reality that extends far beyond video games, such as the type that Oculus Rift is attempting to achieve. Using multi-player virtual reality, a class of students can go on a virtual tour of the Egyptian pyramids, or a group of friends can watch the most recent season premiere of HBO's "Game of Thrones" together. It also allows the elderly to experience what it is like to share a visit with their grandchildren who may be thousands of miles away. The most practical use of virtual reality may not be in the creation of illusions, but in enhancing reality by bringing people together in ways that have never been possible before. It's a tremendous amount of fun.
Renewable Energy
Renewable Energy 101 | National Geographic
The ones that are living right now are confident of one thing. We will be the last living species on this planet to regard fossil fuels as the exclusive source of energy. Solar and wind energy are projected to make enormous leaps over the next few decades. Individuals are investigating alternative fuel sources ranging from wheat to algae. Our reliance on oil and coal is still rather strong, but it is beginning to wane. Expect a massive push for electric cars and solar panels on homes during the next decade, as well as plenty of whining from oil industry executives.
The Solarcity Gigafactory, located near Buffalo, New York, will be able to generate up to 10,000 solar panels per day within the next year. It has the potential to completely transform the alternative energy market and make solar energy far more cheap. During the course of their efforts to overcome the global energy issue, firms and governments around the world will be attracted to renewable energy sources.
For example, China has already suggested a $50 trillion global energy grid by 2050, which is expected to be implemented. The invention in this case is a system that creates renewable energy technologies on a worldwide scale in a short amount of time and with high efficiency.
Artificial Intelligence
What Is AI? | Artificial Intelligence | What is Artificial Intelligence? | AI In 5 Mins |Simplilearn
You've probably seen the movies about it, but is it really possible that it will exist in our lifetime? The answer is yes, it is possible that it will happen. The famous IBM robot that educated everyone on Jeopardy! is a good example of the type of development we've made in artificial intelligence, and you've probably already seen it. Even while there is still a long way to go, technologies like contextual technology (Siri, Google Now, Cortana, and so on) are making it easier to develop software that can foresee and respond in the same manner that a human can. It won't be long until everything is brought together to produce a robot that can think for itself.
The rising capacity of machines to learn and behave intelligently is transforming our environment irreversibly. Additionally, it is the driving force for a good portion of the other trends on this list.
Artificial intelligence that is capable of learning and acting independently of its human masters appears to be science fiction. Nonetheless, this might become our new reality over the next three to five years. Robots will be able to acquire skills, execute tasks, and submit data to the cloud to assist other AI systems in rapidly learning. Different forms of AI will no longer need to be programmed independently. They will be able to comprehend concepts, imitate operations, and make discoveries far more quickly than humans ever could. The best aspect is that the "future" has arrived. Researchers have devised a ground-breaking artificial intelligence system that can repeat the 2001 Nobel Prize-winning quantum physics experiment in less than an hour.
Quantum Computers
Quantum Computers Explained – Limits of Human Technology
Our present state-of-the-art technology will appear to be something out of the Stone Age when compared to quantum computers, which are impossibly fast computers capable of solving apparently intractable problems. As of now, most quantum computing research is being conducted in laboratories, but the first commercially usable quantum computer might be ready by the end of this decade.
Conclusion
Technology has a propensity to act as a dark mirror for society, reflecting both the good and bad qualities of its creators. It's critical to remember that technology is frequently value-neutral: it's how we use it on a daily basis that determines if we're dealing with the "next great thing."
We are on the verge of resolving some of the most perplexing issues in human history. The "next big thing" will inevitably result in an "even bigger thing," since innovation never ceases. This is an excellent opportunity to get engaged. With capital and assistance accessible to anybody with a solid concept, the potential is endless.
Daniel James
Author
Daniel James is a distinguished gerontologist, author, and professional coach known for his expertise in health and aging.
With degrees from Georgia Tech and UCLA, including a diploma in gerontology from the University of Boston, Daniel brings over 15 years of experience to his work.
His credentials also include a Professional Coaching Certification, enhancing his credibility in personal development and well-being.
In his free time, Daniel is an avid runner and tennis player, passionate about fitness, wellness, and staying active.
His commitment to improving lives through health education and coaching reflects his passion and dedication in both professional and personal endeavors.
Karan Emery
Reviewer
Karan Emery, an accomplished researcher and leader in health sciences, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals, brings over two decades of experience to the table. Holding a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Stanford University, Karan's credentials underscore her authority in the field.
With a track record of groundbreaking research and numerous peer-reviewed publications in prestigious journals, Karan's expertise is widely recognized in the scientific community.
Her writing style is characterized by its clarity and meticulous attention to detail, making complex scientific concepts accessible to a broad audience. Apart from her professional endeavors, Karan enjoys cooking, learning about different cultures and languages, watching documentaries, and visiting historical landmarks.
Committed to advancing knowledge and improving health outcomes, Karan Emery continues to make significant contributions to the fields of health, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals.
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