From IoT to Blockchain: The 8 Most Significant Technology Trends

https://unsplash.com/photos/vEE00Hx5d0Q

Digitalization is snowballing, and new digital trends are fundamentally changing our society in all areas of daily life.

Europe, like the rest of the world, faced the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. And the pandemic also affected new digital trends. It’s both stunning and fascinating when different digital technologies are combined and result in new applications.

Person's hand beside plasma ball signifies the coming technology boom
Significant technology trends will revolutionize our lives. Photo by Josh Riemer on Unsplash.

This article highlights the top nine trends in digital transformation that seem to be in focus. As always, they don’t operate independently of each other but rather reinforce each other. For example, “smart home” concepts grew from the invention of the Internet of Things (IoT). Take a look below.

1. Internet of Things (IoT)

The Internet of Things (IoT) is one of the fastest-growing global trends. It will change our lives in the same way that phones and the Internet have done it in recent decades.

The Internet of Things makes everyday objects smarter and our daily lives more convenient, efficient, and secure.

IoT is a system of electronic devices embedded with software and sensors connected to the Internet to exchange data with other devices and systems.

You can find IoT technology embedded in smart home security systems, wearable health monitors, and autonomous farming equipment.

Comprehensive solutions are needed to make IoT accessible to a broad user group. Engineers will need to develop products and solutions in the IoT sector that are easy to use for ordinary people.

2. Smart Home

Smart Home devices turn mundane objects like your thermostat into powerful tools to help you make decisions. They can also make decisions on their own by turning on the heat when you’re not home to prevent your pipes from freezing during an unexpected storm.

From the kitchen to the living room, everyday objects are becoming more intelligent and helpful.

We can control sensor-equipped kitchen appliances or multimedia players via an app from anywhere.

Smart lamps, heaters, and power sockets were some of the first IoT products. Many people already equip their apartments and homes with easy-to-use wireless IP cameras like Ring and Arlo.

It’s astounding to realize that you can view your security cameras or control your home temperature at any time from anywhere in the world.

3. Blockchain

Blockchain technologies, separate from bitcoin and related cryptocurrencies, are one of the most significant modern trends.

Blockchains are as groundbreaking as the invention of the Internet itself and will only fuel the rise of IoT devices.

They have already gained a firm foothold in everyday business life with innovations in banking, law, insurance, and of course, technology.

Anyone that needs a secure, logged record of some activity or action will find a use for blockchain tech.

4. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Machine learning (ML), or artificial intelligence (AI), enables systems to learn automatically from experience or training to improve their algorithms without manual programming.

AI/ML software has revolutionized speech and writing recognition, too. You can now point an app on your phone to a sign written in a foreign language, and it will translate it in real-time.

Improved artificial intelligence solutions will form the basis for new applications and devices that will change the world (and likely spark several new disaster movies about robots taking control of the human race).

5. Virtual and Augmented Reality

The next trend is virtual reality (VR), where people use VR goggles to move freely in a digital environment.

This technology is still mainly used for games and the entertainment sector.

For example, it is becoming popular in online gambling. According to analysts, modern live casino games like Baccarat online will be replaced by virtual reality online casino games.

Person playing Pokemon Go with augmented reality enabled
Pokemon Go was one of the most popular uses of augmented reality. Photo by David Grandmougin on Unsplash.

More and more companies are also turning to the technology known as augmented reality. Augmented reality displays real-time information as you move your phone (or glasses) around your environment. Imagine walking down the street and seeing detailed information about anything you see. As you shop online for furniture, these apps can show you what it will look like in your living room.

When you combine IoT sensors and data with augmented reality, the possibilities are endless.

You could look outside your window at your flowerbox and see if your plants need water or are getting too much sun. Look up from your flowerbox to the sky, and your AR app will give you real-time weather forecasts or tell you the name of that cumulonimbus cloud.

6. 5G

5G technology is the next big thing in wireless communications. While not yet fully implemented, providers currently use a hybrid of 4G and 5G while developing the 5G standard and building the infrastructure.

5G delivers higher Gbps, lower latency, and more reliability. These features are perfect for IoT, augmented reality, and streaming media services.

The rapid increase in networked objects has resulted in the explosive growth of digitized data. A rapid expansion of Internet networks is therefore urgently needed for this technology to succeed.

New blockchain technologies like Helium (HNT) use existing consumer networks to create a mesh grid in communities.

7. Digital Assistants

The market for digital assistants like Amazon Echo and Apple HomePod will also continue to grow.

Networked speakers with integrated microphones are currently mainly used to search for information, call contacts, listen to music, store online, read texts aloud, or operate navigation systems.

Users can also operate devices like lamps and shutters/blinds via voice control.

Older people, in particular, can benefit from digital assistants. These devices can help them at home, for example, to remind them to take medicine.

These network assistants will be the hub of the intelligent, connected home in the next decade.

8. Drones

Until now, drones have primarily been a working tool for professional photographers and filmmakers.

Meanwhile, parcel companies are also working on delivery drones to distribute goods by air for short distances.

If you shopped for a home recently, you might have watched a video of a drone flying through your potential house as if you were walking through yourself.

Drone technology has developed rapidly in the last few years. Stabilizers, better video feeds, and more straightforward controls will make drones accessible to businesses, consumers, and hobbyists.

By combining drones with other technologies like IoT, Helium, and blockchain, they could run most of our infrastructure without human drivers.

Summing Up

Modern technologies and new digital trends, such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, or 5G make our lives safer and more convenient.

They also create new industrial opportunities or make it possible to use resources such as energy and water more efficiently.

These modern technologies will also help increase the service life of products and even prevent diseases — something both businesses and consumers will enjoy.

Leave a Reply