2013 has been an exciting year for the technology industry. We saw major announcements from some of the industry’s heaviest hitters, including Yahoo’s acquisition of Tumblr for $1.1 billion, Twitter going public and Apple’s new iPhones. As 2013 comes to an end, we’d like to look at what dominated our newsfeeds over the past year. Here are some products and trends that grabbed our attention:
- Google Glass: Expected to hit the market sometime in 2014, Google Glass has captivated our attention and left us in awe of its potential throughout 2013. Despite criticism involving privacy concerns and a viral Tumblr account depicting Glass users in an unfavorable light, the high-tech eyewear has received praise from developers. New Google Glass apps are announced daily, adding to the already impressive arsenal of applications… and the product hasn’t even officially launched yet.
- 3D printing: 3D printing is one of the most groundbreaking technologies in terms of the impact it could have on the masses. From 3D-printed organs to actual meals, the capabilities of this technology are virtually endless and are becoming more and more exciting as possibilities continue to unfold. Additionally, as printer prices fall, it’s becoming easier for regular folks like us to get our hands on one.
- Smart watches: They’re everywhere. The Pebble Smartwatch is leading the pack in terms of popularity, but plenty of contenders such as Sony and Samsung are not far behind with their offerings. Of course, there are the constant rumors that Apple and Google could throw their hats into the ring sometime soon too. We anticipate this trend to continue into 2014 as companies continue to improve early models.
- High-tech transportation: The Jetsons lifestyle doesn’t seem so far away with some big announcements regarding transportation technology in 2013. From Elon Musk’s Hyperloop to Amazon’s 30-minute drone delivery service, Prime Air, bold predictions have shaken up how we envision the future of transportation. Though we won’t see the Hyperloop or Prime Air anytime soon, it’s safe to say that transportation will look drastically different in the next five to ten years.
These products and trends were just the tip of the iceberg as far as exciting technology news from 2013. What were your favorite products or trends from 2013?
Stay tuned for MoPR’s predictions on which technology trends will dominate 2014.
