We may never have been in such an era of technological advancement. From Artificial Intelligence to Augmented Reality, wearable tech to machines helping to clear up the oceans, there’s so much going on, sometimes it all seems too much.

However, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t anything to look forward to. This month we wanted to highlight some of the developments that could shape our lives in 2019.

Technology

5G compatible laptops

Computing giant Intel is pushing for 5G connectivity in 2019, which is a huge milestone in the modern Internet era. It may only be rolled out in the US and China zones for now, but that doesn’t mean it won’t get to the UK eventually.

What’s even more exciting is that this 5G technology doesn’t just relate to smartphones or tablets, they’re developing 5G modems in selected laptop models. This would have a huge impact on the way that digital media is offered to consumers, so it’s something to keep an eye on.

3D metal printing

Since machinery and printing have always been an integral part of recent manufacturing processes, it should go without saying that 3D printing is something to watch out for in 2019.

3D plastic printing already exists, but 3D metal printing is poised to be the next big thing in the industry. Created by HP, the Jet Fusion model, hopes to make a difference within the manufacturing sector, which could revolutionise the way that smaller machine parts are created, whether in-house or off-site.

Wearable technology advancements

Ever since the introduction of the FitBit, Google Glasses and Apple Watches, wearable tech has been a staple for those looking to embrace the digital world in their own homes.

However, with a continued focus on exercise, mental health and wellbeing, it will be interesting to see how far wearable technology will advance in 2019. We may even see the introduction of virtual reality and augmented reality in our wearable tech, especially when it comes to personal training or improving overall fitness levels.

Trends

Chatbots go from good to great

We’ve all had experience with those frustrating chatbots from time to time, but hear us out. We believe that come 2019, chatbots are going to be able to properly communicate with consumers, without those annoying glitches and wrong answers.

This is because of the continued development in machine learning, natural language processing and sentiment analytics. All of these techniques mean that the chatbots are going to learn why we say what we say, how our faces change when we’re saying them and so much more.

The Internet of Things (IoT)

Once again, it’s something we’ve all come into contact with, but with the number of IoT devices expected to reach 30 billion by 2020, it should come as no surprise that IoT is another trend to watch in 2019.

Consumers already benefit from IoT devices, but that doesn’t mean that the technology will come to a standstill. We can already remotely lock our doors, control our heating systems and turn on ovens, so it stands to reason that IoT devices will be integrated into businesses across the world.

The IoT could be introduced to help keep remote-working employees safe, increase efficiency across multiple offices, help make business decisions based on Big Data and so much more.

Digital ethics and privacy

Ever since the Facebook scandal and the introduction of General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), consumers are becoming more and more concerned about their digital footprint and their privacy online.

This has already had a large impact on businesses, but that doesn’t mean it should stop with compliance. It’s now time to consider the ethics and trust surrounding privacy. The conversation needs to move away from “are we compliant” to “are our actions ethical and do they instil trust in our customers.”

As a result, companies are going to have to focus on gaining and maintaining trust with their customers if they want to succeed, and they must take into account the values of their customers before changing any of their operations.

Further reading

To find out more about how technology can play a part in your business, whether you’re multi-national or a small, home run company, take a look at the articles listed below:

• Have you considered these three technology upgrades in your home office?
• How a technology reseller could benefit your business
• How to reduce the costs of updating your company systems

 

So there have it, a round-up of the new technologies that could be hitting the market in 2019. Is there anything you’ve heard about that you think we’ve missed? We’d love to hear from you, so make sure you let us know in the comments below.

Likewise, if you’d like to talk to us about how our technology reseller services can help your organisation thrive, then we’re more than happy to talk. Get in touch with us today on 02392 699 412, or use our contact form.