What changes will 2017 bring in mobile technology? Which trends should we watch? We already know the latest SkyCash forecasts on the mobile technology trends we will have to face this year.
First: Virtual reality (VR)
Virtual reality is becoming increasingly important in business, with the biggest players on the market investing in it, including Oculus, SONY and HTC. Although until now it has been used mainly in computer games, the role and application of this technology have changed dynamically. The potential of virtual reality is being used, among other things, in education, medicine, and in the goods and services industry. One example is IKEA, which, using augmented reality, created a smartphone app that lets customers visualize furniture in their homes.
Second: sensors and detectors
It turns out that in 2017 virtual reality will no longer be associated only with goggles and 360-degree images. A major change that is currently taking place in technology is the integration of various types of sensors and detectors into electronic devices. Some companies, such as HTC, are introducing new Vive Tracker sensors designed to enhance our virtual experiences. The effect? It is astonishing. You will be able to play tennis using a broom; all you need to do is attach the sensor to it. In sports electronics, meanwhile, special meters are being installed to track our progress, e.g. smartwatches or smartbands equipped with, among other things, heart-rate monitors that track the quality of general fitness and strength training.
Third: the year of virtual assistants
Another upcoming trend is automation, which opens the way to creating various kinds of systems and devices, including virtual assistants, equipped through multidimensional analysis with a semblance of intelligence. Virtual assistants such as Siri, Cortana and Alexa dynamically give users access to the information or functionalities they need. This year's smartphones will learn user habits, carry out voice commands, analyze sent and received messages, and automate as many activities as possible. For example, Alexa in the Mate 9 will be able to turn on the lights in an apartment, start a coffee maker, order an Uber or groceries delivered to your door, or check the weather.
Fourth: the growing popularity of mobile transactions
In 2017 mobile payments will continue to gain in popularity. It turns out that consumers do not want to limit themselves solely to cash, credit cards or online transfers. A phone can completely replace a traditional wallet. All you need to do is install a special app on your smartphone that, when making a purchase, will take our money directly from the balance. With the help of the relevant SkyCash apps, you can, among other things, buy public transport and rail tickets, pay for parking, pay for cinema tickets, top up your phone, make a mobile transfer or do grocery shopping. Mobile devices have undoubtedly taken over the payment market in Poland. They are valued above all for their speed and convenience of use. Smartwatches, smart bands and key fobs with a built-in payment card are also gaining in popularity.
Fifth: the Internet of Things and smart cars
Undoubtedly, another advancing trend will be the autonomization of cars. Today, technology giants such as Tesla, Google and Volvo are presenting greater vehicle capabilities with each new update. Autonomous cars base their operation on a set of radars, cameras and lasers scanning the vehicle's surroundings, and on the basis of this data the computer makes decisions. In addition, the cars have precise road maps, on the basis of which they can not only plan a route, but also know about the infrastructure and restrictions in a given place. Autonomous cars connected to our smartphones via the Internet will bring about a new technological revolution, pushing people out of taxis and public transport. By design, they will be safer - full autonomy and computer control are meant to ensure that accidents do not happen at all. The future clearly belongs to full autonomization.
