As we bid farewell to 2017 and welcome in the new year, what technological trends are on the horizon? Here are Transcendit's tech predictions for 2018 that you should watch out for.
Everything is going to be 'smart'
Smart watches, smart fridges, smart kettles - the internet of things has taken off and the collection is growing more and more each year. In 2018 you can expect more smart ovens, smart pool cleaners and smart lawnmowers - everything is going to have the ability to connect to the internet, whether you need it to or not. We only hope that their security gets better! If you own a smart device, learn how to secure it here.
It's the age of the cryptocurrency
Ok, so Bitcoin rose victoriously and then crashed dramatically, losing about a third of its value in the process; but there's no question that crypto currencies are gaining traction. There's now over a thousand different versions, and more people are investing. Despite fluctuations in currency they are showing no signs of slowing down, and they are likely to keep growing. If you're interested, learn how to buy cryptocurrencies safely and securely here.
Augmented reality apps a-plenty
Since Pokemon Go in 2016, augmented reality has been on a roll. We've seen corporate heavyweights like Ikea get involved, as well as a boatload of new apps that can do everything from measure your furniture to turn your face into a puppy. More augmented reality games are coming up - including a Harry Potter augmented reality app - but we're particularly excited about the apps that will undoubtedly move augmented reality beyond gaming.
Get your headsets on - they'll be even more VR
We'll also be seeing more virtual reality, which has gained enormous popularity over this last year. There are some great looking games to look forward to in 2018, but VR has branched out beyond gaming. Virtual reality has reached everything from journalism to activism, and and we're anticipating some great developments next year.
Unfortunately, a few more massive data breaches
2017 has certainly been a wake up call for some organisations who have suffered massive data breaches. Unless the hackers hang up their black hats, we'll probably be seeing a few more of these in 2018. In accordance with the new GDPR guidelines which come into effect in May, companies and organisations will now have to let individuals know that their privacy has breached no more than 72 hours after they've become aware of it themselves. Making sure your business has adequate network security, and your staff are clued up on malware, could keep your business safe and save you money in this coming year.
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