You may have heard the term, “fourth industrial revolution” to describe the current state of technological advances. No matter how you feel about this idea, it’s undeniable that we’re living in a technologically advanced world. It’s not going to slow down any time soon.
Technology Trends for 2020
As we move into the second decade of the new millennium, here are some technology trends to watch in 2020 and beyond:
5G Networks
You’ve probably noticed an uptick in advertising promoting 5G technology. For individuals living in large metropolitan areas like New York, L.A., Chicago, Boston, or Indianapolis, 5G will be a reality sooner rather than later. For the rest of us, it will take a little longer before we see 5G offered in our area. As we move toward 5G everywhere, however, you’ll start to see improvements in cellular technology for everyone. Speed and reliability will improve as 5G gains ground nationwide.
Hyperautomation
Automation is certainly nothing new. The dawn of the Industrial Revolution introduced the concept of automation, making it possible for businesses and individuals to do more in less time. From that point forward, automation has become an essential part of numerous operational processes. While standard automation uses technology to automate tasks typically done by humans, hyperautomation takes this process a step further. Pairing AI tools such as facial recognition, speech recognition, language translation, and automatic navigation with machine learning capabilities can help businesses to quickly process data and better serve their customers.
Increased Security
In an era of data breaches and other cybercrimes, cybersecurity will continue to be a large part of everyday life. In some ways, online security has felt like the Wild West over the past several years. Ransomware, malware, phishing, brute force attacks, and other forms of cybercrime can quickly adapt to security measures. We’ve seen an uptick in security standards over the past few years. I think in 2020 we will see an even greater focus on security. Businesses and consumers alike will see cybersecurity options gain traction, including the use of biometrics like thumbprints and facial recognition. Two-factor authentication will become a requirement rather than an option for apps and websites that store and use personal information. Password protocols will also improve. In short, cybersecurity will become more standardized.
Augmented Reality
When Pokemon Go became a reality in 2016, it was the tip of an iceberg for the technology known as augmented reality (AR). Consumer-driven AR has been steadily developing in the past decade or so. Its origins, however, actually reach back into the 1950s, when (like a lot of modern technology) the military developed it first. For gamers and other technology geeks, AR and its close cousin, Virtual Reality (VR) delivers an immersive experience that’s hard to beat. Through 2020 and beyond, consumers will see continued improvements in AR/VR technology, including AR glasses, VR headsets, and heads-up displays.
8K Resolution
If you’ve purchased a TV recently, you probably felt a little overwhelmed by all of the options available. It can be a challenge to determine the technology that best fits your needs among the LED, OLED, HDR, and UHD smart TVs on the market today. TVs with 4K resolution deliver a sharp, brilliant picture, making them one of the most popular options for home entertainment. On the horizon, however, lies 8K technology. There are a few 8K TVs on the market already, but currently, there aren’t any movies or shows available using 8K technology. Purchasing an 8K television won’t give you an improved viewing experience… yet. (One notable exception: the 2020 Olympics in Japan will broadcast in 8K, largely because Japan has one 8K broadcaster – NHK – up and running.) The real story here is that continued progress toward 8K technology will help to improve 4K technology over the coming years.
2020 is Just the Beginning
There has been a lot of hype surrounding 2020 as the beginning of a new decade. We’ve seen numerous predictions of what the next ten years will bring. While I don’t have a crystal ball, I am excited about the rapid and steady progress of technology, both in the short term and long term. The five trends outlined above have the potential to significantly improve business communications as well as make our personal lives more interesting.
As we progress through 2020 and beyond, Lieberman Technologies will be following these trends with great interest. We’re here to assist our customers in deploying the technologies that best suit their needs, as best practices and standards evolve. Welcome to 2020!