Keeping up with the newest technologies can be a challenge for even the
most tech-savvy business owners and entrepreneurs. However, that
challenge got a bit easier, thanks to the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology (MIT) Technology Review, which today (April 23) released the
10 technologies they expect to change the world
this year.
this year.
For the list, MIT focuses on groundbreaking advancements that give people a new way to use technology.
"Every year we pick the 10 technologies we think most likely to change
the world," said Jason Pontin, publisher and editor in chief of the MIT
Technology Review, which published the list. "We are interested in how
technologies can solve really hard problems, whose solution will expand
human possibilities. These technologies are an expression of our
preferences and emphases, and they grow out of our reporting over the
previous year. This is the stuff we like."
Some of the technologies that have the biggest implications for
businesses include the following. The full list can be found at the MIT
Technology Review website.
Temporary social media
While social media has changed the way people interact in a big way,
many social sites such as Facebook and Twitter have also presented
problems with privacy and the availability of information. Enter
temporary social media platforms like
Snapchat, which allows users to send pictures that will automatically
destruct after a given period of time. These new platforms are allowing
users to interact socially while not broadcasting those interactions to
the world. Other companies in this space include Gryphn, Wickr and Burn
Note, MIT says.
Ultra-efficient solar power
The search for practical alternative forms of energy has been going on
for decades. However, the rise of ultra-efficient solar power is coming
closer to making the reality of alternate energy forms come true. These
breakthroughs are allowing solar power, in particular, to compete with
fossil fuels.
Smart watches
Growing popularity of smartphones has
changed the way and ease with which people get their information. Smart
watches are taking that one step further by gathering information from
smartphones and displaying them on an interactive watch. Some key
manufacturers include Pebble, Son, Motorola and MetaWatch.
Robotic advancements
Advancements in robotic technology have the potential to dramatically
impact the workplace as well. One new technology that is driving innovation
in the workplace is Baxter, a new creation by Rethink Robotics'. The
new technology is helping robots and workers work side-by-side more
safely by empoloying safer technology and facial recognition software.
in the workplace is Baxter, a new creation by Rethink Robotics'. The
new technology is helping robots and workers work side-by-side more
safely by empoloying safer technology and facial recognition software.
Additive manufacturing
One of the most popular trends of the past year has been the
development and popularization of 3-D printers. Companies are now
starting to take advantage of printers that build up several layers of
materials to form a fully functioning product or part. Recently General
Electric has begun to take steps to print fuel nozzles for new
aircrafts through 3-D printing, MIT says.
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