5 Tech Trends That Took 2016 by Storm

In the tech world, nothing is more prized than being on the cutting edge. If you already feel like you are living in a sci-fi futuristic fantasy, just wait until you hear these five jaw-dropping tech trends.

So after trimming the frivolous, here are the tech trends and products to keep an eye on this year.

VR is Getting Even Bigger

VR is not just for gaming enthusiasts. It will break out of the geek realm and top wish lists for kids and young adults this year. Which already seems to be happening with PlayStation VR pre-orders being sold out on Amazon. The granddaddy of them all, the Oculus Rift, along with the other branded VR, the HTC Vive will set you back a hefty price tag which you'll never be able to afford.

But, Google Cardboard changes the game. It’s so low-cost that I Am Cardboard turned boxes into VR viewers for only $14.99. The year 2015 witnessed the dawn of a trend that aimed to distribute low-cost, low-end VR devices to the masses. Last year, a number of publications including the likes of Outside Magazine, the New York Times and others started delivering free Google Cardboard headsets to their subscribers. This trend is likely to continue this year as well – in some form or the other.

And let's not forget about VR's cousin: 360-degree video. Camera systems — both simple and sophisticated — for capturing spherical footage will be a big focus. A move that signals VR's expansion out of the gaming world and into different categories. Leading the pack is 360cam by Giroptic. Soon, sharing your experience in 360-degree virtual reality will be as easy as posting an phone snapshot to Instagram.

Drones Fly Upwind

Tech people love talking about drones, and 2016 will be the year they go from interesting novelty to useful gadget. If the legion of quadcopters we saw at Startup Launchpad HK is any indication, then our new sky overlords will look cool and pack cutting-edge flight and image technology.

DJI shows smart drones that track where you are to shoot better videos — think a drone that tracks you on a snowboard flying down a hill. But if you think drones are either too professional or gimmicky for everyday use? Then Xenosky has the solution— the Loop is the world’s first family drone, which is attractive to those who want to have fun and share their drone-flying experience with their family. At Startup Launchpad, we also got to check out Rotor X Atom V2, a near indestructible FPV micro-racing drone with no need for a large field or park.

With this kind of innovation — or craziness — still in full gear, it’s not hard to believe the sales forecasts for drones. By 2018, $ 300 million drones are expected to be sold in the U.S., according to the Consumer Technology Association.

Smart Home 1.0 to 2.0

When Mark Zuckerberg wrote his new year's resolution was to build his own artificial intelligence powered smart home, it made me realize home automation is much more than just opening an app to turn the lights on; it meant living inside of a sentient, organism-like structure that would know your whims and would adjust itself to suit your preferences.

Today, home appliances for the masses are becoming smarter. Let’s take light bulbs for instance. Pretty basic necessity that many of us take for granted until one blows out and we keep forgetting to replace it until the millionth time we’ve flipped the switch and we’re still in the dark. Light bulbs evolved from soft white to energy efficient and LED – and thanks to Sengled’s bright idea, light bulbs are now so intelligent they can alert you of intruders or crying baby, and even scour the Web – all while doubling as a wireless speaker. Other smart examples include the Ambi Climate IoT device which learns your comfort and automatically adjusts your AC temperature you like to come home to.

Wearables Beyond Smartwatches

Obviously, fitness trackers are bucking this trend. In 2013, Fitbit was the big name in the game, with a few devices by Nike, MOOV and Atlas thrown in for good measure. Perhaps the big push—and surprise—in the wearables this year was that they are moving away from the wrist. Pioneers like the Fitbit tracker, Jawbone wristbands are still on the cutting edge of wearable technology, but there was also a major shift towards wearable clothing and more design-minded items.

One exciting new wearable that branches out into other, non-wrist-worn form comes from Samsung. Their Samsung Body Compass measures a myriad of things including fat levels and stance. There's also the Samsung Welt, a wellness belt that comes with sensors to track your waistline, eating habits, steps taken, and sedentary periods, all while being able to give wiggle room during a heavy meal. Under Armour also answered this call by unveiling the Gemini 2 Record-Equipped sneakers, which is the world’s first sneaker that tracks your workout data while it’s happening, without the need for a smartphone.

The IDC Forecast predicts that 111.1 million wearables will be sold this year, with smartwatches and fitness trackers making up the bulk of the sales. In 2019, the number is a projected 214.6 million units shipped worldwide.

3D Printing Makes Generational Leap

Three years ago, the entire world was both astounded and delighted by the concept of 3D printing. Just imagine, you first design a 3D computer image and then, after uploading the file, you watch as your toys, tools or kitchen utensil comes to life … in slightly less than a few hours.

3D printing is everywhere now. According to the Semiannual 3D Printing Spending Guide by IDC, a global market is expected to balloon to $26.7 bil. by 2019. This year, consumer-level 3D printers will move closer to the status of “necessary household gadget,” while professional-level machines, which can print metal parts, will start changing entire industries.

And fortunately, 3D printers are also getting smaller too, making it easier to place on a counter top in the home. How can a family use a 3D printer? There is a vast array of 3D product “recipes” available on the Internet. Need a new phone case? Just print one out. Lost the Ace to your favorite poker cards? Print one!

AndiamoOpen BionicsAnd don’t forget about 3D printed materials and new applications of 3D printing technology which are also growing at a spectacular rate. This growth has also seen a rise in businesses capitalizing on the technology in order to create ‘social good’. For example, London start-up has gone so far as to develop affordable 3D-printed bionic, prosthetic hands. These bionic hands can be created in under 48 hours, cost less than £1,000. has invented 3D-printed orthotics for young people, while Bristol start-up

Conclusion

When you look over these radical old concepts, one fact remains true. None of these once and future tech trends went away. They're still out there cooking. That's not surprising, and it's probably the right call but it can be a little boring in a business that doesn't like to look back.

Are we missing out any hot devices? Tell us all about it in the comments section below.