Top 5 Tech trends that will dominate 2018

With just a few weeks into 2018 and following new innovations that were on display at the just-concluded Social Media Week in Lagos, tech lovers are starting to have a glance at the trends that will dominate ICT industry throughout the year. Irrespective of your preference for smart technologies or devices, one thing is certain: […]

With just a few weeks into 2018 and following new innovations that were on display at the just-concluded Social Media Week in Lagos, tech lovers are starting to have a glance at the trends that will dominate ICT industry throughout the year.

Irrespective of your preference for smart technologies or devices, one thing is certain: technology makes life easier to cope with everyday tasks.

A peep at what we’ve seen from announcements, ICT events, tech exhibitions and product launches so far reveals what we should expect in 2018. Below are top five trends in technology that will dominate the industry this year:

 

1. Digital convergence: In the last few years, we’ve seen the debut of many different types of devices, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and dozens of other “smart” appliances. We’ve also come to rely on lots of individual apps on our mobile phones in our daily lives, including those for navigation to even changing the temperature of our house.

Consumers are craving for more convenient way to manage everything from as few devices and central locations as possible. Smart speakers are a good step in the right direction, but 2018 may influence the rise of something even better.

 

2. 5G network: It seems like yesterday that 5G technologies were more of a theory discussed as a futuristic concept than a real-world thing. Though tech timelines rarely play out the way we think, it’s possible that we could have a 5G network in place—with 5G phones—by the end of 2019. 5G internet has the potential to be almost 10 times faster than 4G, making it even better than most home internet services, according to the Ericsson Mobility Report released in Novermber 2017.

Thus, it has the potential to revolutionize how consumers use internet and how developers think about apps and streaming content. 2018, then, is going to be a year of massive preparation for engineers, developers, and consumers, as they gear up for a new generation of internet.

 

3. Data consumption: By now, every company in the world has realized the awesome power and commoditization of consumer data, and in 2018, data consumption is going to be in higher demand. With consumers talking to smart speakers throughout their day, and relying on digital devices for most of their daily tasks, companies will soon have access to—and start using—practically unlimited amounts of personal data.

This has many implications, including reduced privacy, more personalized ads, and possibly more positive outcomes, such as better predictive algorithms in healthcare.

 

4. Slim Bezel Displays in smartphones: Normally it takes a couple of years for high-end technology to filter down to budget smartphones.

A bezel is the name of the frame around displays, like your TV or smartphone. TV and computer monitor manufacturers have long been shaving down these edges to offer frame-less designs.

Not with slim bezel displays, which have already begun appearing in lower-tier devices launched this year. With new 18:9 (2160 x 1080) panels, it’s easy for manufacturers to implement cost-effective tall displays in their entry-level products.

You can expect to see these sorts of displays in many phones across most product categories, from low-budget handsets to premium devices. Companies are eager to fall into line with the latest trends and hit up those marketing buzzwords: slim bezels and 18:9 displays are all the rage, so screen to body ratio will dominate discussion.

Companies that don’t use expansive displays or slim down their bezels may fail to capture the attention of consumers after the best viewing experience.

ZTE and Nokia headlined the slim-bezel brigade with their mid-tier Blade V9 and 7 Plus handsets respectively, both of which use 18:9 displays. Similarly, Sony slimmed down their bezels for the first time ever with the Xperia XZ2…and the list goes on.

Where phones with slim bezel displays stood out from the pack last year, in 2018 those without will be the odd ones.

 

5. Flying Cars: Get ready to throw out the conventional road safety rule book. You might not have to check skywards just yet when you cross the road, but flying cars are getting ready to ruffle some feathers.

Numerous competitors laid the groundwork in 2017, testing their flying vehicle models, with more expected in 2018. Expect more buzz worthy investments as awareness becomes more widespread about flying cars.

 

Regardless of how you feel about technology, or your primary motivations for using ICT, get set for more excitements as new gadgets await us throughout 2018.