5 Tech Trends to Look for in 2016

The New Year is just around the corner, and tech gurus are making their guesses as to which trends will become realized in 2016. While we can’t always be certain which trends will stick and which ones will be a passing fad, we can agree on one thing: technology keeps moving forward. In fact, some worry that it’s moving so fast, we may be faced with more glitches in software because products are rushed out so quickly.

For now, here are five technology trends that are predicted for 2016.

Trend #1: 5G

Get ready for some crazy-fast speeds, even by today’s standards. According to some tests by Samsung, the 5G network is estimated to have speeds of 7.5 Gbps. Verizon is the first to field-test this technology and will begin testing in the next year. Many in the industry had predicted that this technology would become available around 2020, but it’s looking like it will hit by 2017. Get ready for a new tech revolution by next year.

Trend #2: Virtual Reality

Virtual reality technologies are going to emerge in 2016 thanks to their ability to deliver function, reliability and ease of use. VR technology is popping up all over the place. For instance, studios are partnering with VR vendors to bring content to the public. News organizations are working with vendors to bring immersive experiences into people’s homes. The gaming and entertainment industries also have plenty to gain. As people crave more interactive experiences, virtual reality will become more commonplace.

Trend #3: Bots

Bots are software applications that run automated tasks. As we head into 2016, we can expect to see a wide range of new bots that are designed to enhance productivity, keep us company and even keep tabs on what others are doing. A new feature is the freedom to use and program the software yourself, such as with Microsoft’s experimental Mandarin-language bot.

Trend #4: Glitches

While no one particularly cares for glitches, they aren’t an argument against technology. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to predict glitches in advance. It’s not until the software is rolled out and people start using it in different ways that glitches are seen. As we have more and more technology rolled out to us, glitches are going to become more prevalent. Plus, newer technology isn’t being tested like it once was, so it’s coming online very quickly and with possible hitches along the way.

Trend #5: Personality Detection

There are algorithms out there for just about everything, and one of them can detect your personality. This is important for certain industries such as financial lenders and insurance carriers. Why? Because learning about a person’s personality – their magazine subscriptions, their interests, the photos they post to social media – tells them a lot about who a person is and if they’re a liability. Even some companies will begin using algorithmic personality detection to predict a potential hire’s future performance.

We feel good about 2016 when it comes to technology. What are you most excited for?

Sources: Harvard Business Review; IEEE Computer Society

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