TechMunch: 4 Technology Predictions for 2016

Are you ready for 2016’s big technology trends? If you’ve been giving more thought to your office Christmas party than the world of technology, then we’ve got you covered. From wearables to big data we’ve got all you need to know about the big four trends that are set to shake up 2016.

4. Wearables break in to enterprise

Prepare yourself for an influx of wearable technology – it’s coming from every direction. IDTechEX have estimated that the wearable electronics market is set to power from a worth of $20 billion to almost $70 billion by 2025.

Wearables are branching out from the fitness buff and fashionista filled consumer market and are heading for workplaces across the globe. They have the ability to boost employee efficiency by providing real-time data access while freeing hands to hold tools and equipment. Doctors, mechanics and scaffolders will soon be able to watch displays, collaborate and connect through their devices to make quick and safe business decisions. 2016 will see wearables drive a new way of working.

3. IoT connects the dots

We already control our heating, monitor our health and organise our business at the swipe of a device – the Internet of Thing (IoT) has connected things that we once thought impossible. And there is more to come. Gartner has forecast that 6.4 billion connected things will be in use worldwide in 2016, up 30 percent from 2015. That means that a huge 5.5 million new things will get connected every single day.

‘The Year of the Connected Device’ is coming – and it’s set to open new revenue streams for businesses of all shapes and sizes who are ready to connect. That means that your tooth brush could be connected to your shopping list, fridge and personal trainer and maybe even your online dating app at some point next year.

2. Ride the big data wave

It has officially been announced, the sexiest job of the 21^st century is a Data Scientist. Really, it is. Harvard Business Review has predicted that 2016 will see the rise of Data Scientists combating and streamlining mountains of big business data. These scientists will turn big data to analytics and optimisation to benefit the bottom line.  Big data has been bubbling away for a while and 2016 will see business finally make real sense of it.

1. Get up close and personal with virtual reality

Holidays, social networking and parties have found a new venue – virtual reality (VR). It’s estimated that over 11 million people will be using VR by the end of 2016 – more than just the geeks and the gamers.

New streams of revenue will be opened for concerts, sport games and almost any experience that you can imagine. We will be able to tune in and live through our headsets. Instead of flicking through our friend’s holiday photos on Instagram, soon we will be getting up close and personal by looking around their 3D hotel with our feet firmly on the ground.

Virtual reality technology has been largely ignored – but 2016 is the time to take it seriously.

Stephanie Croucher, Graduate Trainee
@stephaniejfc