2018 was an interesting year for technology. This year, data protection and privacy got more attention than ever before. It was this year (2018) that EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) reshaped the way companies collect and handle data. We also saw a great improvement in Artificial intelligence and increased adoption of technology in making crucial business decisions.
Without a doubt, 2019 is going to be bigger. Sixty years ago, Gordon Moore, the man who co-founded Intel predicted that computing abilities would radically increase in power over time while decreasing in cost. This isn’t just a prediction anymore, we are going to see this in reality as we enter 2019.
As we approach 2019, big and new tech companies around the world are unveiling their plans for the newest innovations in the field. It is important you pay attention as a consumer and more importantly, as a brand. As we saw in 2018, events in the tech industry are likely to affect your business irrespective of your industry. Technology is becoming very crucial in business, health, agriculture, education, and manufacturing.
What does this mean for you? It means you need to keep your eyes on the technology trends. This will help you know how to improve your business leveraging these technologies. Fortunately, you don’t have to wait for 2019 as we have rounded up the top technology trends to watch out for in 2019. Keep on reading to find out more:
Top 7 Technology Trends to Watch Out For in 2019
1. Artificial Intelligence (AI)
According to PwC estimates, artificial intelligence could add $15.7 trillion to global GDP by 2030. Thus, there is a rat race by top companies to develop revolutionary AI. China Bytedance has already invested $3.1 billion in AI while over 15 US companies have an investment of over $1 billion each in AI.
AI has been around since 1956 but experts believe that 2019 is the year AI will have its biggest domineering influence in our daily lives as companies deployed AI to improve cybersecurity. In 2019, expect AI’s to schedule trains, predict maintenance, treat patients in hospitals, and even do our chores at home. 2019 is going to be big for AI, now is a good time to start paying serious attention to this industry.
2. Smartphones Get Smarter
If you think your smartphone can do awesome things, wait until 2019, your smartphone will become a phenomenal tool to achieve lots of tasks easily. Chips from giant chip-makers such as Qualcomm and Huawei already include revolutionary AI capabilities and Machine Learning features.
It is possible that in 2019, the virtual assistant in your smartphone can be able to determine your needs in advance and act accordingly with no input from you. There will also be more AI-enhanced security in smartphones and more features that will make your smartphone more than just a smartphone.
As smartphones continues to change the way we use them in daily life and in business, there are plenty of online and mobile-based application that help with time and task management as well. Businesses and executives are now focusing more time and resources on compliance scheduling and employee scheduling, as there is now less of a need for manual focus on these areas. With online, mobile, and cloud-based scheduling solutions, not only are mobile devices getting smarter and more effective, but so are the brands and individuals who decide to use them to increase productivity.
3. 5G Connectivity
Don’t get too caught up on the 4G, there is a new kid on the block. Soon enough, 5G will take over the place of 4G with some big changes. 4G relied on high powered cellular towers but this won’t be the case with 5G. Instead, it will use low-powered cells distributed in a broader area to achieve incredible faster speeds.
Competition has already reached its peak on the 5G global stage. International 5G activity is growing at a fever pitch. South Korea, China, Japan, and then later United States are expected to be the one that will be at the forefront in the use of the 5G network. South Korea has already concluded a trial of 5G network and ready to roll it out in 2019. Other countries like China, Japan, and the United States are expected to follow them closely.
5G network is expected to play a crucial role in increasing interconnectivity and many more.
4. Cross-Platform Mobile Development (Progressive Web Apps)
Watch out for cross-platform mobile development in 2019. In 2018, developers are already turning to frameworks such as Reach Native, NativeScript, and even Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) for cross-platform mobile development.
The great thing with PWAs is that it enables mobile websites to work like apps. It will have the same interface as your app. The only difference is that you don’t have to download them. PWAs will help you to load apps faster, reduce mobile data usage, and save valuable memory space.
According to Michael Facemire, principal analyst at Forrester Research Cambridge, PWAs are likely to become the new standard for mobile app development in 2019. Developers love the idea of cross-platform mobile development and are keying into this idea on daily basis. Users will see just a little difference in the app interface.
Once apple support PWAs on Safari, we will see more cross-platform mobile development in 2019.
5. Blockchain Goes Mainstream
Blockchain isn’t just about Bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies. This technology offers security that is useful in so many other ways. Blockchain technology can also be deployed for use in banking, health, and even education. Experts predict that 2019 will be the year that blockchain operations will become mainstream.
A survey by the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance showed that 40% of banks surveyed believe blockchain will be a staple of finances within the next decade. Also, a good 20% of them confirmed they would deploy some form of blockchain technology for their operation next year.
Similarly, the United Kingdom Central Bank recently made an announcement that the apex bank will adopt blockchain technology in their interbank transactions as a means to strengthen their security systems. Indeed, there is no doubt that 2019 is going to be very massive for blockchain technology.
6. Chatbots Join the Family
2019 will see a huge growth of voice-controlled chatbots. Not only can we control our smartphones with voice but a lot of other devices at homes as well. Of course, a lot of work still needs to be done to improve them but we believe that as they advance, we can expect to see more chatbots helping us in our homes in 2019 than ever before. Some experts even predict that chatbots will be among the top holiday wish lists in 2019.
7. Machine Learning Deployed For Cyber Security
Cybersecurity got a lot of attention in 2018 and this is expected to continue in 2019. Cybersecurity, no doubt, will once again be at the forefront of tech trends in 2019.
Machine Learning is a subset of AI (Artificial intelligence). Using machine learning, a computer can be programmed to learn to do something they are not programmed to do. They can do this by discovering patterns and insights from data.
In 2018 alone, about 87% of cybersecurity professionals use Machine Learning to secure their network against threats. This will continue into a total adoption in 2019. The Machine Learning market is expected to grow to $8.81 billion by 2022. LinkedIn also ranked Machine Learning among top emerging jobs. For companies interested in the tech industry, now is the time to hire experts in Machine Learning before the competition gets fierce.
Conclusion
Learning and understanding mobile and technology trends for 2019 well ahead of time will help your brand to stay ahead of the competition. Without a doubt, technology will become more important than ever in 2019. Businesses will deploy tech in creating brand awareness, value creation, advertising, research, and revenue generation. Note that these 7 technologies mentioned above aren’t necessarily the only technology to watch out for in 2019. However, we believed that these will be the game-changers in 2019.
Are you ready for the change?