It’s always fun to begin the year looking into the crystal ball of tech and revealing the year’s most anticipated trends. Some are already hits among tech fans all over the world. Here are my picks for the hottest tech trends this year:
YikeBike and AirWheel
Image credit: www.engadget.com
YikeBike, the electric bicycle brand, has already turned heads in Europe. Some say this might be THE solution to traffic congestion in cities (especially Kuala Lumpur) with it being an ideal alternative to urban transportation. The bike can reach a maximum speed of 25kmh, using only 1kW of battery power.
Since the model is operated by energy-saving electric power from pedalling, it is suitable for students or employees for short journeys.
Despite being equipped with 20-inch tires it can still be easily folded in just 15 seconds before being bundled into a car or a bus.
If the cycling trend continues this year, the YikeBike or another unicycle product, AirWheel, is likely to set itself as a desired innovation in 2015.
Virtual keyboard for smartphone/tablet
Virtual keyboards like Brookstone are specifically designed for smartphones and tablets. They are widely seen to be able to drive innovation in a work environment.
These days, more people work away from their designated workspace. Such employees can benefit from Brookestone, a full virtual QWERTY keyboard that facilitates typing, yet is compact enough to be used as a key chain and connects to your computing device via Bluetooth.
This product will be available in the market some time this year. If the price drops to less than RM200 and has a long battery life, you’ll begin to see them snapped up in no time.
GoPro
The new version of GoPro cameras is one of the most awaited products this year. The current model, HERO4 – which comes in two versions namely Black and Silver- has a competitive price tag and technological features. You can say that it’s winning more than a couple of hearts.
It also has 4K-definition video recording with 30fps and offers magazine quality images as well as WiFi connectivity to a mobile app.
Compact action camera has become trend in 2014 but it has not really taken off as quickly as expected; product range was still limited then. But this year, such gadgets will increase in popularity when more tech companies introduce their own models.
Drones
Although drones or Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) are already popular in both air defence and warfare, a few brave tech companies have developed the technology to suit commercial applications and benefit mass consumers.
It is likely that very soon, spotting hobbyists using drones with camera equipment to capture panoramic views from the air will be an every day thing.
Samsung Gear VR
Samsung Gear VR, which is powered by technology from Oculus – the virtual reality device maker – might be yet another product set to trend in 2015.
Gear VR uses the 5.7-inches Quad HD Super AMOLED screen on the Galaxy Note 4. With Gear VR, users can enjoy virtual action video at an angle of 360 degrees in 3D and enjoy PC games like never before.
Not just Samsung, but more third party manufacturers are like to begin producing similar products that can accommodate any smartphone to play games.
