2014 has been a great year for mobile technology, and 2015 seems like it will continue that trend. As we move away from static work stations and use portable devices such as smartphones and tablets, the world has had to move with us. Emailing and web conferencing are just two things that we can now do just as effectively from our mobile devices as we did at a desk. Outside of work, we are using mobile technology in ever more creative ways too. So what exactly do the next twelve months have in store for us? Well, a lot would be the correct answer!
Mobile payments
It’s been something that has failed to really take off in recent years, so it’s good to hear that 2015 could be the year that mobile payments reach a crucial ‘tipping point‘. More and more people are using the tapping system to pay for small transactions with their credit or debit card – so it seems only a matter of time before they start to use their phones to do it instead. As more businesses acquire the technology to do so and phone companies work with the banks to make the transactions as secure as possible, we could be seeing as many as 1 in 20 smart phone users paying via their phone by the end of the year.
Even higher definition
We’ve seen it in cinemas and on television, and 2015 could be the year that sees 4K (or ultra HD for the unaware) make the transition to mobile devices. As the screens on our phones and tablets get bigger, we’re already seeing high definition in the form of 2K. However, this year we’re expected to see a rush between manufacturers of who will be the first to deliver a mobile device in 4K. As we’re spending more and more time on these instead of in front of televisions, it seems like it’s only a matter of time.
Mobile innovations
Now for some slightly different forms of mobile tech, but just as exciting. The smartphone printer is what many users have been longing for, and it looks like it will finally arrive this year. As a slim dock that clips onto your phone, it doesn’t even need ink to print. Another is the 3D printing pen, which allows you to draw physical objects in mid-air. It’s going to be a hugely beneficial product for those who want to draw up prototypes without investing in an expensive 3D printer, and its small size means that it’s a truly mobile piece of technology.
It’s going to be an exciting 12 months
Of course there are other things to look forward to in 2015 too. The continued rise of wearable technology will be interesting to watch, as will the ongoing development of biometric security, which uses your own body to identify you. It often seems as if we can’t take our technology any further, that we’ve reached the peak. However, it seems as our tech gets smaller and more mobile, our appetite and creativity just keep getting bigger. So here’s to 2015, the year of tech discovery!
Featured images:
- License: Royalty Free or iStock source: http://pixabay.com/static/uploads/photo/2014/04/03/10/45/tablet-311350_640.png
Damian Coates is the Commercial Accounts Director for one of the leading IT support firms in London – Utilize IT Support.
