Technology touches all parts of our lives — from accessing your desktop anywhere to ordering laundry detergent through Amazon Dash buttons. Phones are exploding, social media heavily influenced the presidential election, and people now have the capability to order groceries through a speaker. So, can technology even get more ubiquitous? Yes. Between the good, the bad, and the ugly, it seems that each year presents us with more technological excitement than the last. 2017 will be no exception; from the workplace to the swimming pool, here are the top 5 technology trends for which you should brace yourself in the next year.
One: Microsoft Picks up the Slack
Collaborative software isn’t new news, but the demand for it in the workplace will be higher than ever in 2017. Because the newest generation in the workforce quite literally grew up using technology to communicate (i.e. instant messaging, group texting, social media), they expect instantaneous collaboration in every area of life — including work. This year, we go beyond interoffice instant messenger systems. At my company, for instance, we utilize a collaborative software called Slack. The software allows us to avoid lengthy e-mail chains and collaborate on projects in real time, while giving us the option to come in and out of conversations as we please. In short, Slack is the work equivalent of social media. Use of such software is already on the rise; Slack grew from 1.25 users to 4 million users in just one year, according to Fortune. I have an inkling that those numbers will skyrocket in 2017 as similar products enter the market. In fact, Microsoft recently released Microsoft Teams, their self-proclaimed “Slack Killer.” Microsoft Teams is included as a beta product in their Office 365 product subscription which is currently used by 85 million people. The collaboration tool promises all that Slack has to offer and more. So, whether it be Slack, Microsoft, or a third-party contender, it’s going to be a mad dash to see who can capture the hearts of the collaboration generation first. Regardless, it’s undeniable that the workplace will benefit from these technology advancements in the new year.
Two: Not Just Time on Our Hands
Wearable technology will step up its game in 2017 with the next round of updated watches coming from Apple and Samsung. It seems that Apple is trying to drown the competition by upgrading on all of the features of the first-generation Apple Watch and adding some new trademarks to the new Apple Watch Series 2. For example, along with being waterproof, the new model can also recognize four different types of swim strokes and use GPS without a phone being present. I believe that Apple has now narrowed its target watch market to users who will spend between $300 and $690 on this type of wearable device, and so is honing in on the features this market desires (screen refinements, better heart rate monitoring, etc.). On the other hand, Samsung recently launched its Gear 3 which seems to specifically hit on attributes the Apple Watch doesn’t have. The S3 is not waterproof (it is water resistant), but brings a classic look, compatibility with all Android phones, and built in cellular voice and data. In addition, according to the International Business Times, LG will be releasing four smart watches in 2017 that they believe will rival Apple and Samsung’s new models. All in all, wearables have certainly come a long way in their short lifespan. While they have been previously adored mostly by tech-savvy early adopters and fitness junkies, this could be the year that the average Joe joins the fan club with more options on the market.
Three: Virtual Desktops for Virtually Everyone
It wasn’t that long ago that no one really understood what the nebulous “cloud” was. What started out as tech talk has since turned into a tool that virtually everyone uses to store information. The cloud computing marketplace has matured; with maturity comes smarter innovations. Almost every organization has some part of their operations in the cloud — from email to files to backup and more. In 2017 we’re going to begin to see the virtual desktop — essentially an entire computer that lives in the cloud — gain more traction. According to market research company Technavio, the global virtual desktop infrastructure market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 11.31 percent during the period 2016-2020. With a virtual desktop infrastructure, one can access anything on their computer from any device and any location at any time. It is a unifying computing experience, perfect for organizations with a distributed workforce. There’s simply no better solution for maximizing productivity and creating a seamless user experience for employees everywhere.
Four: What the Hack
Since the onset of internet decades ago, there has not been one year in which people have felt more secure than they did the year before — and rightly so. As technology advances, security becomes — and will continue to become — an increasingly prominent challenge. Throughout 2016, for example, hacks into the Democratic National Committee, Yahoo, Dropbox, LinkedIn, and Verizon were just a few of the high-profile security breaches that grabbed headlines. Now, the intensity of the security discussion is compounded by the uncertainty within the leadership of our country. It’s not an issue that will fall off of technology trends any time in the near future, and I predict that that organizations of all sizes will begin to take their security more seriously in the new year. Organizations are coming to terms with the fact that cybersecurity is separate from operational IT and should be treated as such (i.e., separate budget line items). We will continue to see ongoing progress of existing technology to combat cyber-attacks, but hackers’ success is much more dependent on actions taken by users rather than technology gaps. Smart companies will prioritize educating their employees in 2017 on how to identify potential risks such as phishing attacks, social engineering, and ransomware. Technology is only going to become more integrated into our daily lives, and with that, so will the chance of being hacked. Cybersecurity literacy will play a major role across all industries in the coming year.
Five: Cutting the Cord
With the release of the iPhone 7, the buzz has been all about the buds. The elimination of the headphone jack on the new iPhone is a topic of contention, but no matter which side you’re on, one thing is for sure — 2017 will mark the year of wireless audio. Only Apple, with its massive influence, can redefine a market and kill current audio standards. Of course, Apple did not invent wireless headphones, but they have certainly accelerated the arrival of the technology in the mainstream. The 3.5mm headphone jack, which has been an industry standard since the dawn of smart phones, will become a thing of the past sooner than you may think. Besides burning the bridge, Apple is also leading the charge with its wireless Airpods. Many audio companies are following suit, and also plan to provide significant improvement in our ability to connect and use these devices in 2017.
Last Word
Buckle up; 2017 promises to be quite a ride. Competition will foster creative reconceptualization, collaboration and efficiency will improve within the workplace, and organizations will realize that cybersecurity goes beyond traditional IT. Consumers and companies are likely to embrace some of these trends with open arms, while others will continue to see pushback. One thing is for certain, though — whether you’re a computer programmer, a business owner, or someone who just likes to tinker on your phone, your life will be touched by new technology in 2017. Ready or not, here it comes.
Heinan Landa is the CEO and Founder of Optimal Networks, Inc., a Rockville-based IT company that works with CEOs to provide strategic IT consulting. In addition to offering comprehensive IT support and management, Optimal Networks provides Fractional CIO services to help organizations navigate the ever-changing tech landscape and make sure their technology supports business goals. For more,www.optimalnetworks.com, 240-499-7900, or info@optimalnetworks.com.