From the launch of gadgets to a social media overhaul, it will be interesting to see how technology evolves in the new year, finds Shubhangi Shah
social media
There’s no avoiding getting started with social media, the technology that hasn’t left a single human untouched. If 2022 is any indication with the overhaul of Twitter’s leadership and a continued push for Web3, 2023 will be interesting.
The year 2022 saw the rise of apps like BeReal that help users be more authentic. Given that GenZs are big drivers of social media trends, there will be more such apps. Additionally, the type of content that works will be on the authentic rather than professional side, according to analysts.
After CEO Elon Musk took over the reins of Twitter last year, he tweeted that he could bring back Vine, the now-defunct short-form video app Twitter bought in 2013. However, there is a small surprise here. While short videos have taken the internet by storm, analysts say long videos will increase in 2023.
Speaking of Twitter, the blue bird had a rollercoaster ride late last year, and that trial-and-error approach is expected to continue this year.
Also Read: According to Elon Musk, Twitter 2.0 will focus on optimizing “unrepented user minutes” on the platform
While influencer marketing will continue to thrive, we could see a surge in e-commerce on social media.
The use of third-party cookies is expected to decrease. Google has announced that it will be phased out by 2024. This restricts companies’ access to surfing data.
If the rise of microblogging platforms like Mastodon is any indication, we could see a further rise of such decentralized social media platforms where the consumer is the boss and not billionaire technocrats.
In the social media arena, one cannot help but mention the metaverse, which gained a lot of traction after Facebook’s rebranding in 2021. Given his investment, we could phase out features on Facebook and Instagram to get people more involved with the metaverse. Despite the announcement more than a year ago, we are yet to see Mark Zuckerberg’s vision of the metaverse.
Gadget is launched
New product launches always spark interest and this year there is less room for disappointment. Starting with Apple, the Cupertino-based company launched an affordable 5G iPhone along with the iPhone 14 series. This year, the iPhone 15 series is reportedly set to debut alongside the new 15-inch MacBook Air, Reality Pro headset, and a new MacBook Pro.
After Apple, Samsung is probably the next whose launches are attracting a lot of attention. The Galaxy S23 is expected to launch, which will include the Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23 Plus and Galaxy S23 Ultra. Samsung, leader in the foldable phone category, is also expected to launch the successors of the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 4 phones.
With the launch of the Pixel 7 series in India, Google is expected to launch the next iteration, the Pixel 8 series, later this year. OnePlus 11 is also expected to hit shelves this year.
Xiaomi, which is the leader in India in terms of market share, is expected to launch its Xiaomi 13 series, which includes the Xiaomi 13, Xiaomi 13 Pro and Xiaomi 13 Ultra smartphones.
There may also be some interesting laptops coming into the market in the new year, many of which are in the foldable display category. The wearables segment has gained a lot of traction in India and worldwide. As a result, many companies have expanded to bring wearable devices to market. While domestic companies play a big role in this segment, the expected Apple Watch 9 series will be an interesting launch. Samsung could also present its Galaxy Watch 6 and 6 Pro by August.
Internet security
The recent ransomware attack on the All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi, which shut down the medical institution’s servers for two weeks, has drawn much attention to the need for cybersecurity. Despite greater awareness, the threat of ransomware and phishing attacks will continue to loom.
The year 2022 saw the roll out of 5G in India. Although much needed, the architecture is still new and requires a lot of research to understand loopholes that could make it vulnerable to cyberattacks. Coupled with the Internet of Things (IoT), it can open up more avenues to connected devices while increasing vulnerability to cyber threats and even software bugs. Here the role of the manufacturer is crucial. They should ensure the manufacture of sophisticated 5G hardware and software that makes them less vulnerable to data breaches.
Unless companies pay enough attention, data breaches could be a cause for concern. Although many organizations are now established in the cloud, security measures need to be updated and reviewed to avoid threats.
Since smartphones offer users a variety of functions, from financial transactions to social media to messaging, they are not immune to cyberattacks either. Not only that, as our lives become more and more intertwined with this wearable device that also holds a huge amount of data, the malware and virus vulnerability of phones may become a trend in 2023, according to analysts.
The last but most prominent is artificial intelligence (AI). This technology coupled with machine learning has helped with personalization, weather forecasting, and even building automated threat detection. But at the same time, it is also used to create malware and other threats that can bypass the entire security protocols protecting the data. With the continued push towards AI and many innovations in the field, the way the same technology is used to create cyber threats is a space to follow.
Web3.0
Metaverse is just one of the many elements of Web 3.0, the next stage of Internet evolution. The core idea is that of a decentralized internet controlled by consumers, not some internet companies.
Despite being a journey with multiple mishaps, this space is expected to grow.
The first is Metaverse, which is expected to innovate across multiple sectors. “Metaverse will have applications in all major sectors including education,” said Sharad Mehra, CEO, APAC, Global University Systems. Not only that, given that several big brands have jumped into this space, whether just to test the waters or to be the first in this race, the promotion and marketing from them is expected to continue in Metaverse push the mainstream.
However, there are some concerns. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are the pillars of Metaverse. Despite enough fanfare, the number of VR and AR deals in 2022 fell from 311 ($18.9 billion) in 2021 to 283 ($5 billion) this year, according to a report by Deloitte emerges. While this drop in investment may indicate a drop in interest in the metaverse, it’s still too early to question the future of this technology altogether.
As for cryptocurrency, it would not be an exaggeration to say that there has been a complete collapse in this space over the past year. From a massive drop in token prices to the shutdown of several crypto companies to the death knell that was the FTX meltdown, the year saw it all. However, the digital currency has continued to gain traction, but with these recent cases, we could see tighter regulations. At the same time, meme cryptocurrencies could continue to appear and disappear.
Also Read: How Hackers Are Using Google Ads to Target Unsuspecting Users Searching for Popular Software Online
Other emerging trends include DeFi, short for decentralized finance, and DAOs, or decentralized autonomous organizations.
The central bank digital currency (CBDC) could also rise in rank as more countries explore the idea of ​​this digital currency. Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have also seen massive traction during the Covid pandemic. However, it has yet to grow beyond the realm of digital artwork.
An interesting and positive development is towards Greenifying Web 3.0. Last year, Ethereum, one of the largest blockchains, switched from a proof-of-work to a proof-of-stake algorithm, which is said to reduce overall power requirements by about 98%. Given that cryptocurrencies are big polluters, seeing more companies go green would be a welcome move.
