2014 Tech Predictions

December 31, 2013 — by Per Christensson

2013 was another exciting year in technology. Several of my predictions came true, though some of my guesses were not especially accurate. Hopefully, my accuracy will improve for 2014. Here are my top five predictions for the coming year.

1. Apple iWatch – I believe Apple will NOT introduce the iWatch, or a wearable touchscreen watch in 2014. Why? Because it's a useless device.
2. Apple iPhone – Of course Apple will release a new iPhone in the next twelve months. But what will it look like? I think it will be larger (perhaps with a 5.5" screen) and will have a curved shape that fits more comfortably in your hand than the current model. I also think Apple may change their naming scheme. Instead of naming the new model "iPhone 6," Apple might name it something like "iPhone LS" for "large screen."
3. Bing – I think Bing will continue to gain ground in search engine market, thanks to increased adoption of Windows 8 and sales of Xbox One devices. I predict that by the end of 2014, Bing will power over 30% of searches in the U.S.
4. Cloud Storage – For the past few years, cloud computing has been all the rage for large businesses and organizations. However, it has not yet caught on with consumers. With all the different devices people are using now, I think a central cloud-based storage location for data would make a lot of sense. My guess is that 2014 will be the year where this idea becomes a reality.
5. 3D Printers – This technology seems like it's from the future, but like the Samsung slogan says, it's already here. I think 3D printers will make noticeable inroads into the consumer market in 2014, meaning you'll see models available at retail stores like Staples and Best Buy before the end of the year.

So those are my thoughts on 2014. If you have any technology-related predictions for 2014, please feel free to post them in the comments below.