From device launches to a social media overhaul, it will be interesting to see how technology will evolve in the new year, Shubhangi Shah discovers.

Social media

One cannot help but start with social media, the technology that has left no one untouched. If 2022, with Twitter’s leadership review and continued push for Web3, is any indication, 2023 will be interesting.

The year 2022 saw the rise of apps like BeReal that help users to be more authentic. Since GenZs are big drivers of social media trends, there will be an increase in more such apps. Not only that, the type of content that will work will also be on the authentic rather than professional side, according to analysts.

After taking the reins at Twitter last year, CEO Elon Musk tweeted that he might bring back Vine, the now-defunct short-form video app that Twitter bought in 2013. There’s a bit of a surprise here, though. While short-form video has taken the internet by storm, 2023 will see a rise in long-form video, according to analysts.

Speaking of Twitter, the bluebird had a roller coaster ride late last year, and this trial-and-error approach is expected to get even more so this year.

Also Read: Elon Musk Says Twitter 2.0 Will Focus On Optimizing ‘Unrepentant User Minutes’ On Platform

While influencer marketing will continue to thrive, we may see an increase in e-commerce on social media.

The use of third-party cookies is expected to decrease. Google has announced that it will remove it from 2024. This will reduce companies’ access to browsing data.

If the rise of microblogging platforms like Mastodon is any indication, we could see a further rise in more decentralized social media platforms where the consumer is the boss and not billionaire technocrats.

In the social media space, one can’t fail to mention the metaverse that got a lot of traction after Facebook rebranded in 2021. Given their investments, we might phase out features on Facebook and Instagram to get people more excited about the metaverse. Despite the announcement over a year ago, we’ve yet to see Mark Zuckerberg’s vision of the metaverse.

gadget releases

New device launches always arouse interest, and this year there is also less chance of disappointment. Starting with Apple, the Cupertino-based company launched an affordable iPhone 5G alongside the iPhone 14 series. This year, it is expected to introduce the iPhone 15 series, along with the new 15-inch MacBook Air, Reality Pro headset, and a new MacBook Pro, according to reports.

After Apple, Samsung is probably the next one whose releases get a lot of attention. It is expected to introduce the Galaxy S23, which includes the Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23 Plus, and Galaxy S23 Ultra. Samsung, a leader in the foldable phone category, is also expected to launch successors to the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 4 phones.

Google, with the launch of the Pixel 7 series in India, is expected to launch the next iteration, the Pixel 8 series, this year. OnePlus 11 is also expected to hit the shelves this year.

Xiaomi, the leader in India in terms of market share, is expected to introduce its Xiaomi 13 series, which includes Xiaomi 13, Xiaomi 13 Pro and Xiaomi 13 Ultra smartphones.

The new year can also see some exciting laptop launches, many of which are in the foldable screen category. The wearables segment has a lot of traction in India and around the world. As a result, many companies have expanded to launch wearable devices. While local companies stand out in this segment, the long-awaited Apple Watch 9 series will be an interesting release. Samsung may also introduce its Galaxy Watch 6 and 6 Pro in August.

cyber security

The recent ransomware attack on All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, which brought the medical facility’s servers to a standstill for two weeks, has drawn much attention to the need for cybersecurity. Despite increased awareness, the threat of ransomware and phishing attacks will continue to loom.

The year 2022 saw the launch of 5G in India. Although much needed, the architecture is still new and needs a lot of research to understand any loopholes that might make it susceptible to cyberattacks. Coupled with the Internet of Things (IoT), it can open up new pathways for interconnected devices while increasing vulnerability to cyber threats and even software bugs. Here the role of manufacturers is crucial. They must ensure the manufacture of sophisticated 5G hardware and software that makes them less susceptible to data breaches.

Until companies pay enough attention, data breaches may be cause for concern. Although many organizations are now established in the cloud, security measures need to be updated and verified to prevent threats.

Since smartphones allow users a plethora of functions, from financial transactions to social networking and messaging, they are also not immune to cyberattacks. Not only that, with our lives becoming more intertwined with this handheld device, which also has a large amount of data, the susceptibility of phones to malware and viruses may become a trend in 2023, according to analysts.

The last but prominent one is artificial intelligence (AI). This technology, along with machine learning, has helped with personalization, weather forecasting, and even creating automatic threat detection. But at the same time, it is also used to develop malware and other threats that can bypass all security protocols that protect data. With the biggest push towards AI and a lot of innovation in this space, how this same technology is used to cause cyber threats is a space to watch.

web3.0

Metaverse is just one of many elements of Web 3.0, the next stage in the evolution of the Internet. The central idea is that of a decentralized Internet controlled by consumers, not by some Internet companies.

Despite being a journey with several technical problems, this space is expected to grow.

First up comes Metaverse, which is expected to see innovations in various sectors. “Metaverse will find an application in all major sectors, including education,” says Sharad Mehra, Managing Director, APAC Region, Global University Systems. Not only that, as several big brands have jumped into this space, either just to test the waters or be first in this race, the advertising and marketing from them is expected to propel Metaverse into the mainstream.

However, there are some concerns. Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are the mainstays of the metaverse. Despite enough hype, the number of VR and AR deals in 2022 dropped from 311 ($18.9 billion) in 2021 to 283 ($5 billion) this year, according to a Deloitte report. Although this drop in investment could indicate a decline in interest in the metaverse, it is still too early to question the overall future of this technology.

As for cryptocurrency, it would not be an exaggeration to say that it was a total meltdown in this space last year. From a massive drop in token prices to the closure of several crypto companies, and the death knell being the collapse of FTX, the year saw it all. However, the digital currency continues to dominate traction, but with these recent cases, we may see more stringent regulations. At the same time, meme cryptocurrencies could keep coming and going.

Also Read: How Hackers Use Google Ads to Target Unsuspecting Users Searching for Popular Software Online

The other emerging trends include DeFi, short for decentralized finance, and DAOs, or Decentralized Autonomous Organizations.

Central bank digital currency (CBDC) could also rise in rank with more countries exploring 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 domain of digital art.

An interesting and positive development is towards the greening of Web 3.0. Last year, Ethereum, one of the largest blockchains, switched from a proof-of-work algorithm to a proof-of-stake algorithm, which reportedly reduces the total power requirement by about 98%. Given the fact that cryptocurrencies are big polluters, more companies going the green path will be a welcome approach.