3D printing, drones and AR glasses before the breakthrough
The year of tech 2012 was a year of change, subtle in some ways but obvious in others. For a long time, Microsoft was the focus, because with Windows 8, the Redmond company has finally arrived in the touch age. The industry has long been working on the next revolution with new display and input options from Google's augmented reality glasses "Project Glass" to gesture control. It is questionable whether Apple will be a pioneer again - without the radiant figurehead Steve Jobs, the company would have lost some of its luster. What is certain is that new technologies will conquer everyday life. 3D printing, for example, is about to become a billion-dollar market, while robo-drones have long since conquered the world not only as military spies.
New era for Windows and Apple
A new era has dawned in the PC sector, because Microsoft has ushered in the farewell to the classic desktop with Windows 8 and has fully reconsidered the possibilities of touch control. Long before the start in October, Windows 8 caused a lot of discussion, because critics think that turning away from the desktop goes too far, especially with a view to companies. Microsoft of course hopes to shake up the tablet market thanks to the new operating system and its own hardware - but only really in 2013, when the apparently somewhat popular Surface RT with ARM processor is joined by the Surface Pro as a real x86 tablet with full Windows 8.
Tablet pioneer Apple, however, started the first calendar year without the leadership of long-time helmsman Steve Jobs. As early as March with the new iPad it became clear that the seas for the group are now getting rougher - due to criticism of technical problems as well as observers who missed something really revolutionary. The signs were right on storm with the iPhone 5, presented by Apple as a "real jewel". Because it brought no surprises and the media echo was hard - Wired even called the device "absolutely boring". In addition, Apple Maps came with iOS 6, a competitor to Google's map service, which has only made a name for itself through many mistakes. But despite everything, the Apple ship remained on the road to success, loyal disciples also helped the iPhone 5 to a record start.
Computer malware at a glance
However, given the profits of the "Flashback" makers, it is finally clear that Macs are not safe from malware either. Yes, malware is actually available for every operating system, including exotics like FreeBSD. Most unwanted programs target Windows, but Android broke the ground in 2012. For Google's mobile operating system, there are already more malware threats than in 2006 for all platforms including Windows. It is estimated that more than half of all Android devices are not up to date. In short, smartphone and especially Android users should be just as careful as they are on the PC.
After we have finally all got used to smartphone displays and tablets, the next display revolution is already rolling towards us. With augmented reality glasses, not only Google (Project Glass) wants to bring information into the field of vision in a new way. Sporting goods manufacturer Oakley is also working on a model, as is the Japanese cell phone giant NTT DoCoMo. As far as input and operation are concerned, the signs are still on gesture control. Kinect-based approaches are common, whether for finger-accurate recognition or with a view to turning any surface into touchscreens. Another source of hope is mind control - whether for assistance systems, games or, with the Muse headband, also for the iPhone.
Technologies before the breakthrough
In 2012, it became apparent that some other future technologies would finally make a breakthrough in the direction of the mass market. In Japan, for example, the family photo 2.0 comes from the 3D printer as well as the next firearm from the US company Defense Distributed - yes, according to market researchers, 3D printing is on the way to becoming a billion-dollar market. The US electric car maker Tesla, on the other hand, has started to cover the US with fast-charging corridors on important long-haul routes - a step that should help electric cars finally gain a broader foothold.
In the meantime, drones are practically ubiquitous, and they are no longer just used as unmanned reconnaissance devices for the military. For the first time, a wave glider has crossed the Pacific autonomously and collected ecological data in the process. Drones should also be used for emergency communication networks and serve as food suppliers themselves. In Great Britain, on the other hand, there is even talk of whether unmanned aircraft could also be used in civil aviation.
Technology is everywhere
In any case, it is certain that technology now penetrates all aspects of life deeply. This applies to medicine, for example. A chip tablet intended for oral intake was approved for the first time in the USA. The associated potential surveillance problem is still relatively small compared to the fact that, according to a security expert, thanks to increasing networking with inadequate security measures, even mass murder is conceivable.
It is just as unpleasant that espionage tools are now part of everyday private life in the USA in order to monitor partners. But that's probably part of a world where there are gadgets for pretty much everything, right down to the printing of your personal web newspaper. After all, this year crowdfunding really took off as an opportunity to implement useful and entertaining gadgets. The palette ranges from the Android console Ouya to dancing iPhone docks to the e-paper watch. The latter holds the record for the most successful Kickstarter campaign so far - but who knows, maybe it will be dethroned by the next geeky-cool gadget in 2013.
(ck)
.