Each year brings more and more different innovations. The current year is no exception and already boasts several remarkable novelties in the field of technology, which could only be dreamed of and read in fiction books a couple of years ago.
In this review, we will not talk about lots of unnecessary things, which are produced in dozens and hundreds by the designers and crowdfunding campaigns every month. We are talking about “popular” technologies, which have entered the market in 2017 and are comparable in scale and significance with 3D-printing that became trendy several years ago.
1. Digital economy
It is not the first year that the term “digital economy” is used by politicians and businessmen, but until recently the concept remained incredibly blurred. If to speak briefly and clearly, the digital economy is a set of solutions aimed at the introduction of digital technologies into the economy. Unlike the “analog” economy, “digital” economy massively uses cellular communications, the Internet and information technologies. The development of such economy in the state contributes to the emergence of a huge number of IT companies, the computerization of organizations and departments, as well as the development of “smart” technologies.
2. Blockchain
Everyone must have heard the term “blockchain” in the last two years. Specialists say that this technology is an important element of the digital economy of the future. The technology is still mysterious, but it looks the most promising one in the economic field. Initially, blockchain was used only by cryptocurrencies because their work is based on this principle, but now this situation is changing rapidly.
The essence of the technology is to create a distributed and well-protected database. It is available to all users at once and therefore is completely transparent. This technology stores any data that may need verification, whether it’s a loan, marriage registration or a violation of traffic rules.
The easiest way to imagine blockchain is a large virtual accounting book, each page of which stores only certain information. At the same time, every page of this “book” is stored by each user, constantly updated and compared with all other “pages”. If someone tries to change the data or “tear out the page”, the system will immediately notice it.
3. Cryptocurrencies and ICO
Bitcoin growth in recent years has drawn the great attention of the states to the problem of cryptocurrencies. Even today, opinions about digital money vary from expert to expert, from official to official. Many argue that cryptocurrencies are a financial pyramid, and therefore, they are dangerous and should be banned. Others point out that any other world currency, be it a dollar or a ruble, has long turned into “paper bitcoins”, since the gold standard is not used, and countries continually launch their printing press.
Until recently, special digital farms were created for obtaining bitcoins. Now the currency is increasingly promoted thanks to the promising ICO technology. This technology resembles crowdfunding and allows people to invest in enterprises through the purchase of a cryptocurrency at the organizer site.
4. Driverless electric transportation
Tesla’s tremendous success with an electric car led to the fact that even Apple has taken up the development of its own electric car. The funny thing is that Elon Musk’s enterprise is currently operating at a loss, but this does not prevent the investors from steadily supporting its projects. This happens because Elon was able to convince the whole world in one simple idea that the future of transportation is connected with driverless electric cars. The latest tests of Tesla Motors have shown that this is indeed the case.
5. Uberization
This term comes from the name of the Uber company, which was the first to do what is now being discussed. Uberization is the use of platforms for transactions that allow you to abandon traditional planning corporations. This approach can significantly reduce the cost of services for the customer.
The most vivid example of uberization today is the fact that the Swedish construction giant NCC has launched its own application. It is called Loop Rocks and is designed to bring together builders and buyers of soil, rubble and construction debris. This is another example of the digital economy.
Bonus: An additional reality
The additional reality, or AR, is not only a way of entertainment, it is also a powerful tool for business. With the help of this technology, you can completely change the training process, improve security in enterprises, and reach a new level in retail.
