Computer technology breakthroughs in 2014 & 2015

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Major developments in 2014

There were major desktop/laptop/monitor and portable device breakthroughs in 2014. Though products incorporating those innovations remain expensive and are not widely available, they will become standard over time.

Highlights–

5K displays with twice the resolution of a 4K display and seven times the resolution of a standard 1080p monitor–the Retina iMac ($2500) being the first product release;

More powerful memory (DDR4 RAM speeds up gaming and apps);

Wire-free Virtual Reality (VR) was introduced with the Samsung Gear VR (Oculus Rift has received widespread publicity for their yet-to-be-released, much anticipated, 2015 VR product launch);

New routers with twice the transfer speed of previous models;

New generation USB Type-C ports and connectors that work on most devices, with much faster device charging, e.g.;

AMD 5GHz Intel 4GHz chips (Breaking above 4GHz was historic); and

Thinner, lighter laptops with longer battery life were introduced, trends that will accelerate in 2015.

Wireless Technology Will Define 2015 Digital Tech

Expect chipmaker Intel to move beyond the prototype stage with its revolutionary ‘no port laptop’ that uses advanced wireless technology to connect with monitor(s) and external storage devices.

The Benefits of Completely Wireless Laptops–

  • The elimination of expensive HDMI and other cables.

    A wireless monitor will engage when the laptop is within a specific physical range. This will have immediate use in business training and meetings, for example, allowing a trainer /leader’s computer to stream to those of participants. The technology behind this: WiGig, a faster version of Wi-Fi that can transmit wireless 4K video streams directly from a computer, smartphone, tablet or wireless TV. Expect to see WiGig technologies integrated into monitors and TVs in the years ahead.

  • Wireless charging.

    Imagine the convenience of wirelessly charging your portable devices. Intel is working on Rezence magnetic resonance wireless charging technology that employ Wi-Fi type ‘charging bases’ (tables) in public locations like airports and cafes. A 2015 release is probable, but not definite. Laptop wireless charging capability will follow.

Other developments–

  • Interactive computers

    As gesture, voice and visual recognition technologies are introduced, computers will become increasingly interactive. A key component of this will be Intel’s RealSense 3D Camera, which will recognize objects and their exact locations. Among other things, it will also allow hands-free, interactive gaming and enhance Skype communication. In the longer term, Intel plans to combine visual, voice and other inputs for AI-enhanced responses to our changing emotions, needs and preferences.

  • More Widespread Use of Biometric Technology

    If you have a series 5 or 6 iPhone 5 or a Lenovo Thinkpad T430 laptop–you are already using a fingerprint biometric sensor. By the end of this year, Intel plans to offer biometric login authentication software to improve security, reliability and eliminate the need for passwords when logging on to websites.

When Microsoft’s Windows 10 OS replaces Windows 8 later this year, look for it to accommodate many of the above new technologies.