Of course, we have all heard of Google Glass By integrating services such as Twitter with its \u201cNearby\u201d feature, and Apple with its \u201ciBeacon\u201d feature, you\u2019ll be able to tell who is tweeting down the street from you and who is buying something in the store across the road. You can walk into a pub or bar and know who\u2019s around you and how you\u2019re connected to them. Big Brother goes social!<\/p>\n The benefits of 3D to manufacturers is plain. Not only can they make cheap prototypes before going into production, but this means that any initial issues with the product can be ironed out without costing a fortune. Add to this how it could be used to visualize architectural designs, and even smart homes and cities, and 3D printing is definitely something we\u2019ll be seeing a lot more of in the future. This is especially true as prices are dropping swiftly, making the technology accessible to a much wider market.<\/p>\n![\"Google](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/Google_Glass_Explorer_Edition.jpg\" "\\"Google")
<\/a>So called \u201cSmartwear\u201d is already in in existence in the professional sports world, and we\u2019ll see it exploding onto the commercial scene in a big way in 2014. It\u2019s already around in limited ways \u2013 take Nike for example, whereby you can pair up your Nike Running Shoes with your iPod, set targets, monitor targets, set your running music choice, monitor your performance, and share with others via your laptop. We\u2019re talking about other items of smart apparel\u00a0too such as:<\/p>\n\n
<\/a>\u2013 the LEDs wired into the garment change color to fit your need<\/li>\n<\/a> \u2013 Monitors heartbeat, blood pressure and manages perspiration and body odor<\/li>\n<\/a> \u2013 Monitors calorie and nutrition intake, stress levels, sleep, and exercise<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/a> by now and this is due for release this year too. However, saying that, speculation surrounds the potential privacy issues around the project, especially given that it\u2019s rumored to be able to take a photo with the wink of an eye.<\/p>\n#2: Local Information Explosion<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Taking into account events such as location tracking, big data, and smart wearables, we\u2019re likely to see an explosion of the availability of live information regarding people, places and things happening in any localized area, so says the CEO of SocialRadar, Michael Chasen<\/a>.<\/p>\n#3: 3D Printing<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/a>In 2013, 3D printing remained on the edges of mainstream activity, but with some of the larger players, notably HP<\/a>, launching their own products in 2014, it is expected that this will lead to a greater uptake of industrial 3-D printing by many more businesses. The new breed of industrial printers produce better 3-D images, less expensive and faster, and it is expected that more businesses will at least prototype the new technology, leading to an even larger uptake possible in 2015.<\/p>\n#4: The Internet of Things<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/a>The Internet of things (IoT) is going to be one of the fastest-growing phenomenon as an industry over the next few years. While it will take some time to impact on people\u2019s private lives, industry will flock to take advantage of the IoT as soon as they possible can; especially in view of the immense power, and in return cost savings, that IoT technology can make available.<\/p>\n