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With 2017 almost in the record books, it’s worth a review of the main topics as well as what we learned from them. Here’s a look at the seven trends identified by ZDNet editors and a crib sheet to the broader video discussion.
4. iPhone X: The future of the smartphone?
I just can’t stand any more black slab smartphones, and in 2018 we may finally see the back of them. Considering that most people (wisely) wrap their smartphones in a protective case it’s all but impossible to tell devices apart now. That’s a problem for smartphone makers because it’s hard for their model to stand out when all handsets look the same.
That’s why curved smartphones will start their march towards the mainstream this year. They might not offer a huge amount of additional utility, but they are the first step towards foldable devices, which will allow you to carry a much bigger screen in your pocket (even if those are still a way off). If curved screens become popular, that’s going to give Samsung, which has made much of the early running, a big boost.
After the iPhone X: Predicting the future of the smartphone | iPhone X: Sorry Apple, but I just can’t face using Face ID | CNET iPhone X review
In contrast it’s going to be a quiet year for Apple: after the big reveal of the iPhone X the 2018 devices are likely to be modest evolution rather than evolution. And vendors will also continue to push smartphone virtual reality and augmented reality and consumers will continue to ignore it.
5. Windows 10 S …
Microsoft’s narrative no longer revolves around Windows. Let’s get real: Microsoft is all about cloud (Azure), Office and enterprise software ranging from Dynamics to Skype for Business and HoloLens. Windows who?!? Nevertheless, Microsoft rolled out the Windows 10 Creator’s Update and more importantly Windows S. Windows S is designed for ARM-powered PCs and represents a leap for Microsoft. Qualcomm is more than happy to go along for the ride with its Snapdragon processor.
Qualcomm and Microsoft rolled out Microsoft Windows S-powered hardware with partners Asus and HP. The core pitch is that these devices will run long and be always connected via LTE. For Microsoft, Windows S may represent the future of PCs, a more secure model and mainstream emulation. Now the next question revolves around whether Windows S devices sell.
A closer look at what Windows 10 S can and can’t do
6. Raspberry Pi: Long live the hobbyist
One of the most heartening trends this year has been the continued enthusiasm for making. This year the Raspberry Pi sales hit 15 million – an incredible number considering the team behind it only ever expected to sell 1,000. The desire to tinker and create was at the heart of the PC revolution (think of the Apple 1 assembled in Steve Jobs’ garage) long before PCs became sealed boxes that you meddle with at your peril.
Devices like the Pi and its many, many imitators have brought back the energy and creativity that hardware has been missing for a long time. As well as being simple good fun, devices like the Pi help to democratize technology again at a time when Big Tech is increasingly seen as arrogant and aloof.
What is the Raspberry Pi 3? Everything you need to know about the tiny, low-cost computer | Raspberry Pi supercomputer: Los Alamos to use 10,000 tiny boards to test software | TechRepublic: Raspberry Pi gift guide: The best choices for Christmas 2017 | Raspberry Pi 4: A specs wishlist for the next $35 computer
If the next generation understands what underpins the digital services that we all use, because they have a better idea of hardware and software engineering thanks to tinkering with maker boards and more, that will make them smarter and more demanding users, too.
7. It’s all AI now
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