Technology is a huge part of our lives and new gadgets are always coming out.
Not all of them prove to be big hits but a quick glance around our homes shows just how much we rely on the latest technology.
Here are some of the latest technological innovations that are 100 per cent here to stay.
Virtual assistant AI technology
Most people in the developed world now own a smartphone and they are all equipped with virtual assistant AI technology, which is in place to try to make our lives a bit simpler. Siri by Apple proved to be a game-changer when it came out a few years ago and others have followed suit, with the Google Assistant in place on Android devices. Amazon has also joined the party with its virtual assistant AI technology Alexa, which has been included in a range of smart home devices that are sold by the online retail giant
There were some initial privacy concerns about using virtual assistant AI technology with some people worried about how much data was being collected by these technology firms. But those concerns appear to have receded into the background with people realising how handy it can be to have a virtual assistant in their pocket or in their home. It almost seems a lifetime ago that film director Spike Jonze and actor Joaquin Phoenix lampooned the rise of virtual assistant AI technology in their critically acclaimed movie Her.
In the 2013 film, a lonely writer played by Phoenix falls in love with an AI character played by Scarlett Johansson but the influence of Alexa, Siri and the rest has not been as pervasive.
Super fast internet
Internet speeds continue to increase around the world, which is necessary given how reliant people are these days on the world wide web. A huge spike in remote working has happened over the course of the last 12 months, with people doing their jobs from their homes rather than heading into the office. This means stable, fast internet connections are now a must, especially as so much of our personal lives is happening through the internet too.
Socialising and gaming are two areas that increasingly take place online. The closure of many brick and mortar casinos means people who like gambling are also heading online more. The review site NoDepositKings.com told us about an increased interest in live casino gaming, with everything from roulette and blackjack to Monopoly and Deal Or No Deal offered online. Anyone who wants to play casino games online needs to make sure that their internet is up to the task – it would be terrible to lose connection in the middle of a poker tournament.
The release of new consoles the PS5 and Xbox Series X has also led to more gaming, much of which is online as players take on their friends through the internet. And using video conferencing apps like Zoom and Skype has become the key way to keep up with friends and family that people might be unable to see in person right now. Rural areas continue to struggle with super fast internet so this is an area where there still needs to be some work, with catching up to urban population centres required.
Checking out the best mobile Wi-Fi hotspots on Amazon for 2021 could be a good idea for those who want to level up their internet while they wait for 5G internet to become more common.
Robotics
Films set in the future often feature robots that have become a big part of daily life. This has not quite happened yet, but there are signs that the next few years could be huge for the world of robotics. Many people already have a robot vacuum cleaner, which saves them a lot of time on cleaning the floors in their homes, but this is just the first step in the development of home robotics. Home robotics can all be used for education, entertainment or therapy and the development of this technology is very exciting indeed.
Animal-free meat
Veganism is becoming a lot more popular around the world. It is becoming easier than ever to be a vegan, particularly because of the rise in animal-free meat. Lab-grown burgers can now be purchased in normal shops having broken through into the mainstream over the course of the last couple of years. This is partly due to the fact the cost of synthetic meat has dropped by a significant amount since it was first on the market.
Plant-based diets are only going to rise as people become more attuned to the impact on the planet of rearing and eating animals. It is even expected that 3D printed food could be on the menu in the near future, so technology is going to have a big impact on what we eat.