Whether you like it or not, one tech trend that we're all sick of — artificial intelligence (AI) and machine-learning (ML) — will continue to propagate our lives throughout 2024. That being said, all that we ask is that the AI trailblazers are more mindful about how AI is incorporated into our society.
For example, do we really need AI for an indoor security camera? Probably not. However, AI would be welcome in the digital assistants we use every day, including Siri and Google Assistant.
That being said, here are the top 5 tech trends we want to see in 2024.
1. Smarter Siri, Google Assistant
Siri and Google Assistant are, for the most part, decent at following commands. However, their ability to respond to our questions can be improved. With better, more sophisticated AI and machine learning injected into Siri and Google Assistant, there will be a reduction in falling back on "Here's what I found on the web" and "Sorry, I don't understand" responses.
Plus, I don't know if it's just me, but it seems like Siri and Google Assistant have selective hearing at times, particularly on my phone. Hopefully, Apple and Google will improve their respective digital assistants to make our lives easier.
2. Better interoperability between devices
In a surprise move, in late 2023, Apple announced that RCS support is coming to iPhone in 2024. This means that Android and iPhone users no longer need to grow frustrated over janky group texts and poor-quality videos being sent between their devices. I always thought Google and Samsung's push for Apple to join the RCS bandwagon would fall on deaf ears, but as it turns out, Apple put up a white flag.
However, it's not just Android and iPhone that could benefit from interoperability. Android users who have MacBooks, for example, would love it if it were easier to transfer data between their phones and laptops. It's pie-in-the-sky thinking considering Apple makes a killing from safeguarding its walled-garden ecosystem, but still, increased interoperability between more devices would be a welcomed tech trend for 2024.
3. Better gaming for macOS
Apple has been more focused on making macOS and iOS more gamer-friendly lately. For example, at the Scary Fast MacBook event, Apple revealed that the new M3 chips are packed with GPUs that facilitate hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading. In other words, games should look more realistic, including better reflections, shadows, water simulation, and more.
These two features, as The Verge pointed out, are "firsts" for Apple's in-house chipsets that power its modern MacBooks. And at the iPhone event in September, Apple boasted that the iPhone 15 Pro models will support native versions of Assassin's Creed Mirage and Resident Evil 4.
Of course, in 2024, we hope Apple continues to focus on its efforts to make MacBooks more gaming-friendly, which will encourage more development of macOS games.
4. Sleeker AR/VR devices
Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses grabbed a lot of attention (at least more than the previous-generation Ray-Ban Stories), however, some consumers were disappointed that it doesn't have any mixed-reality capabilities. In other words, it doesn't overlay virtual information on top of your real-world environment.
Sure we have the likes of the Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3 offering mixed-reality, but a Google Glass-esque pair of spectacles — one that is sleek and slender — that has augmented reality (AR) prowess would be a cool tech trend to see in 2024.
5. Steam Deck killers
Although the likes of the Lenovo Legion Go and the Asus ROG Ally came for the Steam Deck's crown, the Valve handheld gaming PC continues to reign supreme.
(See our Steam Deck vs. Lenovo Legion Go comparison). In 2024, we want to see the companies step it up and snatch the Steam Deck's throne.
Final thoughts
Other tech trends I'd like to see in 2024 include more sophisticated health tracking in wearables such as the Apple Watch Series, Samsung Watch, and Pixel Watch devices. Apple has stepped up last year with the Watch Series 9's ability to track fertility, but I'm excited to see other advancements the Cupertino-based tech giant has up its sleeves.
I'd also like to see ultra-fast charging across all of our devices in 2024, including our phones, laptops, headphones, and more. Hey, a girl can dream!
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