Electronic innovations are flowing thick and fast at the moment, so here is a look at just a few of the devices and developments that will make waves in 2015.
Flexible Smartphones
Smartphones with curved displays are already available, with the new Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge’s screen that confounds the flat expectations of consumers.
However, 2015 could be the year in which truly flexible devices hit the market, allowing for dramatically improved device durability as well as enhanced portability and options for interaction.
Apple Watch
Although announced last year, the Apple Watch is going on sale in 2015 and may well be a make or break moment for the wearables market.
Other smartwatches have failed to ignite much consumer interest but this stylish and powerful product from Apple could change all that.
VR Gadgets
The Oculus Rift may have started life as a crowd-funded pet project, but with financial backing from Facebook it has spawned a new era of virtual reality headgear that every company under the sun seems to be trying to corner.
Sony, HTC and a range of other manufacturers are going to try to crack the VR market this year, but for consumers the main question will be whether any of these devices are affordable and functional enough to justify the investment. Harnessing software testing by Bugfinders will help companies like this develop compelling VR apps to use on these devices.
Modular Smartphones
Google’s Project Ara is set to launch this year, allowing consumers the chance to buy a truly modular smartphone that has a range of upgradable components, rather than coming in a rigid form that does not allow any leeway for subsequent replacements.
The idea is that everything from the processor and camera to the battery, connectivity and display will be fully upgradable, although blocky designs may hamper early adoption amongst the aesthetically inclined.
Blood Testing Kit
In the age of pandemic threats and other health-related uncertainties, preparedness is critically important. And a new device known as the rHEALTH is seeking to overcome the issues with blood testing and make it something that can be carried out quickly and on the move.
Testing for diseases and ailments of all kinds can be carried out with the relatively compact rHEALTH unit, with users having to wait just minutes for a result to be provided. This means sending samples off to the lab and waiting days or weeks for an answer is no longer necessary and the detection of things like Ebola can be achieved efficiently and accurately.
Electric Bike Wheel
Electric bikes are already available, although the add-ons and upgrades required to add an electric motor at the moment are somewhat expensive and cumbersome. But UK-based Superpedestrian have spent the last three years developing a smart, easy to use alternative in the form of the Copenhagen Wheel.
With motor, battery and wireless connectivity features built into the back wheel of a bike, it is easy to install and can get people moving over long distances without weighing them down. And fitness tracking should be even easier with this intelligent invention.
