Predictions for 2015

In the last of my old year/new year posts, I want to talk about some things I think will happen in 2015 (technology-wise). It seems like every year, tech is getting better but there’s a few things that I think will really take the cake this year.

Video on Demand for Still-in-Theater Movies

This whole Interview hubbub showed that movie studios are very capable, content providers very willing, and consumers very ready, to start streaming in-theater movies at home.

While the theater-going experience used to be a nice thing, I’ve noticed a terrible trend happening lately: people like to talk during movies; it drives me completely insane. It’s rude to everyone around you. Aside from that, the increasing prices in tickets and snacks makes it more and more expensive for people to go for what’s turning into a poor experience.

However, as streaming video technologies get better and more ubiquitous, it makes a whole lot more sense for studios to release these films directly to the likes of Google Play, iTunes, Amazon Video, and more. I don’t think it will happen en-masse, but I do think we will start to see it happen in 2015, without any international incidences.

Paying by Tapping

I have been waiting patiently for this to hit the mainstream for years- ever since I used my phone to pay at a vending machine in 2011. NFC has been around for a while (listen to next week’s TIL podcast to learn all about it) and Google Wallet has been around for years now, but I knew that it would take Apple to popularize it, which it is doing with Apple Pay.

*Note: This kinda of makes me furious; I feel like people waited for Apple to tell them they needed it. You could have had this for years!

Now that Apple Pay is a thing, consumers and retailers will likely fully realize how great tap to pay is. While the hardware has been in stores for a long time, consumers either didn’t have the means to use it or they just plain didn’t know they could.

Another major player that’s helping usher in this era of wallet-disassociation is Disney. Right now at Walt Disney World you can use a magic band, which has your park tickets, room keys, ability to pay, fast passes, dinner reservations, and more. You simply tap your band to a reader and you are good to go. This is huge, not only for Disney, but for NFC in general; people will see the power and convenience of interacting by tapping.

The Real Year of the Smart Watch

Of all the wearable technology, I think the watch has the best chance of wide-spread adoption. I have one and it’s great for 2 reasons: it’s convenient and it’s unobtrusive.

Google Glass was nice and all, but people were very, very aware of it. On top of that, it was really distracting and the battery life wasn’t that great. I still think it will do really well in certain fields (medical, jobs where you need your hands, sports) but it’s not ready for regular consumers.

Smart watches on the other hand are the perfect smartphone companion. With my Moto 360, I can see notifications, my phone stays silent (and saves battery through less screen time), I can play music and use it for directions (which is fantastic while driving), or I can disassociate it with my phone and use it as a regular watch. It’s also the right amount of customizable; I can download new faces and buy new bands for it.

I think smart watches in general will become big this year. The first one came out a few years ago, the tech is maturing, and there is general interest growing.

So 2015 looks like it’s going to be a good year. I think (and hope) a lot of technology and uses I’ve been waiting for will finally come into fruition.