New computer technologies. Apparat – Magazine about the new society

The fingerprint scanner has become the gold standard and is used in almost all smartphones, even budget ones. But Apple decided to move on and in 2017 introduced its anniversary smartphone with new Face ID technology. Now, to unlock your iPhone, just look at it. Moreover, while in other smartphones the facial recognition function is just an option, Apple simply abandoned Touch ID in favor of a more advanced technology.

There's a reason Face ID gets so much attention. To fully realize the idea, Apple had to develop a system of sensors and cameras called True Depth. The system consists of an infrared camera, an illumination system and a dot projector. Together they create a 3D impression of the face and save it to the phone’s memory. The next time the user looks at the phone, True Depth will take a photo of his face, compare it with the impression in memory and unlock the smartphone.

While the technology has some downsides that can't be overlooked, Apple has definitely given the impetus to other companies to develop their own equivalents of Face ID. Most likely, facial recognition will become a new standard in the smartphone market in the future.

Blockchain

Blockchain technology is on everyone's lips, largely thanks to the hype surrounding Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. But not everyone understands why it is needed. Without going into technical details, blockchain is a fast and reliable tool for transmitting information. We are talking primarily about financial transactions that involve large sums of money. Just the other day, Sberbank and Alfa-Bank conducted the first interbank transfer using blockchain.

The use of blockchain is not limited to the financial sector. Medicine, copyright, energy, Internet of things and many other areas that rely on the transfer of information can use blockchain technology to optimize processes.

4K and HDR

It wasn't long ago that 4K TVs were considered expensive toys, but 2017 has proven that this is not the case. More and more videos on YouTube are being released in 4K resolution. Netflix is ​​also gradually introducing a new image format, and the film industry is not lagging behind. With the release of PS4 Pro and Xbox One X, many gamers are thinking about upgrading their equipment.

In addition to higher resolution, many 4K TVs support HDR (High Dynamic Range), or wide dynamic range. This is a very important point, because HDR improves color accuracy and overall image quality. This means that we will be able to see more details on the screen.

Of course, there is no urgent need to run headlong to the nearest electronics store. However, many are already showing their interest in promoting the new image format, which will soon displace Full HD from the market.

Frameless smartphones

The main trend of this year. It is worth mentioning that the term “frameless smartphone” is not entirely correct. There is a frame, and on some models it is quite noticeable. The display format has changed, which is quite natural, because manufacturers would not be able to endlessly increase the size of smartphones.

Apparently, the widescreen display has become the standard for the smartphone market, given that even budget models have become “bezel-less”.

Quantum communication technologies

Albert Einstein made major contributions to the development of quantum physics

Quantum communication is the safest way to transmit information, but at the same time the most expensive. We are talking not only about text communication, but also about audio and video calls. With the advent of new technologies, you no longer have to worry about being monitored.

Unfortunately, due to technological limitations, quantum communication is an exclusively local phenomenon, and we are still far from a worldwide quantum Internet. However, scientists and engineers in some countries are working tirelessly in this direction.

Much of the news comes from China, which not only launched a quantum satellite into orbit, but also created the first quantum commercial network. In Austria, a team of specialists from the University of Vienna was able to develop a prototype of a quantum router that solves problems that limit the transmission of information over long distances over fiber optic communication lines.

It is difficult to predict the moment when the quantum Internet will appear, but when it happens, we will have the most secure information network.

Rapid transport network

Elon Musk's high-speed train concept art

Elon Musk is Tony Stark in the real world. The billionaire and philanthropist of the 21st century is full of ideas and not constrained by funds. While an ambitious project to colonize Mars is under development, Musk is working on other ideas. One of them is the supersonic Hyperloop train.

The idea is a network of underground tunnels through which bean-shaped cabins will move at high speeds. Sounds crazy. Indeed, so far Elon Musk has only managed to accelerate the train to 300 km/h. But the inventor is determined, which means that sooner or later he will be able to build an ultra-high-speed transport system that will encircle the entire planet.

Smart speakers

Smart speaker Apple HomePod

The physical embodiment of intelligent assistants such as Siri and Google Assistant. Last year the Google Home smart speaker came out, and this year Apple's HomePod came out. Both companies want to connect all smart electronics based on their OS and localize the control center through smart speakers.

Unfortunately, in Russia there is no way to test such devices in action; they are not officially sold. In addition, they still can’t do much and are used as an optional addition to a smart home: they can turn on music, talk about the weather, or call a taxi.

Other large companies have already joined in the development of such speakers, so we are expecting more smart gadgets for the home in the near future.

Revolution in 3D printing

Until now, 3D printing technology is perceived by most as something fantastic. Nevertheless, 3D printers are used with might and main almost everywhere: in medicine, industry, architecture, and in space programs.

The technology is so ambitious that not everyone is still aware of the possibility of printing a pizza or a house, but the fact remains a fact. Only in 2017, the first part for a nuclear power plant was printed, a prosthetic tibia and anti-radiation shields for the ISS. Who knows, maybe in 30 years we will print people on a 3D printer.

Environmentally friendly transport

Model of an electric car from Volvo

The first thing that comes to mind is Tesla Motors, and for good reason. Elon Musk's company is always popular. In addition, he recently introduced the brand new Tesla Roadster and the impressive Tesla Semi tractor. Unless you've been in isolation all this year, you've probably heard about cryptocurrencies. The world is divided into two camps, as is usually the case. Some see the future in virtual currencies, others argue that Bitcoin is just another financial pyramid. Be that as it may, it cannot be denied that this phenomenon has affected the entire financial market. Many European countries have even installed terminals for exchanging this currency.

Judging by the reactions of bankers, financial analysts and authorities, it can be assumed that cryptocurrency can create a number of problems for them. It is difficult to control, if not impossible. We can only wait and watch: who knows, perhaps in the future we will see a change in the economic system throughout the world.

Some of these products have already gained particular popularity.

They stand out from the crowd and will attract even more money in the near future.

We invite you to get acquainted with nine products that claim to be genius:

1. My Size

My size manages to put different measurement tools into your smartphone. This is a very useful application, because we usually do not carry a ruler or tape measure with us. My Size allows you to get exact measurements. For example, the MySizeID app allows you to save your personal measurements. This ensures that every time you buy clothes or shoes without trying them on, you will not be mistaken with the size. Retailers benefit from this revolutionary tool because accurate sizing means fewer returns.

2.POC Medical

The modern healthcare system lacks high-quality and affordable solutions for early detection of diseases. POC Medical Systems created and patented Pandora CDx technology, which is currently used for early detection of breast cancer. It is not only easy to use, but also allows you to get results faster. This product will significantly impact the lives of many people and help cure their disease more effectively and quickly.

3. Delighted

4. Brainly

Brainly is the largest P2P education platform with over 80 million students worldwide. It brings students together so they can help each other with homework for free. Brainly combines social media, online learning and machine learning. This platform has the potential to change the way we think about acquiring knowledge in general.

5.Riskified

Riskified has developed an interesting solution for online retailers. Riskified technology allows online retailers to profit from “declined” transactions. In addition, the platform is capable of detecting fraud attempts in real time.

6. Kiip

Kiip is a marketing and monetization platform. Kiip uses "instant targeting" whereby various bonuses are offered to any random mobile user. Kiip allows apps to reward people with both real and virtual prizes. The campaign has already gone international and entered into strategic partnerships with companies in China, where more and more consumers are shopping on mobile devices.

7. Clarifai

While much of what's happening in the space is revolutionary in itself, this product is amazing.

Clarifai specializes in visual recognition and uses machine learning. The technology will enable the creation of smart and intuitive applications that can better meet customer needs. It will also impact online businesses by improving e-commerce capabilities. Thus, potential buyers will be able to find any product from the photo they like and find out where and how it can be purchased.

8. AirMap

I started testing delivery of orders using drones a long time ago. The company is investing in developing technologies that will allow drones to navigate the airspace safely and efficiently.

AirMap is a completely new navigation solution that will help developers and commercial users take drone use to the next level. The AirMap map indicates no-fly zones and allows companies, organizations and individuals to enter their address into a special register.

Opinion of the Vice President of the GSV Asset Management fund

Vice President of the GSV Asset Management fund Li Jang published his rating of technologies that will become popular in 2017 in a blog on Medium. He notes that many interesting projects are related to robotics, alternative energy sources and augmented reality.

Snap Spectacles video glasses are available now in Venice, California. In 2017, they will become widespread. The glasses can succeed where Google Glass failed.

For example, using the Snapchat product is more fun and convenient, and the device offers many user scenarios related to the application of the same name. Moreover, three years have passed (billions of years in technological terms) and glasses are cool again.

9. Starship Technologies

In late 2016, Starship Technologies unveiled its delivery robots in Washington, D.C., and Redwood City, California. They have traveled over 11,600 miles and met 1.8 million people. I hope that Ahti Heinle and his team will be able to rid us of the empire of “boxes” - large malls and shopping centers.

8. Electron (Rocket Lab company)

It's getting a little crowded in space, on humanity's last frontier. While it's not a product you'll find on store shelves, the Electron rocket dramatically reduces the cost of space travel.

The cost of a ticket for your companion will be only $50 thousand. Each Electron rocket consumes less fuel than a Boeing 737 on a Los Angeles-San Francisco flight. The company has set a goal of launching at least one hundred rockets within a year. Satellites offer incredible opportunities: they can transmit an Internet signal, monitor weather changes in real time, or monitor key economic infrastructure.

7. Zipline

While the FAA scares drone manufacturers with the Icarus example, other countries are much more receptive to the proliferation of unmanned aerial vehicles if they can deliver life-saving medical supplies. Zipline, a startup that has raised $25 million in funding from leading Silicon Valley investors, is now working in Rwanda and other countries to drop off needed drugs.

6.Remedy

If you've ever needed to urgently talk to a doctor, but couldn't get through, then the time has come. 2017 will see the release of Remedy, an application that opens up opportunities for the development of “medicine on demand” and personalized healthcare.

Thanks to information about the diagnoses and treatment of previous patients, as well as artificial intelligence, Remedi can provide assistance remotely in 70% of cases, or quickly find a doctor. Healthcare workers benefit from using the app because it helps with paperwork, which costs US hospitals $250 billion annually, or 25% of all expenses.

5. Tesla Solar

Tesla is making rooftops cool again. The company offers a coating that accumulates solar energy. Over 5 million new roofs are installed in the United States each year. Therefore, installing photosensitive elements in roofing materials helps spread solar energy technology.

The company's goal is to reduce the price of solar roofing so that it is comparable (or even lower) to the price of a traditional one. Now Solar City products are presented in four versions:

4. Anki Cozmo

If your childhood was inspired by Star Wars and the cartoon Wall-E, then you will appreciate the Anki Cozmo robot, which is already on sale. These robots are able to react to surrounding events and interact with people in a human way. The developers set themselves the task of raising a new generation of builders and designers.

3. Octane AI

Octane AI, an impressive example in the chatbot industry, allows any company to create its own bots for technical support, customer interaction and routine tasks that will help company founders focus on business strategy. Companies such as Microsoft, Alphabet, Facebook, IBM, Amazon, Softbank, Tencent, Alibaba, Baidu and Samsung will soon present their bots.

2. Tesla Model 3

Tesla Model 3 cars are equipped with Autopilot, which will evolve over time, thanks to software updates coming to the system remotely. Mass production of the model is scheduled for the end of 2017. Now Elon Musk and his team are working to make the production of cars, batteries and solar panels even more efficient and faster. And an increase in volumes will lead to a fall in price.

1. Magic Leap

If Magic Leap comes out with a consumer product in 2017 that works exactly as shown in the teaser, it will be quite a magical leap. This is currently #1 on my list because I can imagine how cool other uses it could be.

Now computing power will literally be under your nose, and if previously you needed a computer, tablet, phone or watch, now all operations can be performed by moving your head or blinking. Although who am I kidding - I don't know exactly how the Magic Leap user interface works, but it seems to me that the device will change the relationship between humanity and technology.

Humans will give way to artificial intelligence and automatic systems. At the same time, it itself will become a valuable cargo. Systems with the ability to self-learn and develop will solve unexpected situations on the road much more effectively; however, this is not yet a reason to remove the steering wheel from the interior - after all, in the event of a failure of the brakes or driving systems, someone has to keep the car on the road.

But skeptics and optimists alike agree that the media will soon see headlines like “Self-driving car prevents deaths of 5 passengers on family vacation in dramatic road collision.”

2. The intersection of medicine and big data can yield significant results.

Until today, medicine has taken a one-size-fits-all approach to solving problems. But the amount of available medical data, combined with technology, makes it possible to make diagnosis and therapy as accurate as possible and reduce treatment down to the molecular level and a computer-accurate model of overcoming illnesses.

For example, the University of California is already training doctors to have different ways of communicating with different patients, so that instead of a one-size-fits-all approach to treatment, they study all the influences, contexts, habits, living conditions and even the environment and socio-economic conditions in which the patient lives.

Precision medicine will allow us to move from creating a general picture of symptoms to making accurate diagnoses and treating the very mechanisms of disease formation. And cloud technologies will help systematize this process and combine various data points into a common system.

3. Common spaces will change their role

Space is not just where you live, sleep or work. The space will begin to interact with you. The smart space will learn to integrate and interact with you. Thanks to the reduction in the cost of technology, sensors will become cheaper, which means that it will increasingly be possible to integrate them into the environment - protection, control and monitoring will become a convenient tool for changing the configuration and purpose of space, no matter what role it plays: from health protection, recreation, research and production, research, life and entertainment.

A simple example: adapting lighting, sound absorption, humidity and air temperature in hospital rooms depending on the patient’s health status, the totality of current symptoms and well-being - all this is possible thanks to the collected mass of data both from the hospital and from fitness trackers and various services.

4. Artificial Intelligence and Art

Sony's CSL Research Lab recently synthesized thousands of pages of musical notation to create the first song written by artificial intelligence, only improved by a human composer. We already see procedural data generation in the gaming industry - it all started with the randomization of levels in Diablo, and turned into almost endless worlds and planets in the network game No man's Sky. At the 2016 London Film Festival, a film created entirely with the help of artificial intelligence was shown for the first time .

So far, both the short film and the Beatles-like song are just a pale shadow of the capabilities that artificial intelligence has in generating works of art. Imagine that a movie produced by the program will win an Oscar. What about the top chart on all radio stations for a song that was written by a computer? Touring artificial intelligence - a singer or musician who does not have a physical body? This will be the next challenge for artists around the world - as well as for scientists and engineers.

5. Synthetic food and molecular agriculture

The world's pressure to reduce emissions, green energy, tackle climate change and produce cruelty-free food and livestock is growing - and humanity's protein intake is unlikely to decline. Is it possible to get meat without having to kill a cow or pig?

The first direction of work is the production of plant proteins, which will be reverse engineered and “repackaged” into a form similar to the meat we are used to. Synthetic food - meat, eggs, milk and dairy products - is already being actively created as a result of laboratory experiments.

In 2017, we are likely to see a number of plant-based meat substitutes in stores. The meat-free trend that once existed among vegans may be transformed into a smart technological approach to overcoming the food crisis and ethical disagreements. And it cannot be ruled out that next Thanksgiving, a number of Americans will savor turkey, literally created from grain.

6. Bots for business

Internet bots and automated software have already made themselves known in 2016 - but they will go further, not stopping solely at customer support or information services from companies, banks and hotels (as is mostly happening now). The next step for bots is the coordination of services and programs, interaction with other artificial and semi-artificial decision-making systems.

Imagine an entrepreneur who wants to launch a new production facility that requires development, engineering, and marketing efforts, but has limited resources. For such an entrepreneur, a separate R&D bot will in the future offer a base of designers and engineers; the operational bot will contact component suppliers; and the marketing and sales bot optimizes the e-commerce and promotion channels you can take advantage of. And all this data will go to you - and you will be able to transfer control to a business bot for routine tasks. Now it sounds a little fantastic, but wait a little longer and you will see for yourself that this is not a utopia.

7. The brain and the impossible becomes possible

Therapy using virtual reality will move from simply distracting the brain from obsessive ideas and conditions up to the creation of a multisensory space in which treatment will occur due to the complete replacement of the traumatic comfortable reality with a virtual one (so where it can be similar to “The Matrix” - editor's note) .). The use of such technology (let's call it VRT for short) will make it possible to achieve progress in the treatment of mental disorders, phobias and addictions that has not yet been achieved by any type of drug or behavioral therapy.

The Mindmaze startup is already working in this direction: the team creates an artificial environment for stroke patients, stimulating the reproduction of functions and skills through immersion in virtual reality. And this is just one of the possible therapeutic areas of work.

8. Blue Ocean Strategy for the Ocean...

In 2017, the planet's population will continue to grow, which means the need for resources will also grow. For a long time we paid attention only to land, but large reserves of resources are hidden in the ocean. Open water fish farming and marine harvesting provide a source of food without the need to cultivate land and waste pesticides or fresh water. Ocean farming is that “blue ocean strategy” you've probably heard of.

With this comes access to automation, when you can monitor marine farms, supply and storage of raw materials, logistics and delivery online.

9. Interface in our ears

Since the early 1980s, human-computer interaction has relied heavily on a graphical interface (GUI). But technologies change, and so do interfaces. For example, it is already possible to control smart car systems using voice commands. Devices like Here One explore the potential of augmented reality and voice control. Apple recently introduced its AirPods wireless headphones, just the first step towards a new type of interaction with interfaces using voice. The audio interface in 2017 will become one of the key ones for interacting with devices.

10. Drones for good causes

Rwanda is building the world's first drone airport, where medical drones will be able to quickly deliver medicine to areas and towns that need it. You can wait months for a new road to be paved, or you can simply introduce a technological tool that will help overcome a disease outbreak or stabilize the situation with a shortage of doctors. This is just one example of how quadcopters can change the economies of developing countries for the better.

Robots take to the road

This year, robots will focus more on driving. It's hard to find an automaker - be it Honda, Hyundai or BMW - that doesn't equip its 2017 models with driver-assistance features like automatic braking to avoid collisions or automatic steering to help avoid lane drift. These features, along with Wi-Fi, navigation systems and a ton of sensors, pave the way for our connected, driverless future.

It's not as far away as you think. This year you might be able to take a ride in a self-driving car.

Privacy alarm bell

Cybercrime changed the world in 2016, when Yahoo announced it had lost a billion logins and the US government accused hackers of sabotaging the presidential election. You will definitely be hacked in 2017, if not already. Digital rights activists are sounding the alarm about growing government surveillance. Marketers like Google are even more aggressive in collecting data to build a detailed picture of your online behavior. What can be done? Surrounded by passwords, software updates and encrypted messaging? Pf.

Consoles will raise the stakes


Next year will bring a new VR-centric Microsoft Xbox and a hybrid desktop and handheld console, the Nintendo Switch. Sony will probably also show off a brand new PlayStation.

Gaming systems are designed to last six to eight years, but the entertainment industry is evolving faster and faster, games are becoming more aggressive in terms of requirements, and displays are becoming cooler, for example, acquiring 4K resolution and HDR colors. Virtual reality (VR) games are also very demanding on computing power. If console makers don't want to release new consoles every year, they will have to change the paradigm in which their systems can accept new features faster.

Screens take over space

The iPhone 7, in principle, was not surprising (except that it lost a headphone jack). The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 was memorable, but for different reasons. If 2016 can be called boring in terms of smartphones, 2017 is the year of their rethinking. Leaps in screen technology and software will pave the way for the biggest reinvention in years. Apple is expected to go all out for the iPhone's 10th anniversary. There are rumors of buttonless models with curved OLED displays. Samsung, which has already started promoting curved bezel-less models, will continue the trend with the Galaxy S8 and will also give its flagship phone new AI functionality.

Artificial intelligence


AI is probably the headline of the year in 2016. AlphaGo was mentioned, OpenAI received a billion dollars for AI development, babies are already talking to Google Home and Amazon Echo. But this generation may no longer remember what desktop computers are. The idea of ​​“taking product X and adding AI to it” will be the talk of 2017.

Decentralized p2p networks

Some experts are excited about the future of decentralized peer-to-peer (p2p) networks. As can be seen from the principles of a shared economy, they could easily make a small community rich by dividing its resources among people. Blockchains, cryptocurrency, and BitTorrent can be used to redefine values, integrate blockchain-based democratic decision-making, create decentralized peer-to-peer organizations, and organize principles of platform cooperation. One day, perhaps, this trend will lead to the creation of local economies that use existing resources instead of acquiring new ones.

Technology-enabled learning

Over the past few years, we've seen many cool examples of technology being used to enhance learning in the classroom. For example, virtual reality allowed students to look into the bloodstream or even assemble a skeleton in Darwin's laboratory. 2017 will see a new wave of AI applications aimed at improving the learning experience, such as personalized learning plans and personalized assessments.

Worldwide high-speed Internet

In November, SpaceX filed an application with the FCC to launch more than 4,000 satellites into space to deploy high-speed Internet on Earth, providing connectivity to even the most remote areas of our planet. If successful, SpaceX's plan will pose serious competition to Project Loon, which has the same mission. What remains for us? See which method will be more successful and how an increasingly connected world will impact other industries.

Personal synthetic biology laboratories

“I have a dream that one day I will be able to design, create and grow different types of biological products at home,” says one biologist. - Anything from perfumes and medicine to cool materials like leather made from mushrooms. The day when anyone can have an easy-to-use biology laboratory at home is still a long way off, but the first step has already been taken.”