Share This
Without a doubt, the year 2013 has been one of the most important and exciting years for tech. It would seem that through a vast array of new technologies and developments, technology is playing an even stronger role in our day-to-day lives. We here at GreatPreneurs have always tried to keep up to date with the current trends and incoming pieces of tech, so ahead of my “what to expect from 2014″ article, here is the brief low-down of the tech trends, products and stories that have shaped the past year.
The Year of the Whistleblower
The year 2013 proved one thing: that in terms of online privacy and keeping your data secure, nobody is safe from the watchful eyes of the government. Edward Snowden completely blew the world of surveillance and cyber espionage wide open, prompting a larger public debate about day-to-day privacy settings and - in general - making the public much 
more aware of just how their information was shared and stored. Social media websites have never been so big than they are today, with Twitter floating on the stock market and Facebook acquiring Instagram, they have never had more prominence, nor been in the public eye so much. This therefore prompted many of these companies, both big and small, to make sweeping changes to their terms and conditions and privacy policies in order to offer a more transparent service and ease user’s minds that their details were safe. For sure, these kinds of changes would never have happened had Whistleblowers like Edward Snowden not brought to light several government projects and initiatives.
The Year of the Tablet Computer
It goes without saying, that this has clearly been the year of the tablet computer. It’s impossible to ignore just how many companies have jumped on-board the tablet computer band-wagon. Bolstered with price drops due to market saturation, the tablet market is now chock-a-block with tablets for any kind of consumer; be it you, your parents, your nan or even your two year old child. We have seen fierce competition between Apple, Samsung, Microsoft, Asus and even supermarkets like Lidl and Tesco in this highly profitable market. We saw the biggest - and slightly underwhelming - overhaul to Apples mobile operating system, in the form of IOS 7. We saw Microsoft and Windows 8.1 trying to step up their game and push their way into the tablet market with various budget and top end tablet computers, and finally we even saw the introduction of a popular child’s tablet computer (what has the world come to) in the form of the Galaxy 3 Tab Kids. It would seem then, that finally tablet computers have pervaded into every aspect of day-to-day life, with one for every conceivable type of audience.
The Year of the Next Generation
In late November, on the 22nd and the 29th the UK saw the respective releases of both the Xbox One and the Playstation 4. Thus, this year has seen the beginning of the eighth generation of console gaming. Whilst I may not have gotten the chance to have a go on both consoles yet, it is clear to see, that this has been one of the most important years in recent times for both Sony and Microsoft, who have both had very successful product launches all over the world. The year 2013 has seen the 
excitement for these two consoles swell, with massive gaming expos like E3, and smaller - but not by any means lesser - expos like Manchester’s Play Expo add to the clamour and fervour that usually accompanies the launch of a new gaming generation. It has also been quite interesting to see the differing marketing styles of both Microsoft and Sony in trying to one up one another. It’s difficult to forget just how controversial it was, when in June Microsoft announced the “always on” requirement of the Xbox One’s Kinect camera, whilst stating that second hand games would be unplayable on their console. A move which they later reneged on due to fan outrage and the damage it would’ve done to their sales.
The Year of Wearable Tech
Strange as it sounds, 2013 was the year that we were formally introduced to the plethora of wearable smart technology devices. We have seen the concepts and introductions of the mostly under-adopted Galaxy Gear smart watch, the exciting promises of the Pebble smart watch, and the 
launch of the Glass Explorer Program, for those interested in testing Google’s smart glasses. This was, without a doubt the year that began truly useful wearable technology. Ten years ago it was almost inconceivable that almost every person living in the UK would have a smartphone - essentially a tiny computer - that would fit right into their pocket. That acted as a camera, an email client, an internet browser, something to play games on and more. Well in ten years, somebody will be writing about how people never used to wear smart watches, or glasses which showed you the weather in the top right hand corner of your peripheral vision, or wristbands that sent your health-stats to your smart-phone.
Yes, one thing really is for sure, 2013 has been the year that we got a glimpse into the future, and the future looks pretty damn good!
