Technology changes fast. And given the pivotal role tech plays in almost all aspects of our lives, when it gets upgraded, so too does our day-to-day. The new tech trends for 2023 build on the innovation that has already benefited customers in communication, convenience, productivity, entertainment and health, and tap into the faster, more robust fixed and mobile networks. Here’s a look at what you can expect to see this year in which AI, virtual reality, smart homes and cloud gaming will all play their part.

Get Set for Smarter Homes 

Smart homes are about to get even smarter as we integrate more intelligent products into our already well-connected spaces. It’s not just the sheer number of products we’re adopting – think security cameras, doorbells, lights, energy monitors, thermostats and water usage metres – that will boost connectedness but the uptick in the integration of AI to make automation more intuitive, which in turn increases convenience and energy efficiency. 

What will really move the needle, though, is the implementation of Matter, an automation connectivity standard that will allow products from different brands to be compatible and interoperable in a smart home’s ecosystem.

What To Try

Make your home a smart home with smart doorbells, smart speakers and smart lights. 

SEE ALSO: Connect 101: How to Set up and Connect a Smart Home

Cloud Gaming Takes Over

Gaming generates more revenue globally than the movie and music industries combined, and it’s only going to get bigger as access to the latest games comes from the cloud. This means no more physical console, PC or game – all you’ll need is your connected TV or device and a controller – with all the processing happening in the cloud. Of course, you can also up your gaming game by adding a microphone, second monitor and headset as well.

Cloud gaming services, such as Xbox Game Pass, Steam and Google’s Stadia, have already emerged. Meanwhile, trend forecasting company WGSN says gaming will become the new frontier for branding and could very well replace traditional forms of advertising. For example, sports giant Nike created Nikeland in the popular game Roblox where users can explore Nike buildings, play games and dress their avatars in the latest Nike sneakers, while eSport brand G2 Esports already has a global partnership with luxury retailer Ralph Lauren.

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The Virtual Office Becomes Even Better

Work-from-home restrictions during COVID-19 showed that work is often a thing you do, not necessarily a place you go. We proved a wide variety of jobs could be done virtually, and many of us are continuing to do just that, thanks to connectivity through the NBN and the growing number of customers taking up high-speed 5G home broadband plans. 

Next year’s laptops are likely to have better microphones and cameras and WiFi 6E connectivity, meaning speeds up to four times faster, making our home workspaces as capable as a fully kitted-out office. But the technology will go beyond better hardware, with virtual reality and more immersive displays, including holographic ones, making our telepresence as good as being there in person.

What To Try

The Virtual Office becomes better in 2023 with better laptops and virtual meeting technology like holographic meetings.

The Benefits of an Expanded 5G Network 

The growing 5G network footprint, expected to be moving towards 90% of the Australian population in 2023, isn’t just about making calls and downloading data. Its faster network speeds will allow for the implementation of helpful programs, such as remote monitoring of patients in their homes, and can even be used for remote robotic surgery, thanks to 5G’s low latency (the time it takes a command to cross the network). This will make it possible for a surgeon to direct life-saving surgery on a patient from the other side of the country. The expanded 5G network may also be used to connect smart drones delivering your takeaway order or latest online purchase, as well as enable self-driving cars to “talk” to one another.

What To Try

SEE ALSO: My Tech Top 5 with Zeller CEO Ben Pfisterer

Enter the Worlds of Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality

Virtual reality is well established in the gaming world, but it’s now entering other industries to assist with research and development, design and manufacturing, training and tourism. 

Imagine standing in the middle of Rome’s Colosseum, popping on a headset and seeing the ancient structure both as it is now and how it looked thousands of years ago. There’ll also be the chance to interact with friends, family and colleagues on the other side of the world as though they were in the same room. Meta, the parent company of Facebook, is already investing billions to develop the metaverse, a future 3D, virtual version of the internet that will create a new way to work, socialise and play. 

Then there’s augmented reality, which adds digital information to a real scene through a smartphone camera or headset (remember Pokémon GO?). It can be used to allow you to see how a piece of furniture might work in your home while you’re still in the store, or how you’ll look in a new outfit without having to try it on.

Smartphones Become Bigger and Better 

They've become the remote control of our lives and our reliance on smartphones to create and consume content, connect with each other, stay productive on the move and work remotely will grow. 

The trend for bigger and more powerful smartphones will continue, with foldable devices providing both high performance and a larger screen, as well the ability to return it to a smaller phone size when you just need to make a call. Don’t be surprised if you’re folding your next phone in half before you put it in your pocket or bag. There are even prototypes in the works for rollable devices as expandable phones for the future. 

What To Try

The new tech trends for smartphones with larger screens and for foldable smartphones will continue in 2023. 

Wearables Provide Even Better Health Tracking

The next generation of wearables, including smartwatches and fitness trackers, will be able to provide deeper insights into our health and wellness that may even flag issues before they become a problem. For example, they might alert us if we have an irregular heart rate, if our blood pressure is on the high side or if we’re running a fever – all common symptoms of serious medical issues. At the same time, they’ll better advise us on how to improve our sleep and minimise stress to give our overall wellness a continual boost.

What To Try

The next generation of wearables, including smartwatches and fitness trackers, may even flag issues before they become a problem. 

SEE ALSO: Best Tech Products for Your Home Workout