Each year brings more and more different innovations. The current year was no exception, which already boasts several remarkable innovations in the field of technology, which a couple of years ago one could only dream of and read in fantastic works.
In this review, we will not be talking about some trinkets that designers and constructors use dozens and hundreds of crowdfunding campaigns every month. We will talk about “wide” technologies that entered circulation in 2017, comparable in scale and significance, for example, with 3D printing that entered the trend several years ago.
1. Digital economy
The term “digital economy” has been flying off the lips of politicians and businessmen for several years, but until recently the concept remained incredibly vague. In short and clear, the digital economy is a set of solutions aimed at introducing digital technologies into the economy. In contrast to the “analogue” one, the “digital” economy widely uses cellular communications, the Internet and information technology. The development of such in the state contributes to the emergence of a huge number of IT companies, the computerization of organizations and departments, as well as the development of "smart" technologies.
2. Blockchain
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Surely every person has heard the term "blockchain" in the last two years. Experts argue that this technology is an essential element of the digital economy of the future. The technology is still mysterious, but at the same time it looks the most promising in the economic field. Initially, the blockchain was used only by cryptocurrencies, since their work is based on this principle, but now this situation is rapidly changing.
The essence of the technology is to create a distributed and well protected database. It is available to all users at once, and therefore is completely transparent. This technology stores any data that may need to be verified, whether it is a loan issued, a marriage registration, or a violation of traffic rules.
The simplest way to think of blockchain is as a large virtual ledger, each page of which stores only certain information. Moreover, each page of this "book" is stored by each user, constantly updated and compared with all other "pages". If someone tries to change data or rip out a page, the system will immediately notice.
3. Cryptocurrencies and ICO
Bitcoin's rise in recent years has drawn tremendous attention from governments to the cryptocurrency issue. Even today, opinions about digital money vary from expert to expert, from official to official. Many argue that cryptocurrencies are pyramid schemes, which means they are dangerous and should be prohibited. Others point out that any other world currency, be it the dollar or the ruble, has long been transformed into "paper bitcoins", since the gold standard is not used, and countries now and then run the printing press.
Until recently, special digital farms were created to receive bitcoins. Now, the currency is increasingly being promoted thanks to the promising ICO technology. This technology resembles crowdfunding and allows people to invest in enterprises by buying cryptocurrency from the organizer site.
4. Unmanned electric transport
Tesla's overwhelming success with the electric car has led to the fact that today even Apple has taken on the development of its car on an electric motor. It's funny that Elon Musk's enterprise today operates at a loss, but this does not prevent investors from steadily supporting his projects. All this happens because Elon was able to convince the whole world of one simple thought - the future of transportation in unmanned electric vehicles. Tesla Motors' recent tests have shown that this is indeed the case.
5. "Uberization"
This term comes from the name of the company "Uber", which, its own, was the first to do what will now be discussed. Uberization is the use of platforms and marketplaces for transactions that allow you to abandon traditional planned corporations. This approach can significantly reduce the cost of services for the end customer.
The most striking example of uberization to date is the release of its own application by the Swedish construction giant NCC. It is called Loop Rocks and is designed to bring together builders and buyers of soil, rubble and construction waste. And this is another example of the manifestation of the digital economy.
Bonus: Additional Reality
Augmented Reality or AR is not only a way of entertainment, it is also a powerful tool for business. With the help of this technology, you can completely change the learning process, improve safety in enterprises, and reach a new level in retail.