Google Glass
Google Glass
is still the first in the list. This is the technology that we were
expecting in 2013. Google wanted to start shipping the device at the end
of 2013, but they couldn’t make it. Further, they didn’t even say a
word about it during the past Google I/O conference.
Everything seems a secret even though they are expanding their explorer program. In the beginning, you could have a Google Glass
if you booked it at the Google I/O 2012, then it was friends of people
who took part in the explorer program and now people who are subscribers
of Play Music All Access can order a device.
The price is still the same $1,500. As the explorer program keeps
growing, the shipping date comes closer. They might choose to start
shipping it at Google I/O 2014 or at the end of the year close to
christmas. The key to success is the price. We all know that $1,500 is
too much to build a mainstream product, that’s why they need to price it
under $500, if they want it to become the next big thing.
Oculus Rift
Another product that we want to see in the market in 2014 is the Oculus Rift. At the moment, as we have said dozens of times,
you can only buy the Developer Kit at $300. The innovation that this
product brings on the table is massive, but the question is “are we
ready to use it?”. When I first tried to use the Oculus, I almost
fainted.
The experience is so strange the first time that it seems to be in
another world, then you start getting used to it. What it is remarkable
about this device is that it can be integrated with other technologies.
In the past months, several developers have started building things
thanks to the Developer Kit. The two most interesting concepts are Elon
Musk’s design software and Omni.
We have already covered the former, when we nominated Elon Musk as
the best entrepreneur of the year. On the other hand, the latter is
pretty new. Omni, thanks to a Kinect, the Oculus Rift, a static surface,
and custom shoes, allows you to be in the game.
Amazon Prime Air
People are slow and inefficient in some cases, even though they do an
excellent job from a human point of view. However in some cases, it
could be much more useful to use drones. That’s what the Amazon Prime Air
is about. Amazon is aiming at delivering packages in less than 30
minutes by using unmanned aerial vehicles. As they also say on their
website:
Putting Prime Air into commercial use will take some
number of years as we advance the technology and wait for the necessary
FAA rules and regulations.
We wont’ see them flying in 2014, but the gold rush has just started.
This year will be the one were more than one company will start working
on drones and robots in order to try to figure out more efficient ways
to produce and deliver stuff. Even Google who recently bought Boston
Dynamics has set its eyes on this market. This will be the year where we
see robots used not just in labs by researchers, but in real life
situations.
Virgin Galactic Expected Flight
Richard Branson
is the craziest person on earth. He doesn’t care if something might
have technical issues or if it might take years to develop, following
the “screw it, let’s do it” philosophy, Branson has founded more than
200 companies within the Virgin Groups. Starting from selling record
labels to trying to manufacture Virgin Condoms and ending up in space.
In fact, one of those companies is Virgin Galactic, which aims to
make space travels doable. This company for just $200,000 can bring you
in space and let you try how it feels being in orbit without gravity.
What it’s cool is that they say to be on track to deliver space travels
in 2014 and NBCUniversal has recently closed a partnership with Virgin
to film the first flight with Branson and his sons.
3D Printing
3D
printing is not a product, but a technology trend that will keep
expanding in the next twelve months. As soon as 3D printers’ prices will
drop, we’ll see more of them in our houses.
The future is not about moving and transporting materials from
country to country, the future is about building the things you need in
your house. That’s why we desperately need to improve this technology
and distribute it as much as possible. Costs are still a problem, but as
the technology advances, things can be built in a cheaper way.
Courtsey:greatpreneurs.com
History is testimony to it. So what’s stopping you from being innovative? Go, win the world.
