The end of the year is naturally a time for reflection and contemplation. And since we have already reminisced 2023 with our series of “Year in Review” articles, we are now going to gaze into our crystal ball and list some of the things to look forward to in the new year. Happy New Year everyone!
- How Neural Processing Units will transform our digital lifestyle
versatile for various tasks, NPUs specifically accelerate deep learning algorithms, offering superior performance in AI applications compared to their counterparts.
In 2024, NPUs will become increasingly common, with Intel’s Core Ultra (Meteor Lake) and AMD’s 8040 series processors dropping onto laptops first as a notable example. The impact of NPUs may not be noticeable for most people in the new year (with Intel and AMD’s new processors), apart from say, speeding up the blurring of the background in a Zoom call or performing AI image generation locally on your computer (you might even be able to use ChatGPT offline too – here’s a prototype in action).
But the floodgate has been opened, and as AI features come to more applications and devices, they may be destined to become an essential part of your digital lifestyle.
- Apple Vision Pro – Possibly the most important product launch of 2024
There will be few products in 2024 that will be as eagerly anticipated as Apple’s Vision Pro headset. Not only is it Apple’s first foray into the VR/AR headset space and their first all-new device since the Apple Watch, it also marks a new type of computing experience that Apple calls “spatial computing.” Oh, it also happens to cost quite a lot.
The tech is undoubtedly impressive and initial impressions by those who have tried it have been mostly positive (me included), but those early hands-on and demos were highly scripted. The proof would be when the product is out in the wild in the hands of customers and the curious public. How will they respond? What will they use it for? Will it live up to its high price tag?
The way I see it, I think there’s a good chance the Vision Pro will be a quiet success at first, but it will gradually herald a new class of computing devices, especially after Apple analyses customer feedback and refines the Vision Pro. After all, the first Apple Watch didn’t quite make a mark, but soon after, it became a quiet success.
- Proliferating artificial intelligence features in phones
I believe that artificial intelligence’s (AI) most prominent showcase will come through smartphones. That’s because a smartphone is readily available in most hands, and they offer more direct representation and results that can immediately enhance how we use mobile devices.
Companies like Qualcomm are adding phone components/standards like authenticators to verify imagery artificiality, while companies like Google are on a path to optimizing processing resources for their consumer-AI tools in their Pixel phones. That doesn’t yet include new entrants, like Samsung’s Galaxy AI.
This development is greater than simply including AI tricks on a phone. The conveniences or troubles they will bring will also define the next battleground between these devices. It will also show you the true colors of your favorite technology brands, and lead you to ask how much AI is acceptable in your daily interactions. There is no one right answer.
I’d say that existing smartphone AI features (e.g., photo/video improvements and call/recording conveniences of which the Google Pixel 8 series is leading the game) will see further refinements. It’s not just about delivering cute, cool, or trendy AI features. It’s also about the industry finding its footing in providing relevant features. After all, what do specs and components offer if they can’t do anything more?.
- The adoption of Wi-Fi 7 to pick up pace
7 router should also be able to support more devices. This is key as we have more connected devices at home than ever before – from connected coffee machines/roasters, dehumidifiers, washing machines, ovens, robot vacuums, smart fans, and more.
We can also expect to see more Wi-Fi 7-enabled devices soon with top motherboards and laptops already embracing Wi-Fi 7 support. Some of these include the ASUS ROG STRIX Z790-E Gaming Wi-Fi II, Acer Swift Edge 16, and the MSI Alpha 17 C7V. All in all, we are on the cusp of the next big shift in networking technology.
- More varied laptop offerings than ever before
Snapdragon Elite X boasts double the performance of Intel Raptor Lake at low power draw and over 60% less power draw at Intel’s peak performance (even when using the H-series 13th Gen Core). Certainly, we’ve to take all marketing figures with a pinch of salt and consider what tests represent these figures. But if you flatten all this out, the Snapdragon Elite X is likely going to be more power efficient than Intel’s shiniest Core Ultra processor and that’s going to make their vast advances for Meteor Lake (used on the Core Ultra) look a little flat.
Intel of course has the enormous advantage of manufacturing its processors, a far more robust supply chain to keep the PC ecosystem oiled, and more. We don’t expect Qualcomm to pull the rug underneath Intel, but they can probably deliver the dent that will keep Intel awake at night since more will join the Arms race soon.
Chromebooks are an interesting alternative as you don’t require very powerful laptops and starting prices are low. However, don’t skimp too much, and ensure you get a laptop with at least 8GB of RAM for decent usage.
For those who peg application versatility, compatibility, and the desire to play a variety of games (ensure that your notebook features a decent GPU), a Windows-based laptop is your ideal path. For further reading, check out what connectivity options are useful when getting a new laptop, and the practical considerations to look out for when shopping for one.
Have a Happy 2024 and look out for more developments and impactful stories on our site! — Team Aqqute. (Aqqute labs)
