Disruptive Technology

"Disruptive Tech {Communication/Media}"

Media

Virtual/Augmented reality

Several firms, notably Facebook's Oculus Rift and Microsoft, will release virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) headsets this year. Some analysts suggest sales of these devices could top 12 million units this year. VR and AR offer unique opportunities for consumer entertainment, particularly in regards to gaming, but some industry watchers think that VR and AR will have an even bigger impact on enterprises. Companies could use the headsets for design work, engineering, construction, training and communications. Microsoft, in particular, seems to be targeting its HoloLens augmented reality device at this market.

Communication & Media

Wearables

IDC predicts that manufacturers will ship 111.1 million wearable devices in 2016, a 44.4% ,increase from the 80 million units shipped in 2015. In the past, the most common types of wearables have been smartwatches, like the Apple Watch, or fitness trackers like those from Fitbit. That could change this year as rumors suggest Google will launch an enterprise version of its Glass wearable this year. For businesses, wearables represent a new opportunity for interacting with consumers, as well as new ways to provide information to employees. If the technology takes off, organizations may soon be at work creating a new generation of mobile apps designed for wearables.

Communication

Smart Personal Assistants

Consumers have grown accustomed to using voice-activated assistants like Siri or Google Now on their mobile devices, but personal assistants are moving into the enterprise. With the launch of Windows 10, Microsoft put its Cortana assistant onto desktops and laptops, and other companies are likely to follow suit. In the coming year, analysts expect these personal assistants to get much smarter, thanks to developments in machine learning and cognitive computing. Researchers at MIT, the University of Texas at Austin, and making strides with this technology, which could find its way into enterprise products this year.