EACH year brings with it an exciting new array of gadgets and technological advancements. While some of these are kept secret up until their release, others receive a great deal of hype and media coverage. Like 2013, 2014’s tech trends may not fundamentally change our lives, but they will improve, alter, and, on occasion, impede and frustrate our day-to-day activities. Bear with me a moment as I gaze into our hazy digital future. Here are a few predictions to emerge from the gloom-2014 tech prediction:The Stealth Remote
A number of electronic and gadget companies are looking to break in on this particular gadget. The remote is distinct from a universal remote, as it is intended to automatically recognize the kind of television it is being directed at. The most well-known model in preparation is about the size of a keychain, and can actually be fastened onto the keychain. It’s similar to some practical joke remotes that are already on the market, except that this one is expected to have more practical uses in the longrun.

Cheapest tablet ever
The Indian government has promised that it will sell a tablet to its citizens for just 1,500 INR (around $5000) in 2014. Tablets like these won’t win awards for performance, but they smash through the cost barriers that would otherwise prevent low-income users from being able to get Online, and share in the knowledge and entertainment of the Web; and that’s pretty awesome.

Scanadu Scout
The Scanadu Scout is actually a fitness monitoring device that goes on to track all of your vital signs. All you’ll have to do to get a diagnosis is press it to your temple. It then provides all of the medical data relating to your pulse, electrical impulses, temperature, oxygen levels, and more. But it goes even further in value by providing a data analysis. It’s also expected to come out with additional add-ons that can evaluate if you’re sick, and with what.

iWatch
iWatch has made wearable technology the latest craze. These new devices are expected to hit store shelves in 2014 and will be providing the daily time and other pertinent information to wearers all around. They are also improving their Bluetooth support to work with the device. This will make the device far more useable in the future.

TAT
TAT technology powers 470 million devices. This technology is supposed to help improve touchscreen technology and also, set the stage for the introduction of stretchable touchscreens. There are so many implications for this new technology that people are anxiously awaiting its arrival and improvements in 2014.

iPhone 6
The iPhone 6 is expected to launch sometime between 3rd quarter of 2014. The new device could feature an enlarged display that measures between 4.7 and 5.7-inches. Other rumours have stated that Apple could release the phone in two separate sizes which will both be larger than the current iPhone 5S and 5C model. It will also feature a more powerful processor along with an updated version of iOS and an even more accurate version of the fingerprint sensor found on the 5S.

iPad Pro
Though this device seems highly unlikely, Apple is rumoured to be adding one more size to its iPad line-up with this 12.9-inch slate. Also known as the iPad Maxi, the bigger model will feature a larger screen than the current 9.7-inch model measuring in at around the same size as the 13.3-inch Macbook Air. It will offer higher pixel density nearing ultrahigh-definition quality and will feature a similar design to the current iPad Air that includes an ultrathin chassis and narrow side bezels.

Samsung has already revealed its intentions about focussing on the tablet segment in the coming year. Now, a new report claims the South Korean major might launch its most affordable Galaxy tablet yet, believed to be called the Galaxy Tab 3 Lite, sometime this month.

Samsung Galaxy S5
Buzzes about the S5 are swirling already and, frankly, many of the predictions being made seem more like wishful thinking than anything. Still, we’re hoping for less crappy plastic, a better display (many reports point to 2K resolution) and an improved camera. Whatever Samsung does with the S5, it’ll surely sell in the kind of numbers that most of its rivals can only dream of.

Touch-first versions of Microsoft Office
Thankfully, we’ll finally see the launch of ‘touch-first’ versions of core Office apps in 2014, redesigned from the ground up for finger-friendly interactions, with Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook all expected to get a ‘Modern’ overhaul. For those with Windows tablets, they can’t come soon enough. Microsoft has confirmed that a version is in the works for the iPad too, although that’s expected to arrive later.

Microsoft Windows ‘Threshold’
With Windows 8.1, Microsoft succeeded in delivering a comprehensive update that addressed many of the criticisms that were leveled at its predecessor. But there is still plenty of room for improvement, and it sounds like the upcoming ‘Threshold’ update will resolve many more of the complaints that some still have about the OS.

Google Glass
Enabling you to interact with the world around you in a totally different way, Google Glass lets you get info from the web and take pictures using voice commands. You just might look an idiot wearing a pair in the next 12 months, before it takes off and everyone has them.

Big screen Apple TV
Well, it’s been talked about since 2012 and we are still none the wiser. But it would make sense to enter that market and take on rivals Samsung and Sony.A touchscreen telly backed by iOS and all of Apple’s apps and games would be a massive disrupter in the TV space.

4K TVs
When we switched from normal telly to high-definition, the change in picture quality was massive.
Now imagine taking that up a few notches further and moving from HD to Ultra HD or 4K.
Internet of things
This catch-all term for appliances in our home talking to each other is yet another buzzword but it will come further to fruition in 2014.It speaks of a world where washing machines, fridges, kettles and ovens connect to the internet and can be controlled via mobile phones or tablet computers.
Nice stuff to see in action right? Just remember to do a little of traditional things in the digital future you are eagerly awaiting to enter with all of these “hot” stuff above.