It's obvious to predict that an Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the next enormous wave for tech in 2019. The biggest tech giants in the world — Google, Apple, Amazon, IBM, Microsoft, and others have already invested millions of dollars in producing robust systems that can solve intricate problems in 2019. Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant are one of the excellent products of AI in use predicted to become more efficient and smart. Though they are terrible at telling jokes, they are expected to grow better at it in 2019. I can guarantee that you will be surprised by new technologies in 2019 which include AI-powered smart gadgets, smart TV screens, automobiles, high-tech wearables, social media features, and many more.

Ridiculously huge high-tech displays

Samsung's 146-inch TV, called "The Wall" will be available in the market this year although the cost of this massive TV is yet to be announced. A Modular (customizable) Micro-LED technology seems to revolutionize the way we watch movies and shows on TV. MicroLED, in the case of this TV, means a self-emitting TV with micrometer-scale LEDs which are much smaller than current LEDs, and serve as their own source of light. Also, I won't be surprised to see OLED technology in smartphones shortly.

According to a Bloomberg report, the futuristic LG TV that rolls itself in and out of a box could hit living rooms in 2019. When it un-rolls itself out of the enclosure, the display is carried with an almost invisible frame. LG's rollable TV can also roll itself down to better display certain videos and things like music information or the weather.

Smart gadgets for fitness and well-being

We can hope to see new improvements in fitness tech, like new and advanced sensors and special kinds of fabric to improve fitness tracking better and more efficient. For instance, Samsung's Smart Running Shoes will come with built-in sensors to that are conceivably focused towards fitness training and helping people to stay on top of their game. It's possible that these smart running shoes will work in combination with an app, with which the user can easily determine his/her fitness goals. Also, they could be guided by Artificial Intelligence so that in the long run, the training could progressively be custom fitted to the user's concerns.

Besides, we are more likely to see more of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) gadgets this year. I am also excited for Apple Watch 5, Google Pixel Watch, and Google Pixel Buds which may support real-time translation with a decent internet connection. Speaking of Augmented Reality gadgets, Magic Leap appears to take AR to another level and hence win the crowd.

Blockchain will revolutionize everything

The Blockchain is an incorruptible digital entry that conducts and records transactions through a peer-to-peer network. The lack of centralization in blockchain leaves it as ideal for eliminating the middlemen of electricity suppliers. It decreases energy inequality and inefficiency and enables consumers to purchase and trade energy from other consumers directly. The technology of blockchain with the everyday devices that we use to receive and send information stands to have a great impact on energy systems in 2019.

With the growing pervasiveness of data breaches and the massively interconnected world we live in, better approaches to verify identity and protect privacy will be game changers. Blockchain can also be used for shopping security whether online or in person, medical records security, and bank account security.

Social media apps' new features

Snapchat CEO Spiegel claims to make Snapchat "the fastest way to communicate" by advancing communications and redesigning language of the platform in 2019. Spiegel also shared a bit about the company's plans for augmented reality that the company is currently building software that takes the millions of Snaps submitted to their story and reconstructs parts of the world in 3D. They can then build augmented reality experiences on top of those models and distribute them as Lenses.

For Instagram, we can expect to have more flexible explore tab and hashtags. Instagram is also working on new features for stories and IGTV and planned to release a video production feature. "Side-Scrolling Feed Views" and "Influencer Features" are also planned to roll out in 2019. A side-scrolling format for feed viewing that's similar to the Stories format, instead of the traditional up-and-down feed. Influencer feature will offer additional analytics or features for influential, high-profile users or even every user.

Tech giant will change the way we develop technology

Most people haven't heard of Google Fuschia, an experimental open source operating system that Google has been working on since 2016 and might soon replace both Android and Chrome. It's a big deal that everyone should care about because Fuchsia's user interface and apps are written with Flutter, a software development kit allowing cross-platform development abilities for Fuchsia, Android and iOS. Flutter produces apps based on Dart (programming language), offering apps with high performance that run at 120 frames per second. Flutter also promises better graphic design and animation means better user experience.

Besides all the AI-powered exciting new technology, we are at risk of becoming mentally lazy. We are living in a world where people want a smartphone to know when they're getting ill before they recognize any symptoms. In fact, they want their virtual assistant to decide when they should visit a doctor or dentist. I'm anxious about the possibility that that critical thinking will disappear because of the overuse of virtual assistants and as a result, we may have to go to "mind gyms" to practice thinking.

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As far as I can tell, the next time I'm set to write about what's coming down the road for the new year in tech, I could very well have an AI assistant to make expectations for me.