Published on March 21st, 2020 | by Sunit Nandi

5 Breakthrough Consumer Technologies To Expect in 2020

Back in 1964, Bob Dylan famously coined the lyric ‘the times they are a-changin’, and that’s certainly no less true in today’s world. Over the past few decades, technology has absolutely exploded in terms of both popularity and ingenuity. Nowadays, terabytes of data can be stored on hard drives the size of a dice, while smartphones can function as a phone, games console, digital camera, diary and PA combined.

What’s perhaps more remarkable though is that this trend doesn’t look like slowing down any time soon. With the rise of artificial intelligence on the horizon and scientists always on the lookout for the next big thing, technological advances only look set to continue over the coming months and years.

With this in mind, we take a detailed look at some of the key breakthrough technologies to keep an eye out for in 2020. From fashion to gaming, here are five consumer-focused technological advances to look forward over the coming year.

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1. Watches

The world is already obsessed with smartwatches, being able to keep track of their steps, calories and receive smartphone notifications in a swift twist of the wrist, and that doesn’t look set to change as we move through 2020. In fact, if anything, it looks set to hugely accelerate, with the likes of Apple and Google having heavily invested in the industry over the past 12 months.

Away from smartwatches specifically, traditional watches – like those from Rolex, Tag Heuer and GaGà Milano – look set to become more technologically advanced over the coming year as well. The recent release from Omega, for instance, was found to smash the world record for deep-sea diving back in June, reaching a summit of almost 11,000 metres. Technological advances like this will only become more honed and technically superior as the year moves on.

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2. Folding Phones

Folding phones may be nothing new but folding smartphones certainly are. While they may have been talked about for several years, 2020 looks set to be the year where mobiles with foldable screens finally hit the mainstream.

Following the release of Samsung’s Galaxy Fold back in September 2019, other major brands like Huawei and Motorola have started to come up with their own innovative designs, pencilling in release dates for later this year. Designed to offer consumers the freedom to use a larger screen when required and multiple apps at the same time, this technological trend will certainly be one to watch.

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3. Streaming

With Disney+ set to be released on March 24^th in the UK, streaming services look set to take over more so than ever before. After all, there is already a huge debate as to whether the BBC license fee is actually worth the money, largely brought on as a result of streaming services’ meteoric rise in popularity.

Netflix, Now TV, Amazon Prime, Apple TV – each of these services now make it incredibly quick and easy for users to access content at only a few clicks of a button. As time goes on, and the world steadily becomes more integrated with AI-based technologies, these streaming services will only continue to grow and grow. Once Disney’s own bespoke streaming service has been released unto the world, it’ll be interesting to see how other providers respond throughout the year.

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4. Gaming

It’s been quite a while since either Playstation or Xbox released a new console, but 2020 looks set to change all that. Following the recent announcement that the PS5 would be released in time for Christmas, Xbox quickly announced the same, stating that their next offering – the Xbox Series X – could be expected around December.

However, just to throw a spanner in the works, 2020 will also be the year where the Google Stadia is released – a cloud gaming service designed and developed by the search engine giant. This all-new type of gaming platform offers consumers the opportunity to enjoy their favourite games without the need for a console. All you need to play, wherever you are in the world, is a laptop, a WiFi connection and a Stadia controller.

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5. 5G

If you’ve been watching the news or TV lately, you’ll probably already know that 5G networks are steadily becoming integrated within the UK. Over the coming months, that integration only looks set to accelerate, with each major network provider set to release deals that utilise their own 5G networks.

For those of you who aren’t aware, 5G will effectively enable consumers to consume content at a much faster rate than ever before. It’ll also provide telecom providers and mobile brands with the opportunity to deliver much more tailored, personable and meaningful engagements to each of its customers.

Tags: 2020, breakthrough, consumer, technologies

About the Author

Sunit Nandi I'm the leader of Techno FAQ. Also an engineering college student with immense interest in science and technology. Other interests include literature, coin collecting, gardening and photography. Always wish to live life like there's no tomorrow.