# The future is here: 2016 has enough to keep tech geeks excited (HT Tech) > # The future is here: 2016 has enough to keep tech geeks excited Dec 31 2015, 17:22 IST ![Follow on Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/follow-us-facebook.png) ![Follow on Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/follow-us-facebook-hover.png) ![Share](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/Share.png) ![Share](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/Shareclicked.png) ![Share on WhatsApp](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/whatsapp.png) ![Share on WhatsApp](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/whatsapp-hover.png) ![Share on Twitter](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/twitter.png) ![Share on Twitter](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/twitter-hover.png) ![Share on Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/facebook.png) ![Share on Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/facebook-hover.png) ![Bookmark](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/Bookmark.png) ![Bookmarked](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/Bookmarked.png) ![image caption](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/rf/image_size_800x600/HT/p2/2015/12/31/Pictures/_9010c9f0-afb3-11e5-8782-a7e1fa0485da.jpg) Spiral 2 ![Author Photo](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/HTTech-new-circle-logo.png) ### By SNEHA MAHALE There was a time when hoverboards and robots were popularised by sci-fi movies as the technology of the future. Well, that future has now arrived. From robots taking over the world to bots akin to Samantha from the film Her (2013) in the offing, 2016 has enough to keep technology buffs excited. Internet bots gain popularity Internet bots are software applications that run automated tasks. Lately, companies have begun experimenting with more creative variants that help boost productivity and keep track of what others are doing. There is buzz on the web about Microsoft's experimental Mandarin-language bot, Xiaolce, much like Samantha from Her. Experts also believe that 2016 is when bots will enter newsrooms to tag articles in real time, help users manipulate social media to their benefit, and even come to the aid of HR managers looking to train new recruits. Modular phone hits shelves: Google's Ara project aims to create a smartphone made up of several pieces, each corresponding to one of the components of the phone: processor, memory, camera, microphone, 3G chip. In early 2015, a prototype, referred to as Spiral 2, was presented that was supposed to be sold in several test markets. However, the heads of the project ultimately pushed its launch to 2016, explaining via Twitter that it required more tests and simulations than expected. The phone in expected to finally see the light of day this year. Also read click here. Bluetooth-powered beacons have slowly gained popularity in the real world ( ) ![image caption](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-245-140.png) Bluetooth-powered beacons have slowly gained popularity in the real world ( ) Homing in: From shopping malls and hotels to museums and airports, Bluetooth-powered beacons have slowly gained popularity in the real world. These devices track the location of a smartphone or a smartwatch, and send real-time notifications. Experimental in 2015, these beacons are all set to go mainstream in 2016, offering tailored deals and personalised messages to the user as well as the next level of marketing and promotions to companies. ( ) ![image caption](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-245-140.png) ( ) RIP password: The transition started in 2015, and this could be the year when the world finally does away with the password. With biometrics catching on with the makers of smartphones, laptops and tablets as well as the buyer, eye scans and fingerprint sensors are set to become the norm. So, the time to remember multiple passwords for various digital accounts could soon be a thing of the past. ( ) ![image caption](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-245-140.png) ( ) Bio-ware: After years of discussion on whether or not they will make a mark, wearables finally arrived on the technology scene in 2015, with sales growing phenomenally. Experts believe that biosensing wearables, the next generation that will be used to track heart-rates, fitness levels, body temperature and a whole lot more, could slowly start gaining momentum in 2016. Research and experimentation has already started for smaller, lighter, and more efficient devices. The emerging concept has already attracted many major companies: Chaotic Moon is developing a temporary tattoo called Tech Tats. Containing electronic components, including a microcontroller and LED lights, it can detect if you're stressed and monitor blood pressure, and then transmit all that data through electroconductive paint. ( ) ![image caption](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-245-140.png) ( ) Print run: Last year was a turning point for 3D printers, with the biggest growth in printers that retail for under USD 1,000 (approx. ₹66319.95). High-quality products, like the Dremel Idea Builder, became available at competitive prices. Manufacturers like the German 3D Freesculpt or the American XYZprinting launched inexpensive models, and brands like Discovery 200 even cut their prices. But in 2016, according to research company Gartner, around 4,96,475 3D printers are projected to be sold globally, which is more than double the forecast for 2015. So smart: Virtual assistants on today's smartphones are smarter than ever before. But the Siris, Cortonas and Google Nows of the mobile world still have to be told what to do before they start working on a task. However, research has already started on AI (artificial intelligence) advances that will allow virtual assistants to understand tasks we're working on. In fact, Hsiao-Wuen Hon, corporate vice president of Microsoft Research Asia, has said that 2016 will see "significant adoption of artificial intelligence for personal assistant services". ( ) ![image caption](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-245-140.png) ( ) Robots take over the world: Task-oriented robots assigned to take over household chores, such as lawn mowing or vacuum cleaning, are set to become increasingly popular over the next few years, according to figures from Juniper Research. And with Softbank's Pepper, Buddy from Blue Frog Robotics and other robots set to become more widely available in 2016, more consumers could be open to welcoming robots into their homes. Catch all the Latest Tech News, Mobile News, Laptop News, Gaming news, Wearables News , How To News, also keep up with us on Whatsapp channel,Twitter, Facebook, Google News, and Instagram. For our latest videos, subscribe to our YouTube channel. 31 Dec, 00:00 IST 71,589,382,215,766 NEXT ARTICLE BEGINS ![View all](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/view-all-icon.png) ## Tips & Tricks ![Ghibli-style art](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### How to turn your photos into Ghibli-style art with ChatGPT for free: Step-by-step guide ![How to create an invitation using iPhone’s new Apple Invites app- Step-by-step guide](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### How to create an invitation using iPhone’s new Apple Invites app- Step-by-step guide ![Apple TV app arrives on Android phones and tablets: What you get and how to install it](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### Apple TV app arrives on Android phones and tablets: What you get and how to install it ![Vodafone Idea OTT plans](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### Vodafone Idea users can now stream 17 OTT apps with one subscription: Here's how ![Android data transfer methods](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### How to transfer data from one Android to another using Google backup, USB-C cable, and more ## Editor’s Pick ![iPhone 16e launched with A18 chip, Apple AI—bringing flagship power on a budget: Check specs, price](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### iPhone 16e launched in India: All details about the new budget mobile from Apple ![DeepSeek was founded in China with only a fraction of the budget of the top AI companies in the US.](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### DeepSeek AI: How it works, who’s behind it, how it’s different from ChatGPT, and its big US market impact explained ![iPhone 17 Air likely to get this feature that iPhone 17 Pro models may miss out on](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### iPhone 17 Air likely to get this feature that iPhone 17 Pro models may miss out on ![Google Whisk AI explained: How remixing works, availability, and how it differs from Gemini](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### Google Whisk AI explained: How remixing works, availability, and how it differs from Gemini ![iOS 18.4 beta arriving soon: Know why it is the biggest iPhone update](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### iOS 18.4 beta arriving soon: Know why it is the biggest iPhone update ## Trending Stories ![Airtel 5G SIM card will now be delivered in 10 minutes with Blinkit- How to order](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### Airtel 5G SIM card will now be delivered in 10 minutes with Blinkit- How to order ![Infinix Note 50s 5G+](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### Infinix Note 50s 5G+ set to launch in India with 64MP camera and MediaTek Dimensity 7300 SoC ![Xiaomi X Pro QLED Series sale starts in India: Check price, availability, and more](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### Xiaomi X Pro QLED Series sale starts in India: Check price, availability, and more ![Apple Intelligence AI training](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### Apple plans to train AI using your on-device data without accessing personal content or emails: Report ![CMF Buds 2](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### CMF Buds 2 key features and price revealed ahead of April 28 launch: Details inside keep up with tech ![Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/tech-facebook.png) ![Twitter](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/tech-twitter.png) ![WhatsApp](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/tech-whatsApp.png) ![Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/tech-facebook.png) ## Gaming ![Check out these five gaming monitors under ₹20,000,](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### Top 5 gaming monitors under ₹20000 you should consider ![gaming consoles](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### Grab gaming consoles at discounted rates during Amazon Great Indian Festival: Up to 72% off ![Pokémon GO Wild Area 2025](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### Pokémon GO Wild Area 2025 to bring Grimmsnarl family, Shiny Hatenna, and global challenges ![Shade Silver](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### Shade Silver free on Steam for a limited time: Here’s how to get it ![Call of duty](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/ht-tech-bg-img-90-66.png) ### Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 skips Switch 2 at launch, release date and price leak ![View all](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/view-all-icon.png) ## Trending News ### Airtel 5G SIM card will now be delivered in 10 minutes with Blinkit- How to order ![Airtel 5G SIM card will now be delivered in 10 minutes with Blinkit- How to order](https://images.livemint.com/static/static/1x1_img.gif) ### Infinix Note 50s 5G+ set to launch in India with 64MP camera and MediaTek Dimensity 7300 SoC ![Infinix Note 50s 5G+](https://images.livemint.com/static/static/1x1_img.gif) ### Xiaomi X Pro QLED Series sale starts in India: Check price, availability, and more ![Xiaomi X Pro QLED Series sale starts in India: Check price, availability, and more](https://images.livemint.com/static/static/1x1_img.gif) ### Apple plans to train AI using your on-device data without accessing personal content or emails: Report ![Apple Intelligence AI training](https://images.livemint.com/static/static/1x1_img.gif) ### CMF Buds 2 key features and price revealed ahead of April 28 launch: Details inside ![CMF Buds 2](https://images.livemint.com/static/static/1x1_img.gif) ## Trending Gadgets Mobiles Laptops Tablets ![HT Tech](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/HT_tech-new.gif) - https://tech.hindustantimes.com/tech/news/the-future-is-here-2016-has-enough-to-keep-tech-geeks-excited-story-KWB1sTpF4M8mlVm2G0k4LI.html