What are the Coming Technology Trends in User Experience for 2015?

Technology trends today are always evolving, and 2015 will undoubtedly be another year filled with cutting-edge innovations and standout technology. And if you look at the past years, each year was always a big year for new technology trends. This coming 2015 will be no different when the user experience face new developments, surprises, and shakeups.

Staying “Always Connected”

The biggest factor that will make headway in 2015 for user experience is Internet connectivity. This isn't just about computers, tablets, or smartphones, but rather, all types of products that can be connected to the Internet at all times. New devices will have the ability to send and receive data, display graphs on smartphones, and store it all on the cloud. Experts call this latest phenomenon the “Internet of things (IoT).”

The blurring between hardware and software

With the Internet now becoming more ubiquitous, a lot of software is now converting into web applications. Many can be downloaded for free through any mobile device or PC. For businesses, however, it makes it harder to appeal to customers because even competitors may be using the same apps. Thus, the true user experience for customer value may now boil down on who can create the better apps without the competition getting to it. Take the example of Apple and what they did with iPod and iTunes package using Device+Software+Internet+Content for their customers.

The rise of the smartwatches

This is one product that the user experience will see rise in 2015. The smartwatch is a device that features not only time and date, but also many other functions including web browsing, social media, and the ability to track user data by staying connected to the Internet and any user smartphone.

The coming of text-less communication

The biggest reason for the popularity of chat apps in mobile devices and even computers is the function that enables users to communicate just by sending icons or stickers. It has been noted that Asians, in general, love text-less communication. It is not because it is faster and simpler, but because it makes it easier to express their true feelings by showing the icon or sticker. This also is a new form of user experience that many users appreciate as it is slowly replacing costly texting and phone call bills. Of course, aside from being able to continuously chat without texting comes the ease of exchanging photos and videos without resorting to costly MMS.

Online services that can provide real experiences

If you think about some of the new and popular online services like Uber and Airbnb, you should realize that they provide a new type of real life experience. Just by using their services online, you can experience a new way to ride a taxi or stay at different places around the world. It feels like the technology has finally started serving its original role of helping people’s lives instead of taking them over.

Taking a closer look at these trends, most of these concepts are actually nothing new. Rather, most of these technologies were well developed almost a decade ago. However, by combining different technologies and platforms, these new trends are also providing new user experiences that may just make a great impact in 2015 or beyond.

Important 'Must Have' Skills that Every Tech Enthusiast Should be Familiar With

You're a technology enthusiast, and you know that there are some so-called “must-have” skills that you need to possess. Of course, the skills required for technology may vary widely from one situation to the next. However, there are some skills that are worth acquiring no matter what your area of expertise is.

Do these skills involve web development coding because it’s in demand globally? Is it perhaps cloud computing since this may be the “hybrid development of the future?” Could it be data for mobile apps? Or perhaps all you need are soft skills such as the skill of being resilient, having adaptability, and having awesome problem solving skills.

However, the first three above may be too technical for some people, while soft skills are basic work ethic skills that everyone needs whether working in IT or on a factory assembly line. Instead here are some “must-have” tech skills that all techie enthusiasts can relate to.

Quality Assurance
The quality assurance (QA) process is central to almost everything from developing software to systems and apps. While QA can be a job in itself, many organizations rely on developers, support professionals, and others to handle QA. If you don’t know anything about it, you’re shortchanging your career prospects. It is, therefore, important for every techie to have a sound QA background in whatever IT field they have.

Documentation
Producing documentation isn’t just for content and technical writers. Support professionals, coders, and other IT workers must often document their processes and products for other technology professionals, customers, and even their non-techie colleagues. Techies with sharp documentation skills have an edge.

Databases
The database is at the foundation of most software projects. The more you learn about databases, the more you’ll be able to contribute to projects with databases at their center. Support professionals often field calls from non-technical users about databases, while developers must often design software to work with databases.

Networks
Even in this age of Wi-Fi and mobile gadgets, everything is still connected especially in offices. If you don’t know the basics of networking, and if you can’t even set up and troubleshoot your own Wi-Fi network, then you need to familiarize yourself with the essentials of networking. Lacking knowledge about networks can be a red flag to potential employers. There have been numerous experiences by hiring managers and company proprietors who have complained about programmers who know everything about coding, but nothing about networks.

Microsoft Office
If you don’t know how to use Excel, let alone how to import an Excel worksheet, then that could spell real trouble for your hiring chances. Too often, too many techies don’t have a broad enough knowledge of Microsoft Office. MS Office – and at least the three basic programs in it, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint – is so pervasive that it makes sense to learn enough so that it’s not a barrier in the workplace. After all, you never know when you’ll need to write technical specifications in Word or prepare a presentation in PowerPoint.