Here are some things I think we'll see talked about or happening in the coming year.

2. Wearable technology has been emerging for a few years now.
The simple beautiful design of Nike Fuel has inspired countless designers,
developers, and entrepreneurs to re-imagine fashion & function with technology.
None more so than the outdated fashion accessory of the watch.
From Samsung, to the crowd sourced Pebble watch which raised over $10 million.
You can feel that in 2014 the must have tech product will be a smart watch.
Even the car manufacturer Nissan has jumped into the ring with its gorgeous
car connected device Nismo.

3. 3D Printing has made its way into the mainstream. With costs coming down and
technology improvements we are seeing all kinds of innovations as people push the
envelope of what can be created. From edible food, to furniture, to eyewear.
We are getting closer to a time when we can just download a table the same way we
do with music.

4. It could be said that 2013 was the year
when marketers & brands finally became
comfortable using Social Media. It can
also be argued that for many it was
maybe a little too comfortable.
While agency types fawn over the next
water cooler moment that they can
attach their brand logo to, the general
public & the media are starting to cry
foul.
This fad will fade, and like sheep we can
all move onto the next big craze like
snap chat fashion shows or vine movies.

5. Studies show that kids today don’t want to own cars. Technology & apps have made
this trend a reality. Zipcar may have been first to the party, but from Uber to Lyft, Relay
Rides to Get Around the choices have never been better to forgo the whip and just
“Uber It”.

6. Craft beer has been booming for years. In fact this year Sam Adams Owner Jim Koch
became a billionaire. Cocktails have definitely grown exponentially in the past few
years. What started in the speak easy’s of major cities... with their bartenders looking
like extra’s from Boardwalk Empire; has now made its way into the suburbs and
beyond. A renaissance for drinks as spirit brands invent new flavors or import strange
liquors from overseas to quench the thirst of enthusiasts everywhere. This year there
will be continued growth to imbibe even more...

7. For every cultural event, brand, or
movement that marketers are
peddling you can be sure there is
also an accompanying hashtag.
Watch the Emmy’s or The
Superbowl and there are literally
100’s. We are definitely in the early
stages of trying to tie television &
online conversations.
The hashtag phenomenon has hit
critical mass. I I think we’ll figure out
this year that most people watching
an event do not have interest in
using the #mycharminmoment or
#TumsTime hashtag to further the
conversation. That is unless they are
talking shit about the brand.

8. What’s old is new again.
According to Digital
Music News, it’s
projected that 5.8
million vinyl records will
be sold in the United
States this year. That’s
up from one million in
2007.
This is just the
beginning with a slew of
new products in Hi-Fi
audio using analog
tubes to warm up the
sound of our cold
compressed digital files.
Millennials are leading
the charge and I think
this year we’ll see a
continued shift towards
the golden era of audio.

10. Last year Google Glass captured the imagination of tech nerds everywhere. If
only you didn’t look like such a tool wearing them. Regardless its the beginning
of Ray Kurtzweil’s “Singularity” for real. This year the release of the Oculus Rift is
going to change gaming as we know it. This will definitely be the birth of
augmented reality as we imagined it in Science Fiction.

11. What started out in the eighties with Record Clubs and Cheese of the
Month has transformed in the digital age across many sectors of
commerce.
Whether its Dollar Shave Club, Trunk Club, Bark Box or Loot Crate... If
you can imagine it there is a subscription service that will bring you a
box of cool material goods to keep you happy every month.

12. Nest has made the thermostat a
must have tech device. Lockitron
lets you control your doors with
your phone. This year you will
see plenty of new smart products
as the appliances and devices in
our homes become more
connected than ever.