The year 2021 has not disappointed when it came to tech

The year 2021 has not disappointed when it came to tech. From the magnificent Apple products- Iphone 13s to the Macbook Pro 16’ and 14’, to the Samsung Galaxy Fold phones, down to the Nothing Earphones (yes, Nothing!), 2021 has delivered in new tech.

But it could only get better.  Each year, we often get to see the extent of human imagination, sometimes for the better, at other times, well not so much. But still, the techies in the world put in work and launch new tech products and trends each year. And each year, we look forward to them.

So, below are some tech products and trends to look forward to in 2022.

Project Hazel – Razer’s face mask

Razer Blade is one of the most innovative companies out there. The company has built a name for itself in the niche community of keen gamers and they have yet another innovation to look forward to from them – the Project Hazel face mask.

An innovation inspired by the pandemic, Project Hazel is an N95 face mask with a technological twist not seen before. Razer dropped the concept earlier this year to much public enthusiasm and it’s easy to see why.

The mask looks like a modified gas mask, with two ventilators on the sides. The mask also has autosterilization to kill pathogens, meaning you wouldn’t have to wash it. It also has replaceable filters and rechargeable ventilators on its pods. These features are all intended to make it last longer and more sustainable. It is also transparent, allowing people to see your mouth move as you talk (necessary for communicating with people with hearing disabilities)

The LED lights on the pods make it look like a gadget straight from a sci-fi film. The lights are there to make your mouth visible in low light.

The product is set to launch later this year and though many see it as unlikely to take off due to the vaccination, Razer CEO, Min-Liang Tan stated that mask wearing will remain in the public for at least another two years and thus, their product is useful.

No doubt that this is a mask that many would like to own, if not for anything else, then to look cool in photo ops!

5 G becomes widespread

5G has been on the news a lot for the better part of 2020 and 2021 but not for good reason.

The network is the latest generation of mobile networks and it is the 5^th generation, hence the name.

Developed by Qualcomm, the network not only has faster speeds than any of the previous networks but it also allows for the connection of all objects, machines, and devices. 5G offers improved performances, though the current 5G in the market still offers low band 5 G frequencies, meaning that the network does not perform to its optimum, probably because many devices are yet to be built with the network in mind.

That said, 5G could become more widespread in 2022, especially in urban and densely populated areas. Areas that have been left behind in the 5G movements, such as Africa, have also begun experimenting with 5 G, and that could only get better come 2022.

The C Seed M1 Folding TV

Despite many people claiming that they do not watch TV, it is becoming apparent that the rectangle box is not going anywhere.

From curve screen TVs to ultra-thin ones, TVs have not been left behind in innovation. And now, add in the unique design of the C Seed TV design and you get brilliance; for sure, 2021 has not disappointed when it came to tech

Designed by the Porsche Design Studio, the C Seed 201 is a TV that folds and unfolds, thus saving precious space. The TV, made from sleek aluminum, is controlled by a button. At the push of this button, the TV rises from the ground, unfolds like a piece of paper to reveal an impressive 165 inch TV.

The screen is a 4K MicroLED screen, which is said to provide vibrant colors and stunning resolution, improving the viewing experience.

While it remains to be seen how this will develop, the concept already sounds so much fun. And this leads to the question – just how long will it be before foldable gadgets go mainstream?

Already, Samsung, Motorola, and Huawei are doing it with their phones, pointing to a future where foldable might just be the trend.

Improved automated cars

Autonomous cars have been all the rage for a few years now, but the progress has been slow and full of setbacks.

For many in tech, 2020 was meant to be the year of the autonomous vehicle, but that didn’t quite work out, what with the pandemic slowing everything down.

However, many companies have jumped back on track to creating fully automated vehicles that need no human intervention.

You see, vehicle automation is separated from levels 0-5. Here is the breakdown;

Level 0-2 are automated vehicles that still need extensive human intervention.

Levels 3-4 are close to full automation but require some human monitoring.

Level 5 is full automation.

Currently, the best-automated vehicles, the Teslas, are between levels 3 and 4. There is hope that trials of level 5 would be more improved in 2022. But according to Spectrum, we are unlikely to see level 5 autonomous cars until the year 2025 earliest.

But still, we look forward to it, and to many other technological advancements that could make our lives better – or at least make us look cool. Anyway, 2021 has not disappointed when it came to tech.