Could 2016 Be The Year Big Brother Really Starts Watching Us?
According to industry watchers, IT trends will lead us to mould our gnashers around some new and emerging terminology for 2016.
First up is the “Device Mesh.”
This will reflect a greater integration in the home between computers, smartphones, tablets, TVs, cars, alarm systems and even domestic appliances, all exchanging and sharing information.
The consequence of this, it is suggested, will be new Apps for “meshing” household information together into a single, organised form.
Next, we can expect to see “Workforce Wearables” provided for “Digitised Employees.”
Employers are recognising that smartwatches and activity trackers, like Fitbit, could report back on workers’ locations or productivity, and will be looking to issue devices to their personnel.
Are the days of extra –long lunch breaks numbered because the boss will know whether stress levels are consistent with a working pace? Will diversionary trips to shops whilst on the job be eliminated? It’s starting to look likely.
The final jowl tester is “Bluetooth Beacons.”
These are Bluetooth transmitters interacting with Apps on nearby smart devices. For instance, they can replace a museum’s “headphone tour.” Download the App and wander around. Each exhibit can detect when an App user is next to it, and broadcast its own audio-visual presentation to a phone or tablet.
More disturbingly, a shop’s App could detect when products 2you might like” are nearby and deliver the full “Can I help you?” sales pitch.
All of the above will demand better security solutions that go far beyond virus protection as the risks of device breach grow alongside these extra capabilities.
Could 2016 be the year when Big Brother really starts watching us, 32 years late?
