We recently looked back at the advances of 2017. There were a lot of changes, and it looks like 2018 will continue the momentum. So, as we wrap up 2017, it is time to start looking ahead to 2018.
Looking Ahead at Java
The big thing in 2018 is likely to be Java and all of the changes in the new version. Although Java 9 was introduced towards the end of 2017, it will take time to be implemented. There will be some pilot projects in early 2018 I am sure. However, the second half of the year should see a push for developers that have some Java 9 experience. As usual, it takes time to back in the new changes and get to a point where resources are needed for large projects in the latest technology.
A Flood of IOT
Google and Amazon have done their best to flood the market with their home devices. Whether you ask Siri, Google, or Alexa, you have a massive opportunity for new apps in the year ahead. The obvious things like weather, stock market quotes, and calendar items have been done. However, online shopping is becoming a reality through voice commands, and simple delivery is opening new doors. Nevertheless, these are just personal and home applications. We have not touched the commercial applications. Those markets are wide open.
Virtual Reality and the Cloud
The Cloud has been a hot topic for a few years. However, it has solidified (no pun intended) as a platform that companies can trust. This platform has led to all sorts of new opportunities as people become more comfortable sharing their data on the web. This data has a ton of uses even after the personal information has been stripped out to protect the innocent. Thus, “big data” will continue to be a smart bet in the years to come. On a slightly related note, we also are seeing virtual reality and image recognition improvements that will likely lead to new interfaces and a new universe of applications. Any experience in these areas will be a great way to open doors to the latest projects.
Content Management and Delivery
Searching and managing content is not as sexy as it was a few years ago, but this need has not gone away. There is far more content on the web today than any time in the past. Even worse, it is only likely to grow. That means we need to continue to find ways to quickly search for data types in piles of random content. On the production side of this equation, we also will be asked to find more ways to provide content across multiple platforms and within various contexts.
There seemed to be a sort of lull in technology a few years ago. That calm is over; we are once again on the precipice of some incredible advances. Each of these has the potential to ask us to ratchet up our ability to deliver quality products no matter the complexity of the systems. Take a deep breath and then lets dive into 2018.
