7 Exploding Tech Trends You Need to Know About in 2022

The year is just beginning, but we already have a pretty good idea of what the tech industry will bring us. Whether it's brand new technologies or improvements to new tech that we've seen in years past, 2022 seems to be an important year for the tech industry. We've got virtual reality, Wi-Fi 6E, foldable technology, and so much more! There's a lot to expect this year, so continue reading to browse seven technology trends you should be on the lookout for.

Metaverse | A New Way of Connecting with People

Metaverse was a big surprise when Meta, previously known as the Facebook Company, announced it in 2021. The idea of the metaverse is that you'll be able to use virtual reality (VR) in your everyday life. For example, instead of going to your physical office or classroom, you'll be able to put on your VR headset and go to a virtual office that you can customize to your liking. Meta is betting heavily on the metaverse as the next big step in technology. The company announced that it would invest over $50 million in this project. Combine that with the name change—which could also be because of Facebook's reputation—and you get a new technology that we're probably going to hear a lot of this year.

VR and AR Might Become Even More Popular

Even if you don't like the idea of the metaverse, there's no doubt that virtual and augmented reality will become even more popular than they already are. Not only did Meta announce last year that it managed to ship over 10 million units of the Oculus Quest 2, its VR headset, but it seems that Apple's going to be diving into this technology this year with a new VR and AR headset. Big tech companies are starting to get into the virtual reality space, which was already pretty popular. Now, however, we might see it go to the next level.

Wi-Fi 6E | Faster, More Secure Internet Connections

Wi-Fi 6E has gained a lot of popularity in the past years, but 2022 might be the year when it becomes the new normal for Wi-Fi networks. In case you don't know, Wi-Fi 6E works by supporting the 6GHz spectrum, which opens a whole new set of channels for devices to use. This basically means that there'll be more room for devices to connect, making internet connections more secure and faster than ever before. This is a big deal for the whole world, but it's been really hard for people and devices to get used to it. Mostly because to use Wi-Fi 6E, you need both a router and a device that supports it. Mainstream devices like the next iPhone may support Wi-Fi 6E, but we'll still have to wait to see many people using this new technology.

Matter | A Better Solution for Smart Homes

Matter is a new movement to make all smart home devices work together, no matter the company behind them. This means that, theoretically, you could use Amazon and Apple smart devices combined with ease! Sure, you can try to use them together now, but Matter attempts to make it even more seamless. Of course, it'll be hard for some companies to accept this certification. But once it starts to become more mainstream, it'll make it more painless and more affordable for us to make our homes smart.

Foldable Devices | The Next Big Thing in Mobile Devices

There's no doubt that foldable devices aren't for everyone, at least right now. But as technology becomes better and more accessible, it's possible that we might see more foldable mobile devices this year. Reports and analyses predict the foldable display market will increase in the next five years, and it's expected to see a 500% growth during that time. And that's not only for mobile devices, but as foldable or flexible displays become easier to work with, companies might start using them for other devices like computers, home assistants, and whatever else they can dream up.

Ultra-Wideband | The Not-So-New Technology You Might See This Year

Ultra-wideband, or UWB, is becoming more popular thanks to tracking devices like the AirTags. In case you didn't know, this is a technology that uses low frequencies to share super precise information between devices. The AirTag and other popular trackers use this technology to let you know exactly where your lost stuff is without relying on Wi-Fi or Bluetooth alone. We might see UWB devices become more popular thanks to devices that could detect the proximity of users to trigger an action, like unlocking your doors or even turning on your smart vehicle when you're near it. The possibilities are endless, and we'll just have to wait and see what developers and companies have in store for us this year.

Immersive Entertainment Might Be Big This Year

Granted, this goes along with the boom that virtual and augmented reality has had over the last few years, but we might see the entertainment industry start taking advantage of VR as well. We've already seen how companies like Apple have tried to make entertainment more immersive with Dolby Atmos, but we might take it one step further this year, thanks to the popularity and accessibility of VR headsets. And we're not just talking about movies and TV shows, but gaming might continue to innovate with more VR experiences. Sony already announced they're working on a new VR headset for the PS5, and Xbox will not fall behind either. We still have to see how companies in the entertainment business will take advantage of virtual reality this year, but a VR headset might be a good investment in your future.