2024 Tech Trends: Looking ahead and what to expect

Note: This feature was first published on 1 January 2024.

The end of the year is naturally a time for reflection and contemplation. And since we have already reminisced 2023 with our series of “Year in review” articles, we are now going to gaze into our crystal ball and list some of the things to look forward to in the new year. Happy New Year everyone!

1. How Neural Processing Units will transform our digital lifestyle

The AI era is upon us and 2024 is set to be a transformative year for consumer technology, with tech giants such as Intel, AMD and even Samsung heralding Neural Processing Units (or NPUs) as the “next big thing” for not just computing devices but smart home appliances too.

But what exactly is an NPU, and why should you care?

Firstly, NPUs aren’t new and Apple has been using them in its M-series chips for years now. NPUs are specialised processors designed for machine learning tasks. Unlike CPUs or GPUs, NPUs are finely tuned for the complex calculations needed in artificial neural networks, such as parallel data processing. This makes them adept at AI functions such as image recognition and natural language processing.

For instance, within a CPU, an NPU could specifically handle tasks like object detection. While CPUs and GPUs are versatile for various tasks, NPUs specifically accelerate deep learning algorithms, offering superior performance in AI applications compared to their counterparts.

In 2024, NPUs will become increasingly common, with Intel's Core Ultra (Meteor Lake) and AMD’s 8040 series processors dropping onto laptops first as a notable example. The impact of NPUs may not be noticeable for most people in the new year (with Intel and AMD’s new processors), apart from say, speeding up the blurring of the background in a Zoom call or performing AI image generation locally on your computer (you might even be able use ChatGPT offline too - here's a prototype in action).

But the floodgate has been opened, and as AI features come to more applications and devices, they may be destined to become an essential part of your digital lifestyle.

Read next:

• Is Intel the next AI champ for everyone?
• Meteor Lake: Intel’s biggest architecture shift in 40 years to deliver significant gains
• Intel's Core Ultra processors feature Meteor Lake architecture for AI and Arc graphics
• AMD goes all in with AI: New Ryzen 8040 series of mobile processors

2. Apple Vision Pro – Possibly the most important product launch of 2024

There will be few products in 2024 that will be as eagerly anticipated as Apple’s Vision Pro headset. Not only is it Apple’s first foray into the VR/AR headset space and their first all-new device since the Apple Watch, it also marks a new type of computing experience that Apple calls "spatial computing." Oh, it also happens to cost quite a lot.

The tech is undoubtedly impressive and initial impressions by those who have tried it have been mostly positive (me included), but those early hands-on and demos were highly scripted. The proof would be when the product is out in the wild in the hands of customers and the curious public. How will they respond? What will they use it for? Will it live up to its high price tag?

The way I see it, I think there’s a good chance the Vision Pro will be a quiet success at first, but it will gradually herald a new class of computing devices, especially after Apple analyses customer feedback and refines the Vision Pro. After all, the first Apple Watch didn't quite make a mark, but soon after, it became a quiet success.

Read next: 

• Apple Vision Pro hands-on

3. Proliferating artificial intelligence features in phones

I believe that artificial intelligence's (AI) most prominent showcase will come through smartphones. That's because a smartphone is readily available in most hands, and they offer more direct representation and results that can immediately enhance how we use mobile devices.

Companies like Qualcomm are adding phone components/standards like authenticators to verify imagery artificiality, while companies like Google are on a path to optimising processing resources for their consumer-AI tools in their Pixel phones. That doesn't yet include new entrants, like Samsung's Galaxy AI.

This development is greater than simply including AI tricks on a phone. The conveniences or troubles they will bring will also define the next battleground between these devices. It will also show you the true colours of your favourite technology brands, and lead you to ask how much AI is acceptable in your daily interactions. There is no one right answer.

I'd say that existing smartphone AI features (e.g., photo/video improvements and call/recording conveniences of which the Google Pixel 8 series is leading the game) will see further refinements. It's not just about delivering cute, cool, or trendy AI features. It's also about the industry finding its footing in providing relevant features. After all, what do specs and components offer if they can’t do anything more?

Read next: 

• Google's Gemini AI rollout to Pixel and Android phones
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3's AI features
• Samsung's Galaxy AI announcement
• Highlights of the Google Pixel 8's AI features and our experience
• An interview with a local AI startup
• HWZ's coverage of artificial intelligence and generative AI

4. The adoption of Wi-Fi 7 to pick up pace

With the arrival of Wi-Fi 7-enabled routers, mesh systems, and access points from brands like ASUS, Linksys, TP-Link, and Netgear, along with subscription plans from telcos like this one from Singtel using TP-Link devices, we can expect to see a rise in the adoption rate of Wi-Fi 7 in 2024.

Generally speaking, Wi-Fi 7 will reduce latency while giving users increased capacity, speed, stability, and the ability to have more connected devices at once. It does this thanks to a couple of key developments in networking technology. Multi-link operation (MLO) will, for the first time, allow a router to communicate with client devices using a combination of the 5GHz and/or 6GHz band. 

These advances should let users enjoy not only faster speeds on Wi-Fi 7, but each Wi-Fi 7 router should also be able to support more devices. This is key as we have more connected devices at home than ever before - from connected coffee machines/roasters, dehumidifiers, washing machines, ovens, robot vacuums, smart fans and more.

We can also expect to see more Wi-Fi 7 enabled devices soon with top motherboards and laptops already embracing Wi-Fi 7 support. Some of these include the ASUS ROG STRIX Z790-E Gaming Wi-Fi II, Acer Swift Edge 16, and the MSI Alpha 17 C7V. All in all, we are on the cusp of the next big shift in networking technology.

Read next:

• Everything you need to know about Wi-Fi 7
• Qualcomm's FastConnect 7800 is the first announced Wi-Fi 7 commercial product

5. More varied laptop offerings than ever before

The laptop market is rife with variety and showcasing innovations such as large foldable screens (ASUS ZenBook 17 Fold), bringing 3D screens to life without glasses (ASUS ProArt Studiobook 16 3D), full dual screens (Lenovo Yoga Book 9i), and even a detachable gaming laptop (ASUS ROG Z Flow 13). However, 2024 will possibly see a different trend with more Arm-powered laptops making headway thanks to Qualcomm Snapdragon processors running Windows 11.

But isn't that the same brand powering your top Android phones? Qualcomm designed Snapdragon 8cx Compute Platform processors to take on Intel in 2018 with the main premise being always connected and always-on, just like your smartphone. Early previews were promising, but Windows 10 was holding it back with limitations attached to it. Fortunately, Windows 11 fixed several of these concerns, including support to run un-modified 64-bit Windows applications and Microsoft has actively stepped up to support Arm-native application development and porting.

As the software front is increasingly evolving to be Arm-processor friendly, AMD and NVIDIA have now thrown in their support to develop Arm-based processors to run Windows, but specifically take aim at Apple. While this could take sometime to manifest into actual products, Qualcomm is ahead of the game with three past iterations of the Snapdragon Compute platform processors, partner wins who've delivered laptops (albeit very few made it to Singapore), and more importantly, a more powerful fourth edition dubbed the Snapdragon Elite X that's coming later this year in 2024.

Intel's Core Ultra processor based systems have launched and will soon be available locally, but what you should pay close attention to are the purported performance and power efficiency advantage. The Core Ultra boasts 11% performance uplift and 25% power savings over its current Raptor Lake (13th Gen Core) sibling in terms of top-line stats. Meanwhile, the upcoming Snapdragon Elite X boasts double the performance of Intel Raptor Lake at low power draw and over 60% less power draw at Intel's peak performance (even when using the H-series 13th Gen Core). Certainly we've to take all marketing figures with a pinch of salt and consider what tests represent these figures. But if you flatten all this out, the Snapdragon Elite X is likely going to be more power efficient than Intel's shiniest Core Ultra processor and that's going to make their vast advances for Meteor Lake (used on the Core Ultra) look a little flat.

Intel of course has the enormous advantage of manufacturing its own processors, a far more robust supply chain to keep the PC ecosystem oiled and more. We don't expect Qualcomm to pull the rug underneath Intel, but they can probably deliver the dent that will keep Intel awake at night since more will join the Arm race soon.

If that's not all, don't forget that Chromebooks are getting official support for up to 10 years starting from this year, which means you've yet another strong contender for the productivity and entertainment if you are choosing a laptop to fulfil these needs.

That said, we realise there's way too much to consider when buying a new laptop, so here's a quick branch of consideration and buying advise:-

• If you are entrenched in the Mac ecosystem and prefer not to rock the boat ==> Stick to purchasing a Macbook. Here's our essential Mac Buying Guide to help you narrow down the exact model that best suits you.
  
   
• If you prefer simplicity in management, lower costs and mostly dabble with internet-based applications (e.g. G Suite or Google Workspace) and services (Netflix, AWS desktop, etc.), Chromebooks are an interesting alternative as you don't require very powerful laptops and starting prices are low. However, don't skimp too much and ensure you get a laptop with at least 8GB of RAM for decent usage.
  
   
• For those who peg application versatility, compatibility and the desire to play a variety of games (ensure that your notebook features a decent GPU), a Windows based laptop is your ideal path. For further reading, check out what connectivity options are useful when getting a new laptop, and the practical considerations to look out for when shopping for one.
  
   

Have a Happy 2024 and look out for more developments and impactful stories on our site! -- Team HWZ.

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