New trends will always come and go: that’s the nature of the internet! With a predicted amount of more than 5 billion internet users by 2020, it’s becoming more and more important to develop new ways to access information, knowledge, and ideas.
Keeping a sharp eye on these trends is what allows us to provide our expert services that have been driving real results to some of the UK’s biggest brands. The following trends have already started to emerge and will, undoubtedly, continue to evolve to transform the future of internet technology.
A Decentralised Web
Analysts believe that we’re moving towards Web 3.0 – the decentralised Web. This concept exists to take power away from major corporations and give it back to users. We’ve already seen a few steps taken towards giving users power back, with GDPR regulations recently coming into effect.
Data will easily be shared and revoked between users, being interoperable. This means that companies won’t just store historic data, users will be able to take it with them to other companies. A decentralised structure allows for investors to invest directly in technologies and not the companies using them.
Investing in fundamental internet building blocks, such as FTP or HTTPS, will be possible with a decentralised internet. With consumers already shifting their preferences towards a decentralised web world, it seems inevitable that (good) change is coming, which will allow the internet to keep growing.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and IoT
Artificial intelligence is a marketing automation technology that has already been providing businesses with expert solutions, and it’s only predicted to grow even stronger. From IoT to chatbots, artificial intelligence is here to stay.
The technology is already being developed for web design and development, with AI algorithms capable of building websites. Machine learning can take it a step further by taking advantage of user analysis to predict user intent and to create a tailored experience.
The Internet of Things, also known as IoT, will allow for the internet to become more than a simple network of computers. In the future, the internet will become a network of devices centred in the automation and enhancement of both processes and infrastructures.
Together, both AI and IoT will allow for service-focused strategies: IoT will provide businesses with expert data for intelligent trade-offs, while AI will make use of intelligence to make the right choices.
Motion User Interface
Motion user interface (Motion UI) was originally developed for mobile apps, however, the amazing customisation skills of this technology is allowing developers to add an extra touch of storytelling to projects. Websites of the future are expected to have things like:
- Animated or dynamic charts
- Modular page scrolling
- Background animations in slow motion
- Transitions
- Series animations
- Progress CTA buttons
Motion UI helps web developers to create rapid prototypes of animated elements. These can be seamlessly integrated into websites to create transitions, CSS animations, and Sass mixins. Motion UI allows for a design that has:
- Personality. Motion UI allows for consistency while conveying personality, engaging the user and offering innovative motion solutions.
- Animations. With CSS animations that display content with stunning yet subtle movements, eye-catching CTAs and other processes can be created.
- Orientation. Users’ flow of actions should be properly oriented and guided, with Motion UI establishing the physical space of an app to decide which objects come into focus or off the screen.
- Motion modifiers. Simplicity for a better functionality is at the centre of Motion UI. Developers can create base animations such as scale, spin, slide, and hinge and apply motion modifiers that affect iteration speed, delay, ease, and direction.
- Responsiveness. Responsive web design and intuitive layouts are essential in Motion UI, with every reaction complementary to users’ actions.
- Emotion. Motion UI should evoke positive emotional reactions from users, either from well-executed animation transitions or a smooth scroll.
Virtual and Augmented Realities
Virtual reality has a stunning capability of providing unique user experiences. The technology is making a transition from the gaming industry (with Oculus Rift, for example) to digital marketing. Companies such as Google have started to work on APIs that allow users to be immersed in virtual worlds. With the technology predicted to keep evolving, the future of virtual reality is bright.
Big Data
With the IoT connecting massive amounts of data on a global level, Big Data represents the colossal sets of data that can be analysed to identify valuable trends and patterns. But just what is Big Data? There are four main components that data must have to fall under the Big Data umbrella:
- Variety
- Volume
- Veracity
- Velocity
Due to the impact that data will have because of the IoT, businesses will have to continue to invest in the Platform as a Service model. Any disruptive technology demands new infrastructures, operating systems, software, and hardware for real-time data analysis at such volume.
This is a cloud-based solution that allows for scalability, flexibility, sophisticated architecture, and compliance. There are three types of cloud storage that can be used, such as private, public, or hybrid. Sensitive data will benefit from private cloud solutions, particularly when under regulatory compliance requirements.
Analysing data is essential to extract and manage the value that IoT brings. This is where we can help you to maximise performance and future growth, with processes such as metric calculation, event correlation, analytics, and statistics preparation.
Cybersecurity issues will remain a concern due the high volume of data and connected devices, and businesses need to be prepared to address potential breaks into connected systems. One thing is certain, however: IoT and Big Data will remain closely intertwined and will create new, exciting solutions and opportunities.
