The advertising world has been evolving since the first printed advert was released in 1450 and the introduction of magazines in 1741. With testing of driverless cars and technologies like Google Glass now coming into play, what’s next?
We’ve witnessed a lot of change in the last 50 years alone with mass production of colour-TVs, mobile phones and personal computers but technology is constantly changing.
In more recent years, we’ve seen the launch of 3D printing and Google Glass, and testing of autonomous mobility services begins this summer.
Power of the internet In 2012, a study revealed that the average young person (aged between 13 and 24) spends 27.3 hours each week in front of either a television or computer screen, with a huge 75.6% of the World’s population now frequent internet users.
For the younger generation who have never experienced a world without the internet, using the technology to solve a problem is a built-in function. The phrase “if you don’t know, Google it” has become common in conversation, showing that the internet is now our primary source of information. This makes it a key tool for marketers.
Technology giants When people think of search engines, they think of Google. Last year the organisation recorded its’ annual revenue at almost £60billion with paid search consuming most of the digital marketer’s budget, followed closely by SEO. Pay-per-click methods were introduced 14 years ago and are still going strong. Although adoption of PPC advertising should be limited to specific seasonality, SEO just doesn’t offer the same quick-fix results of pay-per-click.
Companies at the forefront of developing technology invest a huge amount into the industry. Last year we were all talking about Google Glass and this year it seems to be driverless vehicles thanks to companies such as Google, Toyota and Nissan. The autonomous vehicles will reduce human error and uses state of the art lasers and radars to monitor surroundings. The vehicle then processes the results to safely manoeuvre itself through city streets. Those with hearing and visual impairments may soon be able to travel confidently and independently again. It could also eliminate safety concerns over driver tiredness and the importance of driver functionality.
Following the official nod from the British Government, the UK highway code will be amended to include new automotive technology so we could be hands-free ‘drivers’ before we know it. What to look out for Nowadays automation makes our lives so much simpler and homes will soon become smarter too. Devices will soon provide better solutions to assist with our everyday routines and automated gadgets like the previously launched robotic cleaner will become standard. Home security systems are also something to look out for with a number of systems already allowing us to remotely access properties.
There has been an argument whether wearable technology will take off due to the high price tag of Google Glass but alternative smart eye-wear like Glassup will be launching later this year in competition. Although the product doesn’t function in the same way, Glassup superimposes alerts, directions and other information from the user’s mobile phone onto their right eye.