What does 2025 have in store for us gadget fanatics? A special blend of nostalgia and innovation, it would seem…
This year, innovation is shaping up to be less about flashy breakthroughs and more about revisiting and refining what we already know – sometimes with a surprising twist.
From breathing new life into old gadgets with AI enhancements to embracing the minimalist charm of less-is-more tech, 2025 promises a captivating blend of the familiar and the futuristic. Think generative AI-powered assistants, smart glasses that combine function with fashion, and even the long-dreamed possibility of flying taxis taking off.
Yet, it’s not all relentless innovation. A growing pushback against hyperconnectivity is redefining our relationship with technology. As screen fatigue sets in, some “old acquaintances” might just find their way back into our lives.
Read on for a sneak peek at the ideas set to define the next chapter in our digital lives…
Alexa Reimagined
Let’s kick things off by exploring a gadget likely to make waves in 2025: Amazon’s next-generation Alexa.
According to The Washington Post, Amazon has been busy reimagining its Alexa-powered devices, including a revamped Amazon Echo. The goal? To supercharge its capabilities with generative AI and deliver a new level of sophistication for users.
This upgraded Alexa will recognise individual voices and proactively ask thoughtful questions like, “What do you enjoy doing on weekends?” or, “Would you like to tell me more about your family?” By gathering this kind of input, Alexa can tailor its suggestions – whether it’s recipes aligned with dietary restrictions or weekend activities that match your preferences.
Similar to Apple Intelligence, which I’ve discussed in this blog, Alexa’s ability to follow up and build context over time represents a transformative leap. Interactions will no longer feel like isolated, one-off exchanges; instead, Alexa could become a genuinely useful, context-aware assistant that grows more intuitive with every use.
Originally slated for release in 2024, the rollout was delayed due to some hiccups in testing. According to SlashGear:
Amazon had initially intended to launch the more intelligent version of Alexa in 2024. This would have integrated generative AI in the same style as ChatGPT. However, tests showed that this new Alexa model, while able to improve some functions, was not as stable as the previous version and tended to mess up simpler tasks. This led Amazon to push back the launch of the Alexa AI revamp to address these issues, making a 2025 release highly likely.
Encouragingly, Amazon’s commitment to perfecting Alexa and integrating software that truly raises the AI standard suggests that 2024’s loss could very well be 2025’s gain.
Specs Appeal
Looking for something a bit more… eye-catching?
When it comes to iconic brands, few can rival Ray-Ban. But how does a classic eyewear brand fit into the AI revolution? Can Large Language Models find their place on the catwalk? It turns out they can – and they’re turning heads.
Enter Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, where cutting-edge technology meets timeless design.
Now, I’ll admit my first reaction to seeing Mark Zuckerberg modeling the early Orion prototypes was one of amusement. It felt more like Woody Allen meets Penfold than a fashion statement. But the next generation of Ray-Ban Meta have my attention.
As Jason England – writing for Tom’s Guide – notes, the latest iteration is a significant leap forward:
If you thought the multi-modal AI features were smart before, you ain’t seen nothing yet. These updates are a quiet revolution, which makes these less of a question + answer machine, and more of a legitimately helpful assistant.
The latest glasses appear to have successfully bridged the gap between futuristic tech and everyday practicality, combining smart functionality with stylish design. But just how smart are we talking?
Picture this: you’re wandering through a bustling farmers’ market. With a quick voice command, you capture a crisp 12-megapixel photo of a vibrant fruit stand with every juicy detail – all hands-free. Want to share your discovery with a friend? Simply speak, and the built-in open-ear speakers and microphones let you chat seamlessly while juggling your fresh produce.
And it doesn’t stop there. Exploring a new city? These AI-powered glasses can be your personal guide. From identifying landmarks to translating a foreign café menu in real-time, Meta AI offers a smooth and intuitive way to interact with your surroundings. Perfect for those of us determined to geek-out in style!
Tech No!
Feeling overwhelmed by the constant buzz of tech? Fear not – there’s a countertrend gaining momentum, and it’s all about doing less.
It might seem counterintuitive, but one of 2025’s most intriguing tech trends may be a movement away from hyperconnectivity. As screen time continues to dominate our waking hours, many are rethinking its impact. Research from Stanford University purports that adults spending more than two hours daily on non-work-related screen time may experience negative effects on brain health, including memory and attention issues.
And so, in this age where smartphones seem to dominate every waking moment, watch out for products like the Light Phone, which are leading a quiet rebellion. With its minimalist design and a mission to “be used as little as possible,” it could emerge as an emblem for a growing tech counterculture. This device doesn’t promise you endless scrolling or infinite apps – it promises less. Less distraction, less noise, less of the consumption that’s become the hallmark of our digital lives.
Building on the success of “quiet tech” solutions like lo-fi eReaders (think Boox Palma) and screen time managing apps like Opal, the Light Phone takes simplicity even further. Its stripped-down features – like basic calling, texting, and navigation (because, let’s face it, we’re unlikely to get addicted to a map) – challenge the idea that we need our phones to be everything, all the time. It whispers what many of us have started to suspect: maybe we can reclaim our attention.
Of course, for some, the appeal of this minimalist tech might be rivalled by the temptation to dig out that old Nokia 3310 from the back of a drawer – Snake II, anyone? But for those who want new tech to feel like old tech, they might just be onto something.
Flying into 2025
2025 could be the year of AI refinements and a minimalist tech renaissance – but what if the real showstopper is something straight out of science fiction?
Picture this: you’re stuck in gridlock, anxiously watching the clock as an important meeting in another city draws closer. Just as frustration peaks, your ride-share app offers a surprising solution: a flying taxi. Minutes later, a sleek craft – part sports car, part aircraft – lands nearby. With a gentle hum, it lifts off vertically, rising above the congested roads, cruising effortlessly toward your destination at a cool 200 mph.
This isn’t a dream – it’s a glimpse into the future of transportation. Thanks to advancements in electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) technology, companies like XPeng AeroHT and Joby Aviation are bringing us closer to the reality of flying taxis. Combining electric propulsion with lightweight designs, these vehicles aim to provide sustainable, efficient solutions to urban congestion and long commutes.
While XPeng AeroHT’s eVTOL Flying Car is designed to function as both a road vehicle and an aircraft, Joby Aviation’s aircraft takes a different approach, focusing solely on quiet, efficient electric flight with a range of up to 100 miles.
Both vehicles are powered by advanced lithium-ion batteries, use lightweight materials and are packed with safety features including emergency parachute systems designed to deploy at ultra-low altitudes.
And yet, skepticism lingers. Shortlist’s wry take on XPeng’s prototype suggests that excitement may still outpace execution for now:
You may have seen those CGI rendered concepts of flying cars and trains on stilts on social media, but XPeng has actually made one, a flying car prototype. It looks like a sports car, and a set of quadcopter propellors extend out of the rear on command. Wild. Did it actually work at the show? Of course not, but XPeng has apparently opened preorders for a different modular flying car, due in 2025.
The Times, however, is more optimistic about the chances of the Joby eVTOL, which has teamed up with a small taxi company you might have heard of:
Despite the long odds, the potential, especially for aeronautics nerds, is intoxicating. Imagine booking a trip from London to Bristol via, say, Uber. Joby bought Uber’s air taxi arm, Elevate, and plans to integrate its offering into the app.
The reality of flying taxis in everyday life may still be a work in progress, but the groundwork is being laid for a remarkable shift. With companies pushing the limits of innovation, we may soon find ourselves trading gridlock for a smooth cruise through the skies. Perhaps we’re not quite at the hoverboard stage of Back to the Future II, but 2025 might just bring us closer than ever before. Happy New Year to a future that’s looking up – literally.
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