While the content in this article was written entirely by a human, the image above was partly created using Bing Image Creator, showing just how useful generative AI can be.
Technology changes rapidly and with the start of 2024, world-changing technologies are just on the horizon (just like last year, only different ;)). With us just being in the first week of January 2024, we take a look at the Top 4 upcoming tech trends in 2024.
#1. On-device AI in more mobile UI
Last year, generative AI was the buzzword, and we foresee AI continuing to be one of the biggest upcoming tech trends in 2024. However, rather than more cloud-driven AI-based web apps, we expect that On-device AI will appear more in mobile devices, without the need to connect to the Internet for them to work. Samsung Galaxy AI is currently the biggest one to watch for their AI-assisted UI, so we’re looking forward to the upcoming Samsung Unpacked on 18 January 2024 (this is Malaysian time, for others, it’s 17 January 2024).
This will likely extend beyond just smartphones and tablets as Microsoft also launched their CoPilot last year, so we may see the chance for laptops to also join the bandwagon. ASUS recently revealed several of them including AI Noise-canceling and AISense Camera tech but we expect more generative AI features in Microsoft Windows or Office. These may help you write emails and messages, generate presentations and spreadsheets or more complex office automation, on top of the generative art Paint Cocreator feature.
#2. Consolidation of 5G
For Telcos, while technologically many are progressing with 6G research, we feel that 2024 will be the year 5G gets consolidated. Even though coverage for 5G reached over 70% in Malaysia for 2023, recently it wasn’t readily available for many Malaysian telcos (except for Yes) but even then, it still isn’t the most stable of mobile connections.
Stronger and more stable 5G in Malaysia for 2024?
Combine this 5G instability with a lack of affordable 5G smartphones and we can understand why many Malaysians just stuck to 4G last year. Granted, there are now 5G phones for under RM1000 (you can find it in our handphone search filter) but for 2024, we expect there to be more 5G phones for under RM500, which could help boost the number of those who pick up 5G capable phones.
The Malaysian government has already made it clear that 5G should be more readily available, so we expect there to be more unlimited 5G plans in 2024 and not just 4G plans with 5G boosters. Hopefully, when 100% 5G coverage has been achieved, network builders can also work on the connectivity stability issue as well.
#3. Local Malaysian EVs?
Image sourced from PaulTan.org
Malaysia’s Budget 2024 allocated 600 million ringgit for Prasarana to get 150 electric buses, so while we don’t think we’ll see any EV’s or Electric Vehicles from local car makers like Proton or Perodua in 2024, we could see those electric buses instead. As more and more EV charging stations appear, we expect more and more Malaysians to buy EVs priced at RM100K and above from BYD and Tesla.
However, most Malaysians would generally buy vehicles in the RM25000 to RM70000 range, so we’re hoping that we may soon see such Proton or Perodua EVs by late 2024 or mid 2025. Geely already has plenty of EVs in China to base Proton vehicles off of while Perodua could formally introduce hybrid vehicles on lease like the previously introduced hybrid Perodua Ativa program.
#4. The rising return of VR / AR / Smartglasses?
Early 2024 was the initial date that Apple set for the release of their Vision Pro VR headset, and here we are. Even though that’s for the US, and we’re only likely to see the Apple Vision Pro in Malaysia in late 2024 or early 2025, as a leading tech company we expect other tech companies and brands to follow in their footsteps.
However, Meta already announced a comparable VR headset with their Meta Quest 3 headset for a significantly lower price tag (from $499 or ~RM2322, compared to the $3499 or ~RM16,286 estimated price tag of the Apple Vision Pro). There are also a number of value or entry-level VR headsets such as the PICO 4 from RM1699 and so forth.
Apart from their VR headset, Meta also came out with their more stylish and less obtrusive take on smart glasses fitted into Ray Ban sunglasses. Featuring voice commands and a built-in camera, it really reminds us of Google Glass but again, with them coming from an industry leader like Meta, we expect other brands to announce their own more casual smartglasses soon.
Notable mentions
Recently, Xiaomi joined Huawei on the EV bandwagon by announcing their SU7 EV, both ahead of Apple which was also rumoured to come out with an EV as well. We expect other smartphone brands like maybe Samsung, OPPO, vivo or even realme to also announce their own EVs as well in 2024 or 2025.
On top of the rapid spread of AI and generative AI being used both by normal consumers and professionals, we expect AI laws that cover its use to be enacted soon, both abroad and here in Malaysia. As it is, there are a number of legal loopholes such as ownership (if you make generative Art, no one really owns it), identity theft and so forth that concern AI-created content.
Doesn't the ASUS ROG Phone 8 look more mainstream in this leaked image? Is that what we should expect for future phones in 2024 and beyond?
We’re also a bit worried with the recent trends coming in for smartphone brand makers as signs indicate that there may be less unique designs. This is partly fueled by the ASUS ROG Phone 8 rumours which indicate a more mainstream look and feel for what is arguably one of the best gaming phones around. Are big 6.5-inch slates going to be the standard look for smartphones starting from 2024 just because it’s the mainstream thing to do?
So that’s it for our Top 4 upcoming tech trends for 2024. Did we miss anything? Do you have some insight or wishlist for upcoming tech in 2024? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave.com
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