#predictions2015

It's that time of year when everyone who has a blog or a LinkedIn presence lays out their predictions for the coming year.

A couple of people have asked me if I'm going to write anything about innovation or technology trends in 2015, and to be honest I wasn't going to bother. 

My problem with these kind things is twofold. Firstly, I'm not convinced anyone cares. When all is said and done, predictions are either wildly inaccurate and secondly (as is more often the case) they tend to be a simple extrapolation of how things were in the preceding year, but with more flashing LEDs.

The truth about the really interesting stuff that will have you spluttering your skinny latte over your iPad in 2015 is that no one knows what it will be. The really innovative breakthroughs and clever applications of emerging technology will be unexpected - that's the point.

I am however, interested in what people think the next year will hold. Mainly because if people think that something is coming, or they have an expectation that something will make their lives easier then the true challenge of innovation, user acceptance, has already happened.

The great misconception about what I do is that I have some kind of inside track on what's coming out of the minds of all those geniuses out there. My colleagues often ask me what the next big thing is. The truth is, it's my friends and coworkers who feed me most of the information on exciting developments in the world of tech. 

So with this thought in mind, I challenged a few of my colleagues at TMW Unlimited to tell me what they thought was coming next year (spoiler: the answer is still wearables).... 

Alex Burley - Managing Partner Client Services. 

"Obviously wearables will continue to gain acceptance - what really interests me is how this will feed into the growing obesity problem and the trend for health monitoring tools."

Sophie Mindel - Community Manager (Durex) 

"I want to see how [smart] watches will develop so the actually start to look nice." 

Chris Freeland - Joint CEO 

"More relevant wearable tech. Is that a boring answer?" 

Luke Clark - Senior Art Director 

"The big issue for next year will be what is digital and who does what in the marketing ecosystem. It's a land grab at the moment with PR agencies and media agencies all trying their hand at being digital marketing agencies. Oh and probably something about wearables." 

Natalie Price - Creative Production Assistant (and founder of Proximity - wearable tech for alzheimer sufferers) 

"Anything that takes current technology [such as iBeacons] and makes a real difference to people's lives." 

And me? The more our lives are enhanced and augmented by technology, the more I want to surround myself with quality, crafted items and more natural experiences. It may well be my age, but I get excited by the thought of a walk in unspoilt woodland wearing a good quality waxed cotton jacket and a lovely comfy pair of Vivo Barefoot shoes. 

Instead of resolutions, Tom Asacker offers 9 predictions meant to challenge you. Do better, and be your greatest self all through 2015, and you will prove him wrong.

For example,

3. Most people will sit quietly in their seats and watch life unfold around them. 

A New Yorker magazine cartoon made it comically clear: There’s a lot that we all want to experience, but not much that we actually want to do. Most of us simply want to go along to get along and enjoy the ride. Well, the ride is slowing to a crawl. And when it starts back up, it’ll be a much different ride. What kind of ride? The best way to know that is to put yourself in charge of creating it. Grab the wheel and get moving. Let the pull of what excites you and what you care most deeply about be your guide.