Gadgets to look out for

With the world of technology evolving at a rapid pace, 2014 witnessed a sea change in terms of the gadgets that arrived to the party. In more ways than one, they have changed the way we lead our lives and have simplified a lot of things. The advent of low-budget smartphones has probably been the biggest subject of discussion this year. It has ensured most of us stay connected 24x7.

Several years ago, if you were new to a city, it would have been a Herculean task to figure things out. But now, your smartphone can take care of most of the issues. Sounds simple, doesn't it?

We can't predict the future, but we can tell you about the kind of devices that could hit the market soon.

Smart watches and fitness bands: There were a number of smart watch launches this year, but the biggie, the Apple watch, comes only next year. We expect better-designed smart watches to follow the Watch. If fitness bands came into their own this year, this just might be the next big thing in 2015. With increased emphasis on fitness, companies are likely to bring out several wearable devices to capture the consumer's imagination.

Bigger and better; some cheaper, too: Mobile devices are set to get bigger (and better). According to some news reports, Apple might soon bring out a 12-inch version of the iPad, called the iPad Pro. We'll see firms launching the "thinnest" devices, while HTC is sure to give Apple some competition. As for the budget segment, Microsoft's first Lumia device, along with several Android launches, has lowered the price point for smartphones and one can expect a lot of action in this segment

Hybrids and other form factors: We've had 2-in-1 devices for some time, with the tablet versions becoming lighter and more powerful and we expect the trend to continue. One can also expect screens that bend, like the one (the world's first foldable AMOLED display) Samsung reportedly showcased privately at CES 2014. The Note Edge adds a new dimension to the display, but the flexible display could be a game changer.

Higher resolutions, better transmissions: If 2014 saw the launch of several 4K televisions, TataSky had wowed many when it had showcased a 4K broadcast during the Fifa World Cup. Rumours say this new standard could see a wider rollout this year and along with 4G communications (we expect a lot of handsets with this capability being launched) could define the devices in the days to come.