Daily Archives: December 31, 2021

The new year brings with it many of the emerging technology trends seen in 2021, including the next phase of the Internet and the metaverse, but it may also spark a human renaissance where we question the role of technology.

Euronews Next looks at what is in store for 2022.

Web3 was 2021s buzzword and in 2022, we can expect companies will try and jump on the bandwagon for this decentralised vision of the Internet.

Web3 is defined by the technology of blockchain, the same system used by cryptocurrencies and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) but aims to use an egalitarian philosophy to cut out the Internets central gatekeepers such as Google and Facebook.

We are not officially in the Web3 phase of the Internet but the blocks are currently being built. In 2022, we can expect more companies will try and dip their toes into Web3, including Meta, Facebooks parent company.

Meta is aiming for deep compatibility with blockchain technology, according to a New York Times report, citing an internal post to employees from a Meta top executive.

My overall guidance is to target a deep compatibility with the blockchain, wrote Andrew Bosworth, Metas chief technology officer (CTO).

There arent many places where I expect us to depend on it exclusively yet, but if we see an opportunity to work jointly with entrepreneurs in the Web3 space I expect it will be worth the effort.

NFTs also exploded onto the tech scene in 2021. This year, we can expect NFT2.0.

In November, the Dutch Blockchain LTO Network revealed an upgrade called Titanium, which solves the issue of current NFTs, which is that most assets cannot be fully possessed and have to be traded through a third party.

As expected, more companies will also be putting their efforts into the metaverse, the virtual reality and augmented reality world where we can play games, work and socialise.

Though in its early stages, the technology is developing at breakneck speed. Many virtual reality worlds, such as Metas, require headsets.

But this could soon develop into augmented reality glasses or even contact lenses.

According to insiders, Apple is working hard on this technology and is predicted to release its own headsets in 2022. Media reports have also suggested Apples headsets could include eye tracking and cameras that could blend VR and AR together.

The whole discussion about the metaverse is essentially telling us that we can live in a virtual space using an avatar and we don't need a body, futurist Gerd Leonhard told Euronews Next.

While he said he sees potential benefits in the metaverse, for example in the workplace, there could be a human renaissance.

I see a discussion saying the metaverse is all very cool. But nobody wants to get married in the metaverse. Well, there are people who are interested, but nobody wants to get married to a robot in the metaverse, Leonhard said.

Technology is just a tool and its not the purpose. I think theres going to be a renaissance in the sense of people saying, we're going to rethink this to see if it's actually good for your life.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning will continue to grow and increasingly so in companies.

AI can help in fields such as healthcare, however, as data is critical for building AI systems, there may be more discussion on how data is acquired and used.

We have steep development in artificial intelligence so that computers can start to kind of sound like they're making sense, said Leonhard.

All of this leads to one final destination, which is to say that humans can be somewhat created, artificially or copied, or that machines are getting closer to being more like humans.

Cloud technology has been the saving grace for many businesses that have shifted to remote work since the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to grow.

In Deloittes Tech Trends 2022 chronicles, it said automation - such as the cloud, robotics and AI - is the emerging key to sustaining and enhancing operations, which can also empower workers.

I think tech companies are really recognising that automation is the key to freeing time to be more customer-obsessed. And that's where tech companies are winning today, Mike Bechtel, chief futurist and Managing Director at Deloitte Consulting LLP, told Euronews Next.

By examining the lessons learned in the past and applying advanced technology to solve the problems of today, organisations will be able to engineer a better future.

Read more here:
Web3, NFT2.0, the metaverse and a human renaissance: The tech trends to watch out for in 2022 - Euronews

Every week, we present a curated list of live music in a wide range of genres all around the Valley. This week, there are Christmas concerts, New Years Eve music events and more.

Mannheim Steamroller ChristmasTuesday, December 28 at ASU GammageChip Davis brings this vaunted musical holiday tradition to Tempe. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 28 at ASU Gammage, 1200 S. Forest Ave., Tempe, asugammage.com. Tickets cost $40-$125.50.

Injury ReserveWednesday, December 29 at The Van BurenTempe rap group Injury Reserve takes the stage. With Slauson Malone 1 and Zsela. 8 p.m. Wednesday, December 29 at The Van Buren, 401 W. Van Buren St., Phoenix, thevanburenphx.com. Tickets cost $22.25.

Jim Brickman: The Gift of ChristmasWednesday, December 29-Friday, December 31 at Musical Instrument MuseumPianist Jim Brickmans musical style crosses genres from country to pop. His vocal collaborations include songs with Carly Simon, Kenny Loggins, Olivia Newton-John and more. 6 and 8 p.m. Wednesday, December 29-Friday, December 31 at Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix, mim.org. Tickets cost $49.50-$69.50.

New Years Eve with FuturisticFriday, December 31 at Crescent BallroomTempe-based breakout rapper Futuristic holds his album release party for Dont Wanna Be Famous. Featuring Khiry, Toure Masters, Samara Cyn and more. 7:30 p.m. Friday, December 31 at Crescent Ballroom, 308 N. 2nd Ave., Phoenix, crescentphx.com. Tickets cost $20-$200 plus fees.

Maybe 2022 Will Be Better FestivalFriday, December 31 at The CompoundNumerous local music artists perform at this festival, which also features a visual arts exhibition. Playboy Manbaby, Djentrification, and Grackle Beats are among the performers. 8 p.m. Friday, December 31 at The Compound, SE corner of Farmer and University, facebook.com/The-Compound-102937626493538. Admission is free.

Live Jazz at Wrigley MansionFriday, December 31 at Wrigley MansionThe formal dining room at the Wrigley Mansion hosts intimate jazz shows every Friday night. On New Years Eve, the trio scheduled to perform is Beth Lederman (piano/keyboard), Dwight Kilian (upright bass) and Dom Moio (drums). Friday, December 31 at Wrigley Mansion, 2501 E. Telawa Trail, Phoenix, wrigleymansion.com. Reservations required.

Read more:
5 Concerts to Check Out this Week (December 27-January 2) - phoenixmag.com

Welp, it looks like not even your favorite boy bands are safe from Omicron.

Cases of the COVID-19 are surging across the globe as the highly transmissible Omicron variant becomes the most dominant strain of the virus. With an increase in travel due to the holiday season, it resulted in a perfect storm impacting flights, hospitals, sporting events, and even K-pop megastars BTS.

BTSs management company Big Hit Music announced that members Suga, RM, and Jin tested positive for COVID on Saturday following a string of concerts performed in the US, The New York Times reports. All three members are fully vaccinated as of August.

Suga discovered he was infected last Thursday after returning to South Korea and quarantining. On Friday, he wasnt displaying any symptoms and continued to quarantine himself at home, according to the newspaper.

The multibillion dollar band wasnt alone in their COVID troubles. Over Christmas weekend, thousands of flights were cancelled due to a surge of COVID cases amongst airline crews.

More than 1,300 flights were cancelled in the US on Sunday alone, the Times reports. This is despite the fact that the number of Christmas Eve and Christmas travelers were nearly double from last year.

Hospitalizations have also been rising precipitously as cases rise higher than last years winter peak. As of Monday, more than 73,000 patients are being hospitalized for COVID in the US on average, per the NYT coronavirus database.

While that number is still below last years hospitalization rate during the same time frame, its still disconcertingly high.

Luckily, there is some hope in our bleak winter. On Sunday, the nations top infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci said that there is a lesser degree of severity with the Omicron variant.

However, he stressed that the tens of millions of Americans who are unvaccinated are most at risk for the new variant.

Those are the most vulnerable ones when you have a virus that is extraordinarily effective in getting to people and infecting them the way Omicron is, Fauci told ABC.

So mask up, avoid large indoor gatherings, and get vaccinated if you havent already. If not for yourself, then at least do it for your favorite K-pop band.

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More:
Omicron Continues to Wreak Havoc on Flights, Hospitals, and Worst of All, BTS - Futurism