Better 3D printing

NASA recently made it possible for a 3D printed spanner to be created aboard the International Space Station. Serving to highlight how far the technology has come, the feat will help propel 3D printing into a development daze. We'll be seeing controversy, regulation and even more success stories with regards to the industry. Hardware and equipment costs will fall, leading to increased access and applications in industrial, health and commercial areas. Perhaps a 3D printer won't be a realistic buy for the home in the next year, but 3D printing services will become more widespread and more accessible as regulations are ironed out.

The smart-home

The Internet of Things (IoT) has, for some time, suggested the interconnectivity of otherwise separate devices and ecosystems; connected devices improving the practicality of our day to day lives. 2015 will see the IoT come to a domestic setting in a big way – with connected devices pulling the idea of the smart home sharply into focus. Thanks to prospective pushes from the likes of LG and Samsung, the smart home market looks set for sudden growth. The industry drive may mean surges in home sensor and security products (accessed and controlled via a smartphone). But it will also mean more smart devices aimed at monitoring utilities and home systems, aiding productivity and delivering entertainment.