As the year came to an end, analysts rushed to make their technology predictions for 2014. In continuation of our two-part series, let’s take a look at what Forbes has to say about the coming year’s new technologies.

1. Apple’s TouchID will be used in new ways: With the release of the iPhone 5S, mobile fingerprint security hit the consumer market. TouchID, which uses a high-resolution camera to scan a user’s fingerprint, will allow people to keep the information they store and access on their mobile devices more secure. Chances are, you’ll see this technology integrated into other Apple products and used for other purposes in the coming year.
2. The line will blur between entertainment and gaming: New gaming consoles, such as the Xbox One and PS4, will connect players in a social media-like setting, allowing them to follow players, collaborate during games, and compete against one another. The days of passively watching a movie or sporting event will slowly become a thing of the past, as gaming integrates with television and music, allowing users to toggle between activities or engage in several types of entertainment simultaneously.
3. 3D Printing will change how things are made: As 3D printers continue to fall in price, they will become more accessible to consumers, enabling more people to create usable, multi-layered products. This customizable, cost-effective manufacturing option could compete with low-cost products from countries such as China.
4. Natural language search will grow in popularity: Intelligent personal assistants such as Google Now and Siri from Apple pioneered natural language search, and it will continue to grow in popularity as people use it more and favor it over keyboard-based searching because it is more intuitive.

One thing is for certain: Technology will continue to march on in 2014, with new advancements in entertainment, manufacturing, and mobile devices arriving throughout the year.  At GLDS, we do our best to keep a close eye on tech trends to help keep you ahead of customer demand.