Top Trends in Mobile Technology

You know the feeling. Standing in line, clutching an awesome new smartphone upgrade. You're finally hip! You're with it. Then all your dreams of being technologically relevant come crashing down as you spy a tween across the way, sporting Google Glass and answering emails from what appears to be an oversized watch.

Considering how quickly mobile technology evolves, it's common for what's hot today to become obsolete tomorrow. If you're worried about staying up to date on the latest in mobile tech, check out these top trends that are gaining fast ground in the industry.

Wearable Tech

Smartwatches and other wearable technology have been gaining popularity in the last couple of years, especially since Samsung launched its flagship Galaxy Gear line.

The Galaxy S5 debuted earlier this year, accompanied with a couple of sequels to its original smartwatch -- the Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo. Equipped with a heart rate monitor, fitness tracking, and weather resistant to boot, these gadgets have been making waves among fitness freaks the world over. The Gear 2 even has a camera!

Of course, we can't forget the highly anticipated Google Glass. Although it's been the butt of many jokes, there's no denying that Glass brings the future that much closer with every new development. You can take a photo by blinking your eyes and pull up restaurant reviews just by looking at it, for goodness sake. What more do you want?

Internet for the Masses

Currently, around two-thirds of the world's population are without Internet. Founding partners of Internet.org find this fact to be totally unacceptable. That's why they're working with major telecommunications companies to help bring Internet access to those who don't have it, whether that's due to affordability, availability, or interest.

Mozilla rallied to develop a $25 smartphone that the company hopes will help spread connectivity in emerging markets. The phones will sport Wi-Fi capability, Bluetooth, cameras, and HTML5 apps. While these phones won't see users playing games in HD or streaming movies, it's certainly a step in the right direction.

Wellness is King

Fitness apps are nothing new, but many mobile companies are taking wellness to a whole other level with truly innovative, if not a little invasive, features for smartphones and wearable technology alike.

The new Samsung Galaxy S5, for example, is rugged and intuitive. It can monitor your heart rate and use that information in conjunction with the S Health app to paint a more accurate picture of your health. Oh, and it's waterproof.

Also, Sony recently put its Lifelog app up on Google Play. It lets your Sony device track your activity, sleep patterns, where you go, and a bevy of other actions. Then, it takes the liberty of suggesting other activities based on things you've done in the past.

Thinking Globally

In years past, international phone plans have been a bit on the pricey side. The logic behind the high prices was that few Americans traveled with their cell phones, so carriers saw no need to offer affordable roaming plans.

However, some phone companies have started offering affordable global phone plans to those of us who like to border hop. The data speeds are fast enough to do all the basic browsing and social media stuff we've come to depend on, though streaming can be tough on the connection. Even so, that's what Wi-Fi is for.

A Bright Future

Mobile technology shows no sign of slowing down in terms of innovation. Fujitsu recently unveiled a new Sensory tablet unlike anything you've seen before. The screen is home to ultrasonic inducers that make the device vibrate at different frequencies to produce an unbelievable level of tactile feedback. It's able to mimic friction and even creating the sensation of raised surfaces. Mobile gaming will never be the same.

Just a decade ago, no one owned any of these incredible gadgets. An app was something you filled out for a job. Who knows where the mobile tech industry will take us next? The only answer we know for sure is that it is taking us forward.