Four hot tech trends – and the trendsetters behind them

David Teicher of AdAge has compiled a list of what he believes to be the four hottest trends in the ever-evolving tech industry, along with the startups that are bringing these trends to life. Teicher focuses on consumer-oriented technological feats, including a number of smartphone apps. The four trends that Teicher identifies are content creation, big data, commerce and smart interfaces.

Featured startup products range from virtual payment methods to an armband that allows users to control electronic devices through hand gestures. Some standouts include:

• Condition One – The technology behind this startup’s success provides users with a window into another location via their mobile devices. The frame of reference shifts when the user moves his or her device, simulating what a user would see if he or she were experiencing the content in real life. Moving the device essentially mimics a moving camera.
• Grokr – Grokr is a smartphone search engine that predicts a user’s needs, compiling pieces of information based on previous searches and the user’s location.
• Instacart – This smartphone app challenges consumer giants the likes of Amazon by providing a same-day-delivery service. Instacart drivers armed with their own smart phones will pick up the desired items en route to the customer’s location and deliver the goods within three hours. So far, the service is only available in San Francisco.
• Leap Motion – Leap Motion, which comes in at the top of my personal wish list after reading this article, has built a motion- and gesture-control sensor that allows users to manipulate the items on their computer monitors using touchless hand gestures. The product demo looks like something out of a futuristic sci-fi flick.

These startups have created products and services that are mobile, interactive and convenient. They cater to the modern and fast-paced lifestyle that belongs to many of today’s tech consumers. The startups on this list can and will thrive because they understand their customers’ need to have every aspect of their lives integrated into a streamlined package that often fits in the palms of their hands.