Tech Developments to watch out for in 2023

When it comes to technological innovations and events, 2022 was the year to lay the foundations for things that will take shape in 2023 or further in 2024.

From the European Union's landmark move to make USB Type-C the common charging port for all electronic devices, starting in 2024, to the release of mobile phone chips with hardware ray tracing support, it has It's been a busy year for consumer tech.

From India's perspective, here are the tech developments to watch out for in 2023:

Decision on common charging port for electronic devices

Following the EU move, India is also considering switching to a common charging port for all electronic devices with the aim of making things simpler for consumers and reducing the huge amounts of e-waste generated in the country.

However, there is a slight difference in approach. The government is of the opinion that India should move to two types of standards: One is for mobile devices like smartphones, laptops and tablets. And another for premium phones that prevail in the country and have a large market share.

There have been frequent consultations between the inter-ministerial working group established by the Union Government and industry stakeholders. By next year, a decision on a common charging port for electronic devices is likely to be made.

The Right to Repair can become a reality

Another framework that will have a direct impact on the health of the environment and consumers is the Right to Repair.

Some manufacturers maintain restrictive policies regarding product repairs, making them and their authorized service partners the only channel available for any repair-related service that consumers request, especially for the benefit of the warranty.

Right to Repair would decentralize manufacturers' control over repairs, allowing people to repair their products, such as smartphones, laptops, cars and refrigerators, on their own without losing their warranty.

This right has been recognized in many countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union, but only caught the attention of India this year.

In its first meeting to develop a comprehensive framework on the right to reform, a government committee this year identified important sectors for implementation. These include farm equipment, mobile phones, tablets, consumer durables, and cars/automotive equipment. By the next year, the right to redress framework is likely to become a reality in India.

Fifth generation network

2023 will be a critical year for 5G. The next-generation network will be available in more towns and cities, and there will be an influx of devices in all price ranges, including entry-level smartphones, to make it mainstream.

Also, some 5G use cases such as bots, cloud computing, and cloud gaming, which have been tested and demonstrated prior to launch, may be commercialized for consumer testing.

Finally, there will be some clarity from the operators on the 5G rate plans.

Super app ecosystem

The super app allows companies to consolidate their offerings under one umbrella. These apps are popular in China and are now generating interest around the world.

In India, Tata Group officially launched its super app, called Tata Neu, this year. Next year, the country's supercharged app ecosystem will attract more names, including Asia's richest businessman Gautam Adani. Described as the "Ferrari of the Digital world" by Adani, the hyper-app will take off in the first half of next year.

Other potential entrants in 2023 could be the MyJio app from Reliance Retail, a wholly owned subsidiary of Reliance Industries, and Paytm.