The 17 Most Exciting New Tech Products That Will Launch Before The End Of The Year

Business Insider ^ | 07/07/2014 | Steve Kovach

[SeekAndFind]

The year is halfway over, but there's still plenty of time for new major tech products to hit the market.

Here's a look at the most important stuff we're expecting to launch before the end of 2014.

1. All eyes are on Apple's iWatch.

Apple is expected to launch its first major new product, the so-called iWatch, in October.

According to numerous reports from sources like 9to5Mac, the iWatch will focus heavily on health and fitness monitoring. For example, it'll be able to track your steps, hydration, heart rate, and other vitals. The iWatch is also said to have a screen that'll display notifications from your phone.

2. The new version of Android will make your battery life a lot better.

Google recently introduced Android L, its upcoming version of Android that comes with a nifty new design. Android L also has a feature called Project Volta that will greatly improve your smartphone's battery life.

Android L will launch this fall on Google's own Nexus smartphones and tablets.

3. iOS 8 will help your iPhone catch up to Android.

On the surface, Apple's new operating system for iPhones and iPads, iOS 8, doesn't look much different than what you're using right now (assuming you've upgraded to iOS 7). But Apple added a bunch of handy features, including several that Android users have been enjoying for years.

For example, you'll be able to install customized keyboards, respond to text Messages without opening the messages app, and add widgets to the Notification Center.

iOS 8 will be available this fall as a free download.

[Ouderkirk]

I like my iPhone the way it is. I’m not convinced that iOS8 is going to be better by giving me a bunch of functionality that I didn’t want anyway. I want the damned thing to work, which it does exceptionally well.

That’s what’s kept me with iPhone as opposed to Android. If I wanted an Android, I would have bought one.

[5thGenTexan]

There will be a lot of under the hood improvements in iOS 8.

[SamAdams76]

Apple's philosophy has always been that the customer does not know what they want - you have to show it to them.

People scoffed when the iPod came out. Nobody thought they needed a jukebox in their pocket. They also laughed when Apple came out with an iPhone that looked nothing like a phone and had no physical keyboard. They laughed even harder when Apple came out with the tablet. But in the end, they decided they needed all these things after all and Apple is making billions and billions of dollars.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

I think the high point for iPhone and iTunes working together was about three years ago. Since then, it’s gotten overly complicated and unreliable.

[doorgunner69]

[catnipman]

This is the most pathetic line up “exciting” new products since Lego announced that they’d added a polka-dot block to the set.

[gop4lyf]

My wife will be getting me a Galaxy Note 4 in February to replace my Galaxy Note 2. She just doesn’t know it yet.

[Ken H]

This is the most pathetic line up “exciting” new products since Lego announced that they’d added a polka-dot block to the set.

They DID!?! Yeehaw!

[demshateGod]

Love my iProducts, hate iTunes, syncing and all that rot.

[demshateGod]

Agreed American companies are too bust lobbying congress for regulations that will put their competitors out of business. They don’t have time for real innovation.

[Tainan]

I like that. iStole it.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Love it. A virtual poke in the i.