Tafrija Issue 02 Issue_02_Tafrija_2018 | Page 10

10 Emerging trends in technology In this edition, we introduce you to two breakthrough technologies we are likely to see in 2018. We expect that the 3-D Metal Printing and Babel-Fish Earbuds will have a profound effect on our lives. Babel-Fish Earbuds 3-D Metal Printing In this century, it’s almost unacceptable that language barriers in communication still exist. The reality is however, that indeed, globally, we still do experience challenges when communicating. Not for much longer though…Google has come up with a $159 solution – a pair of earbuds called Pixel Buds. These work with its Pixel smartphones and the Google Translate app where a smart voice assistant, gives a real-time translation. The Pixel Bud supports translation of up to 40 different languages. Even though printing on metal has in the past been expensive and slow in picking up, if widely adopted, this will change the way several products are mass produced. Gradually however it is becoming increasing popular and cheaper and might just as well potentially become the most practical way to manufacture parts. With traditional manufacturing, making metal and plastic objects can be a wasteful process, given that plenty of c