![\"\"](\"https:\/\/geeksonwheels.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Tech-Predictions-1024x576.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWe\u2019ve already seen the cost of RAM begin to skyrocket<\/a>, rising nearly 50 percent in the latter stages of 2025. This tech trend is expected to continue into 2026. Other components, including storage and GPUs, are also increasing in price. This is largely driven by the rapid growth of AI, which requires enormous amounts of computing power. Current supply chains are struggling to keep up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Globally, data centre capacity is expected to triple by 2030, and all of that expansion requires vast amounts of hardware. As a result, consumers are increasingly taking a back seat while large commercial clients are prioritised. Earlier this year, Micron, one of the world\u2019s leading memory manufacturers, confirmed it would stop producing its Crucial line of consumer RAM and SSDs. The company has instead chosen to focus on meeting demand for high-powered artificial intelligence hardware.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe AI-driven growth in the data centre has led to a surge in demand for memory and storage. Micron has made the difficult decision to exit the Crucial consumer business in order to improve supply and support for our larger, strategic customers in faster-growing segments,\u201d said Sumit Sadana<\/a>, EVP and Chief Business Officer at Micron Technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019ve been thinking about upgrading your device, waiting may not be your friend. Prices are unlikely to soften in the short term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Autonomous devices are going to be one of the main tech trends of 2026. They are becoming more common, from warehouse robots and cute delivery bots<\/a> to automated production lines and fully autonomous cars<\/a>. While robots have often felt like a gimmick in the past, 2026 is likely to see more meaningful adoption. This is especially true in industrial and logistics environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As AI systems improve, autonomous robots are becoming better at learning, correcting mistakes, and adapting to complex tasks. Large warehouses, manufacturing facilities, and supply chains are expected to lean further into automation to improve efficiency and reduce labour shortages. Fully driverless vehicles will continue to expand in controlled environments, such as delivery routes, mining, and transport hubs. That said, widespread consumer adoption is still likely to be slow, with regulation, safety concerns, and public trust remaining major barriers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n AI has introduced new security risks, including voice cloning<\/a>, video deepfakes, and more convincing phishing scams. However, it\u2019s also becoming one of the most powerful tools on the defensive side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n AI-driven cybersecurity systems can automate threat detection<\/a>, analyse vast amounts of data, and respond to attacks far faster than traditional tools. By learning normal behaviour patterns, AI can identify unusual activity and flag potential threats early.<\/p>\n\n\n\n AI won\u2019t replace human analysts in 2026. What we do expect is banks, cybersecurity firms, and antivirus providers to roll out more AI-powered protection features. This doesn\u2019t eliminate risk, but it does help level the playing field in what has become a constant back-and-forth between attackers and defenders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This one comes with a disclaimer: personal opinions may apply. Gen Z and Millennials are increasingly aware<\/a> that endless scrolling, shortened attention spans, and unrealistic online content can take a toll on mental health<\/a>. While people aren\u2019t about to delete every app overnight, we may see more users curating feeds, setting boundaries, or stepping away from certain platforms altogether in favour of real-world connections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2026, avoiding AI will be nearly impossible. If you weren\u2019t a fan of Microsoft\u2019s Copilot rollout, brace yourself. AI is expected to be embedded into most major apps, websites, and devices by default. From drafting emails<\/a> and managing calendars to shopping recommendations and customer support, the amount of effort required from users will continue to shrink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That said, AI fatigue is real. While convenience is a major selling point, not everyone is comfortable handing over more control, data and personal information. Expect a growing tension between automation and user choice, with people becoming more selective about when AI helps and when it gets in the way. Tech in 2026 is getting more powerful, more expensive, and more complex. From rising hardware costs to AI baked into everyday devices, staying on top of it all is becoming harder for everyday users. That\u2019s where Geeks on Wheels can help<\/a>. We make technology reliable, secure, and easy to use, whether that\u2019s through device upgrades, performance checks, security advice, or getting everything set up properly from the start. Call today<\/a> to get the help you need!<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" What tech trends do we expect to emerge or resurge in 2026? Will AI completely dominate the tech world? Will Apple finally release an iPhone that actually feels innovative? Is there ever going to be a foolproof way for Grandma to tell that a video of a bicycle riding giraffe riding is AI-generated? While we […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":19454,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[759,26,369,27],"tags":[793,794,219,11,397,792],"class_list":["post-19448","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ai","category-computing","category-digital-wellbeing","category-geek-life","tag-793","tag-automated","tag-cyber-security","tag-geeks-on-wheels","tag-new-zealand","tag-tech-trends"],"yoast_head":"\nWhat does this mean for consumers?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
More Autonomous Robots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/geeksonwheels.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Tech-Predictions-2-1024x576.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n2026 Tech Predictions – Improved Cybersecurity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/geeksonwheels.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Tech-Predictions-3-1024x576.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nRenewed Energy for the \u201cGreat Log Off\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/geeksonwheels.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Tech-Predictions-4-1024x576.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
With social feeds increasingly flooded with AI-generated content<\/a>, ads, and recycled trends, 2026 could mark a shift towards more intentional tech use. Not a mass digital exodus, but a growing desire to disengage from platforms that no longer feel rewarding.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAI Everywhere (Whether You Like It or Not)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/geeksonwheels.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Tech-Predictions-5-1024x576.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat this means for everyday tech users<\/h2>\n\n\n\n