Tech

Forgotten Innovations: Technology Advancements That You No Longer Notice

Published

5 years ago

June 10, 2020

We live in an era where technology is king and the innovations that have come about thus far, have completely changed the way we live. Sure, we don’t have time machines or flying cars just yet, but there’s no denying just how society has become accustomed to the ability to get things done faster and more efficiently because of technology. In fact, we’ve become so comfortable with technology and rely so heavily on it that we barely even notice new innovations anymore.

Have we become spoiled now from the luxuries of technology? It’s quite possible. It’s almost as though we’ve grown so accustomed to the advancements that it’s become a high expectation now, simply because we know that it’s always changing and advancing.

We’ve actually taken technological advancements for granted if you think about it… almost like we don’t appreciate innovations anymore because they’ve become the new standard. Technology advancements are like employees who feel undervalued in their jobs, so to speak.

The technologies we take for granted the most are the ones we don’t even know exist. Did you know that the production and assembly of jewelry, home decor, and even the construction of your home are done through heat staking processes? Of course you didn’t know! But there are manufacturers all over the world that use the thermoplastic joining process of a hot riveting machine to produce the parts of some of the biggest pieces of technology we use every day!

To be fair, it actually is okay if you’ve taken technology for granted… Making various technologies a daily standard and expectation is the overall goal of technology in the first place, simply because it tells the tech industry that their advancements work and are the “new norm” now… think of it as motivation to keep advancing technology.

Nonetheless, it never hurts to have a small reminder of just how far we’ve come with technology. Let’s take a look at some advancements that were fresh and new that have now become a societal expectation.

Technological Advancements That Have Become the New Norm

Smartwatches

Smartwatches are a smaller extension of your smartphone with Bluetooth capabilities. Smartwatches allow you to send messages, answer phone calls, and check your social media accounts. But one of the biggest reasons why people love smartwatches is because they’re getting more serious about their health.

Smartwatches like the Apple Watch help Apple users track their steps and heart rate. For those who want a more affordable version, the Oshenwatch is the perfect replacement to the Apple Watch but with all the same Bluetooth capabilities and fitness functions. Smartwatches are the new norm for fitness on the go!

GPS

How in the world did we ever get to where we wanted to go without GPS? Well, there once was thing called a map and it was made of paper. You had to read it correctly to know where you were and where you needed to get to. Today, people don’t have time to try and figure out how to get from point A to point B… It’s much easier to have your GPS tell you turn-by-turn how to get there.

Later, technology advanced a little more with a site called MapQuest where you could put in the address of your destinations and print out the turn-by-turn directions. But technology decided that it still wasn’t as efficient as it could be. Later, there were actual GPS devices that you could put in your car that gave you turn-by-turn directions, but those became a little bulky…

Technology knew it could still do better than that, so it then advanced again and had GPS standardly installed to all smartphones, completely changing how we navigate the world around us. Without GPS in our phones, some of us would still be in “No Man’s Land!”

Rideshares

Rideshares have changed the way people commute to work and even how they have a good time! Since the emergence of rideshares people have been able to leave their cars at home and get to where they need to go without a ticking meter or several stops like on a bus. With rideshares, you can simply put in your starting and ending location and be charged one flat rate for a one-way or round trip ride.

Rideshares have also cut back on DUI occurrences simply because people are now taking full advantage of being able to have a good time and letting someone else get them to their destinations safely… It’s completely changed the way people travel and how they maneuver through cities.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth has forever changed the way we do things hands-free. In fact, it’s changed life as we know it from the point of view of the law! In the state of Tennessee, the “Hands Free Tenessee” campaign and law was introduced to eliminated distracted driving fatalities. Most cars now have Bluetooth capabilities to connect your phone to your car.

And, of course, Bluetooth extends beyond cars. You can listen to music, podcasts, and practically whatever you want through any Bluetooth device. This hands-free luxury is nothing new anymore but more so a typical standard of living.

Tech

Future Unfolding: Your Guide to the Hottest Upcoming Solana Projects

Published

1 month ago

July 19, 2025

Jonathan Grilli

If you’ve been peeking into the world of blockchain lately, you’ve probably heard whispers about some exciting upcoming Solana projects. And no, this isn’t just the usual crypto chatter. Solana’s unique combination of speed, scalability, and low fees has been turning heads in all the right ways. Now, a fresh wave of developers is flocking to the ecosystem—and what they’re building could shake up the whole game.

Whether you’re a casual investor, a tech-savvy early adopter, or just crypto-curious, knowing what’s around the corner can give you a serious edge. So grab a coffee, pull up a chair, and let’s take a closer look at where Solana is headed—and which projects might just become the next big thing.

Why Solana, and Why Now?

Let’s face it: not all chains are created equal. While Ethereum paved the way, and Bitcoin proved the concept, Solana showed up to prove that blockchains could be fast—really fast—without costing an arm and a leg to use. With transaction speeds clocking in at 65,000 per second (yep, you read that right) and fees that cost less than a penny, it’s no wonder developers are pouring in.

More importantly, Solana’s infrastructure opens up real creative freedom. Think dynamic NFTs, high-performance games, instant DeFi transactions, and next-gen social platforms. It’s like going from dial-up to fiber optic. And when does that kind of power meet an ambitious dev community? Sparks fly.

The Landscape: What’s Already Built

Before we dive into what’s coming, let’s talk briefly about what’s already here. Solana is no stranger to heavy hitters. Projects like:

Phantom (one of the smoothest crypto wallets out there)
Magic Eden (a major NFT marketplace)
Serum (a decentralized exchange engine)

…have already helped solidify Solana as a serious player in the Web3 world. But even more exciting is what hasn’t launched yet—the next wave of innovation that’s currently under wraps, in beta, or being whispered about in dev channels and alpha groups.

Categories to Watch

Let’s break this down a bit. These upcoming projects aren’t just NFTs or DeFi. They span several categories, and each one is pushing boundaries in its own way.

1. Gaming on Solana

Blockchain gaming is no joke anymore. We’re talking full-blown metaverses, player-owned economies, and real-time experiences that don’t feel like retro arcade games.

Projects like Aurory and Star Atlas are leading the charge, but newer games like Eizper Chain and Synergy Land are gaining steam. They aim to blend AAA-style graphics with actual on-chain mechanics, where players earn, trade, and even govern the game’s economy. Imagine a gaming world where your loot actually means something.

2. Next-Gen DeFi Platforms

Solana’s speed is a dream for decentralized finance. It eliminates lag and lowers gas costs, making it more attractive for traders and builders alike.

Keep your eye on platforms like Zeta Markets (for options trading), Mango Markets V4 (the next iteration of Solana’s leveraged trading platform), and Drift Protocol, which is all about smart margin trading. These platforms are redesigning financial systems—not just copying them.

3. Social and Creator Economies

You know how creators are always looking for ways to monetize without getting gouged by middlemen? Solana’s low-fee, high-throughput nature makes it perfect for social and creator platforms.

Projects like Grape Protocol, Only1, and Dialect are cooking up decentralized alternatives to Instagram, Patreon, and WhatsApp. Instead of centralized platforms owning your audience, you do. Finally, some freedom in the feed.

4. Infrastructure and Tools

Not every exciting project is consumer-facing. Some of the most powerful tools are being built quietly in the background.

Look out for GenesysGo, Helius, and SolanaFM—they’re building things like RPC networks, data explorers, and indexing solutions that help the entire ecosystem run smoother. It’s like paving roads before the cars show up.

How to Spot a Winner

Okay, so you’re excited. But how do you separate future stars from vaporware?

Check the Team

Do they have experience? Are they doxxed? Are they shipping updates consistently? A solid team isn’t shy about transparency.

Look at the Community

Great projects build great tribes. Join their Discord. Scroll through their Twitter. Are people engaged, or is it just hype?

Watch for Utility

Does this project solve an actual problem or improve something that already exists? If it’s just a reskinned NFT mint or copy-paste DeFi fork, maybe move along.

Follow the Builders

Founders often share sneak peeks, updates, and philosophies that give you insight into where a project is heading. Social platforms like X, Farcaster, and even dev blogs can be surprisingly revealing.

How to Stay in the Loop

Alpha doesn’t wait for newsletters. If you want to stay ahead, plug into:

Solana Hacker Houses and hackathons (they often preview upcoming talent)
Podcasts like Solana Breakpoint or Lightspeed
Research-focused Discord servers and Telegram groups
GitHub activity and dev toolkits

This stuff moves fast, but not without leaving clues. Pay attention to who’s building, not just who’s trending.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Chase, Anticipate

When everyone talked about it, the train had probably left the station. The trick with upcoming Solana projects is to think like a scout, not a fan. You want to spot the early signals, the creative builders, and the untapped problems being solved in clever ways.

Solana’s ecosystem isn’t just expanding—it’s evolving. As more serious capital, creators, and developers enter the space, the opportunities multiply. Stay sharp, do your homework, and remember: the best projects often start quietly.

In a world full of copycats, bet on the originals. That’s where tomorrow’s magic lives.