Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1299286
38 PCB007 MAGAZINE I OCTOBER 2020 from parts to full devices printed on a wide variety of substrates, this is no longer the case. It seems almost certain that additive manufac- turing is here to stay. In addition, there are many signs that point to increased investments in additive manufac- turing recently due to the increased capabili- ties, the expanded applications, and the need for less wasted space in electronic devices due to the desire for additional capabilities. Areas where you can expect to see increased use of 3D additive fab are aerospace (Airbus and Boeing have recently chosen to implement it), healthcare, dental VR devices, and others that have recently begun use of this process. In general, there has been increased acceler- ation but be prepared for a few occasional taps on the brakes. This is a topic that we have fol- lowed closely over the last few years, and we intend to continue to watch and report on it. Higher-End Monitors I do not believe we have seen as much im- provement in graphics screens, either TV or computer monitors, since the advent of LED screens and the vertical deceleration and death of the vacuum picture tube in the '80s. Every- thing about a video screen has improved, in- cluding the size, as well as huge advances in resolution with many now over 4K (with the new GPU technology supporting 8K), high- er frequency, lighter weight, and HDR—you name it. If you have a TV that is a few years old, it is out of date. If you have a computer monitor (you only have one connected to your comput- er?), it is out of date. Screens for smartphones and tablets are now amazingly clear and flex- ible, and there is more to come. Also, expect to see prices continue to decline. We are in the middle of a significant acceleration not only in capability but also in quantity, as many of the lower capability devices are now being re- placed. I expect to see this acceleration con- tinue for a while. New and Improved Smart Home Devices Smart home devices—or as some call them, "Big Brother is watching"—"Alexa" and "Hey Google" are some of the most commonly used words spoken in many homes today. Yes, there are others, but these two are by far the most widely used. As for devices that connect to them, there are now many other companies making accessories. For example, you do not have to use Amazon's low-to-moderate qual- ity sounding speakers to listen to the song you just asked Alexa to play. Now, you can get high-quality smart speakers from companies like Bose that are specifically designed to work with your Amazon or Google ecosystem. Should you install a smart home system? That is up to you. There are many nice fea- tures, but there is also the issue of privacy. How many times have you mentioned in pri- vate to someone that you are thinking of buy- ing or considering a purchase and/or project, only to receive an ad on that very thing? That is a topic for another discussion, but the point is that the use of smart home systems—rang- ing from just turning on the lights all the way