As tiny, internet-connected computers find their way into hundreds of mundane household objects, the coming "internet of things" will drastically change how people live, work and play. Connected devices can keep records and share data among themselves. The potential benefits are enormous, especially when it comes to our health.

The mega-extravaganza of the tech world in Las Vegas is showcasing an array of new devices that get smarts from computer chips, sensors and artificial intelligence, but go further by opening doors to augmented or virtual realities.

This has been a powerful year, with ups and downs, laughs and frowns, disillusions and downright anarchies. We started off with our country proud to be Americans, and near the end, had some citizens ready to flee the boundary.

Technology is emerging at ever-increasing speeds, transforming how we communicate, collaborate and manage our day-to-day responsibilities. This trend is especially evident in communications technology. Among the many recent entries are so-called “email killers,” which aim to replace a form of communication to which all of us have grown accustomed. The makers of these new collaboration tools call email a “legacy” technology — unwarrantedly trying to tarnish its image.