For the Tech Innovators Series, supported by Lenovo, Mashable uncovered eight groundbreaking innovations that are changing the landscape of business.
From Google to Powermat, businesses large and small are embracing these innovations to rise head and shoulders above the competition. These companies have recognized areas in their own industries that can be improved with tech, and are reaping the benefits of their own bold thinking.
This roundup showcases the innovations from the series. To read more, click through to get the full story, and follow the series to learn about even more innovations.
1. Why Digital Medical Records Could Save Your Life
Frankly, both these situations are the pits. That's why wireless power pioneer Powermat is doing all it can to solve the on-the-go charging problem and make wired charging a thing of the past.
3. How Super-Strong Glass Keeps Your Smartphone Screen From Breaking
That’s not to say that Gorilla Glass is shatterproof, but it’s definitely more resilient in the face of tumbles and general clumsiness than previous glass displays.
4. How Virgin Galactic Plans to Open Space Travel to the Masses
With the U.S. Space Shuttle fleet now retired, private companies are finding a way to make space exploration accessible not just to the wealthiest few, but to all mankind. It's up to these companies to turn space into a legitimate business.
5. Location & Privacy: Why Flickr’s New Feature May Change Photo Sharing
That's the motivation behind Flickr geofences, a newly added precautionary and practical feature that allows users to map out zones and set distinct location-sharing settings for those areas.
6. Connected Cars: The Fine Line Between Innovation & Distraction
For four years, though, Ford and Microsoft have offered a middle ground with their Ford Sync technology.
7. How Google Is Leading the Way to a Voice-Activated Future
That's changing, though, thanks in no small part to Google's efforts in developing voice recognition tech. Since 2008, Google has been steadily releasing products that turn voice into text -- and commands into action.
8. How Starbucks Is Paving the Way for Mainstream Mobile Payments
This seemingly simple system -- especially when stacked up against Google's pending NFC mobile payments program -- allows Starbucks customers to pay with their phones at roughly 9,000 locations in the U.S.
What's your favorite tech innovation? Let us know in the comments below.