A Guide to 2021's Top Tech Terms
2021-12-23
LRC
TXT
大字
小字
滚动
全页
1As new technologies progressed over the past year, some words used to describe them rose in popularity.
2Here is a look at some technology terms that gained wide attention during 2021.
3Major tech companies began talking more about the "metaverse."
4The term describes a non-physical world in which individuals can interact through different kinds of virtual technology.
5For example, a metaverse could permit people living on different sides of the world to meet up through technology and virtually go on a vacation, play sports or work together on projects.
6The main technologies that would drive such a world would be virtual reality, or VR, and augmented reality, AR.
7Other, yet-to-be invented technologies would also be used to improve experiences within the metaverse.
8NFT stands for non-fungible token.
9It is based on a technology called blockchain, which is also used with digital currencies known as cryptocurrencies.
10An NFT can be attached to a piece of digital artwork or other things existing in digital form.
11The NFT can be used to provide proof that the pieces are real.
12While anyone can view the work, the buyer has official ownership rights over the pieces.
13In March, an NFT created by American artist Beeple sold for nearly $70 million at Christie's.
14It was the first sale ever by a major auction house of art that did not exist in physical form.
15Web3 is used to describe a possible next stage of the internet: a decentralized internet run on the record-keeping technology blockchain.
16This model would permit users to hold ownership over their presence and control their own data on the internet.
17Today's internet, known as Web2, permits major technology companies like Meta's Facebook and Alphabet's Google to provide services in exchange for user data.
18The term decentralization became widely used in the tech industry.
19It describes a process that aims to reduce the amount of power companies or governments have over technology platforms.
20The idea is to hand this power over to users.
21A growing number of social media companies announced they were developing ways for their users to communicate through voice.
22The moves came after a rise in popularity of the social media app Clubhouse.
23The app permits users to communicate through audio in virtual discussion rooms.
24Among other companies announcing new audio services were Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Reddit.
25GameFi is a term that describes the process of gamers earning cryptocurrency through playing video games.
26An example is when players earn financial tokens, or awards, for winning battles in the games.
27The word altcoin covers all cryptocurrencies other than Bitcoin.
28This ranges from Ethereum -- which aims to support a future financial system - to Dogecoin, a digital currency that began as a joke, but was later popularized by Tesla chief Elon Musk.
29The term fabs is short for semiconductor fabrication plant.
30A semiconductor is a material necessary for producing a wide range of electronic devices.
31The word became popular as a limited supply of chips from fabs were blamed for a worldwide shortage of everything from automobiles to personal electronic devices.
32I'm Bryan Lynn.
1As new technologies progressed over the past year, some words used to describe them rose in popularity. Here is a look at some technology terms that gained wide attention during 2021. 2Metaverse 3Major tech companies began talking more about the "metaverse." The term describes a non-physical world in which individuals can interact through different kinds of virtual technology. 4For example, a metaverse could permit people living on different sides of the world to meet up through technology and virtually go on a vacation, play sports or work together on projects. 5The main technologies that would drive such a world would be virtual reality, or VR, and augmented reality, AR. Other, yet-to-be invented technologies would also be used to improve experiences within the metaverse. 6NFT 7NFT stands for non-fungible token. It is based on a technology called blockchain, which is also used with digital currencies known as cryptocurrencies. 8An NFT can be attached to a piece of digital artwork or other things existing in digital form. The NFT can be used to provide proof that the pieces are real. While anyone can view the work, the buyer has official ownership rights over the pieces. 9In March, an NFT created by American artist Beeple sold for nearly $70 million at Christie's. It was the first sale ever by a major auction house of art that did not exist in physical form. 10Web3 11Web3 is used to describe a possible next stage of the internet: a decentralized internet run on the record-keeping technology blockchain. 12This model would permit users to hold ownership over their presence and control their own data on the internet. Today's internet, known as Web2, permits major technology companies like Meta's Facebook and Alphabet's Google to provide services in exchange for user data. 13Decentralization 14The term decentralization became widely used in the tech industry. It describes a process that aims to reduce the amount of power companies or governments have over technology platforms. The idea is to hand this power over to users. 15Social Audio 16A growing number of social media companies announced they were developing ways for their users to communicate through voice. The moves came after a rise in popularity of the social media app Clubhouse. The app permits users to communicate through audio in virtual discussion rooms. 17Among other companies announcing new audio services were Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Reddit. 18GameFi 19GameFi is a term that describes the process of gamers earning cryptocurrency through playing video games. An example is when players earn financial tokens, or awards, for winning battles in the games. 20Altcoin 21The word altcoin covers all cryptocurrencies other than Bitcoin. This ranges from Ethereum -- which aims to support a future financial system - to Dogecoin, a digital currency that began as a joke, but was later popularized by Tesla chief Elon Musk. 22Fabs 23The term fabs is short for semiconductor fabrication plant. A semiconductor is a material necessary for producing a wide range of electronic devices. The word became popular as a limited supply of chips from fabs were blamed for a worldwide shortage of everything from automobiles to personal electronic devices. 24I'm Bryan Lynn. 25Reuters reported this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for VOA Learning English. Susan Shand was the editor. 26We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. 27__________________________________________________ 28Words in This Story 29virtual - adj. existing or occurring on computers or on the internet 30virtual reality - n. digital environments that can be entered and controlled by humans 31augmented reality - n. a technology that can project computer-created imagery onto special eyeglasses. 32auction - n. a public sale at which things are sold to the people who offer to pay the most 33platform - n. something that permis someone to tell a large number of people about an idea, product, etc. 34app - n. a computer program that carries out a specific job 35fabrication - n. the act of producing a product 36chip - n. a small piece of semiconducting material used to make parts that help power computer processors