What Are the Best Ways to Stay Current on Technology?

It doesn’t matter if our client is a developer or not, they’re interested in staying abreast on current technologies. At SOLTECH, this is something we’re always doing, too. So when a client asks us how we do it, we explain to them that we listen to podcasts and read blogs, attend conferences and meetups, and following industry leaders on social media.

Podcasts and Blogs on New Technologies

Listening to tech podcasts and reading blogs focused on tech trends are easy ways to stay on top of new technologies.

Suggested reads are:

• HN: https://news.ycombinator.com
• Reddit Technology: http://reddit.com/r/technology
• Engadget: http://www.engadget.com
• Verge: http://www.theverge.com
• Techcrunch: http://www.techcrunch.com

Podcasts to listen to:

• Buzz Out Loud
• This Week in Tech
• The Java Posse
• Google Developer Podcast
• Hanselminutes
• MacBreak Weekly

Conferences, Workshops, and Meetups

A favorite way developers like to stay on top of technology is to attend conferences. Web Summit, Tech Crunch Disrupt, WSJ Live, Dreamforce, Code/Enterprise, Microsoft Ignite and DevNexus are just a few of the more popular to attend. The conferences typically include keynote speakers, workshops, and opportunities to try new products. This is also a great way to network and get to know people in your industry!

If you’re new to tech, get in touch with your local code schools like The Iron Yard or General Assembly. These schools teach free or low-cost workshops to get you introduced to coding and other technology related topics that will help you widen your knowledge. If you don’t have a code school near you, try an online option like Treehouse or Code.org.

In addition, be sure to check out Meetup.com to look for tech meetups in your area. You can also search for specific user groups to meet and talk shop with. While the meetups may not be catered to teaching or introducing new technologies, this topic often comes up in discussion amongst the folks who attend.

Social Media

Social media is where we get most of our news about politics and world events, so why wouldn’t you use it to get technology updates, too? If you follow the right accounts on sites like Twitter, you can catch the links to articles about new technologies, products and even positions opening at all the tech companies you love.

• Wired
• Tech Crunch
• The Next Web
• Mashable Text
• Susan Crawford
• David Pogue
• Tim O’Reilly
• Google
• HP

Interacting with other folks in technology will be a great way to stay informed about new products and programs, even if just through forums and message boards online. What are your favorite ways to keep up with new technologies? Let us know in the comments!

Want to learn about the five pillars of building successful software? Download our free e-book and be sure to share it with your team!