The 2010 Tech Predictions: What is Technology Up To In the Year Ahead?

As 2009 draws to a close, we are once again at that time of year when we wonder what could be in store for us for the coming year.  And yes, that includes wondering where technology might be leading us. So settle down as you gaze at the digital display backlight of that overworked PC, make yourself comfy, and let’s mull over the many possibilities that 2010 technology may turn into.

Accolades for Windows 7. Oh yes, expect a lot of rave reviews about this OS to convince the market that the switch from its predecessor will be worth their while – and money. Microsoft will undoubtedly spend millions to persuade Vista loyalists to look forward to (or is it back to?) the advantages of Windows 7 and how much better it is. The thing is there will be quite a resistance to the new operating system, especially for home users who don’t have the technical capability to do a quick change. IT departments are more likely to defer an upgrade until such time that their Vista-generation system is at least partially depreciated. Like they say, “If it’s not broken, why fix it?” All in all, it doesn’t look like there will be much clamor for the new operating system – at least not for a while. Take heart IT departments, you can stay put and bide your time before thinking of setting up the upgrade.

All PCs are not created equal; not anymore. They will come in minuscule sizes. There was a time when it looked like they were just variations of the same box-type PCs, only distinguishable by its specific purpose: painted black or blue for work stations; turned sideways when you wanted a server; and if you smacked a handle on top, you got yourself a mobile PC.  But there have been some huge transformations with diminutive editions. Think of it as some kind of stellar explosion, like a super nova. Amazingly, what used to be beige boxes have now become fragments that turned themselves into smaller product platforms. It sure took its time but it has finally come of age. There’s a free size option but not necessarily the “one size fits all” variety.  Netbooks will become a craze among various user categories. And there’s also the smart phone to contend with, not to mention the traditional laptops and desktops. You can look forward to a plethora of gadget interlacing and the ensuing bewilderment over nomenclature and classification.

Sudden death for “tweener” devices. A discrepancy in the number of devices brought about by platform fragmentation and how many of them will tidily fit into existing product categories will transpire with near certainty. There are only so many devices that a user can carry and in most cases, three is the enchanted number. The chances of succeeding is nil for any device that doesn’t fit into the users’ ranking chart.  Sure, fragmentation has its uses, but if a novelty device can’t keep up with one or more current devices, it’s doubtful that it will have its hold in the market. A “tweener” by any other name, be it Net tablets or mobile internet devices (MIDs), no matter what publicity and excitement it causes, will still fall short of expectations. Anticipate 2010 to see a lot of these devices’ have a sudden demise in the market.

Apple will set the pace in business. iPhone grabbed the limelight with its capacity to function with Exchange and IT department manageability. There’s a strong tendency for a continuous inclination to this in 2010, especially with the advent of the Snow Leopard Mac OS X, which pledges an even tighter indigenous synthesis with corporate systems. As the romance between users and Apple products continues,  demands and pressures from all sides will be felt by IT to integrate Apple products to the corporate standard. After all is said done, IT has to live true to its identity as a service entity and if the smarty wants to retain that identity, it had better heed the wishes of its users.

Microsoft will junk the idea of producing its own phone. There have been numerous conjectures as to whether Microsoft will ditch the Mobile Operator and launch its competition to iPhone. Rumors were rife that it has been laying the groundwork since early 2009. No can do. Software is still the heart and soul of Microsoft business. It has been created to license that software to others. Last year alone it issued almost 18 million software licenses and  the focal point isn’t going to drastically change; not in the very near future at least.

Here’s wishing everyone an overflow of harmony, health, and wealth in 2010.