9: Apple Admits That They Screwed Up, Fixes the App Market
In an area where I have a great interest, Apple will finally work to fix one of the biggest mistakes with their iTunes-iPhone system. Currently, there are millions of Apps that you can download, but most of them are as useful as a turd wrapped in shiny paper (to my disappointment, that is not the name of a real application). It is far too hard to locate and download useful or great apps (unless you read my iWant feature) and that is a shame. I expect Apple to fix this and allow a full rating system, which uses other users to help match your opinions. Think of it as Netflix for the App Store.
Barga's Odds: 65%
10: The Cloud Will Die
Yeah, I know that this will not happen, but I still can harbor hope that that damn cloud will be shot down. I do not like the idea that one company can have all of my data, my contacts, and even my phone records. Of course, with more and more companies using Google Docs to run their business, it is clear that mainstream America is against my position, and that they don't care about their trade secrets. In all honesty, I expect the Cloud to continue to grow, but I hope that it doesn't.
Barga's Odds: .000000000057%
Well folks, there you have it. These are ten of the changes in technology that I expect to happen in 2010. Some of these will probably happen, some of them will not, but they should all be interesting to think about. Let me know what you think that I missed, what should be altered, or how clinically insane I am.
Article comments
1 - Mark Buckingham
1. Probably
2. Debatable, but I think it's unlikely
3. Practically a given.
4. Maybe
5. Probably, for exactly the reasons given.
6. Likely
7. Not Unlikely
8. No. While I don't doubt that these companies will release new software and potentially even new hardware (accessories, expansions, new ways to play, Microsoft will churn out another ridiculously overpriced HDD, etc.), the likelihood of them officially announcing new incremental consoles is virtually zero.
Rumors may spread of so-and-so working on the next device, but that's practically a given; development of the next hardware begins as soon as (if not before) the current gen stuff launches, often in the form of "Well, we can't quite do this practically or affordably now, so put it on the list for next gen."
Why am I so sure? The five-year hardware cycle has yet to be broken prematurely, except by Microsoft short-changing the original Xbox to be first to market, and they weren't (and to some still aren't) a game company at the time. They were the wannabes, and broke tradition just to be first to market, not that that ever determined anything (the Dreamcast and Saturn were first to market, and were trounced by the PS2 and PS1, respectively). The only reason I can see Microsoft jumping the gun again is simply for that: to be first to market. Their abrupt dropping of support for the original Xbox doesn't bode well for continued support of the 360, which would see a lot of people freezing their wallets as soon as an announcement comes out.
Dates aside, the Wii is doing phenomenally (still) and Nintendo would commit commercial suicide by releasing another console this year. An upgraded one or more support for SD media and USB hard drives, perhaps, but not whole new platform.
Sony is finally gaining traction with the PS3 Slim, and would also be shooting itself in the foot by releasing another console already. They need to break even on the PS3 before they even think about it. Furthermore, PS2s are still selling pretty well out there, yet another reason NOT to announce a new console yet.
At best, I expect we might hear something about new consoles by E3 2011. Announcing the next generation doesn't stimulate sales of existing consoles so much as it makes people hold out for the next big thing.
9. Maybe
10. Unlikely
2 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Is No.7 really a prediction or did you read it last summer on their official blog?
No.4 - Bing would be great if it was actually accurate with its search results. Just recently I typed in "Toyota" and "Toyota.com" and their official website didn't even show up on the first page. As for ads by Google, if you're not using Firefox w/ AdBlock Plus & NoScript then I don't feel sorry ya.
No.1 - Considering that Facebook is looking to introduce a monthly fee for their service, I don't see how they could have a passport of sorts unless Twitter and a few others jump on board that mistake train.
No.2 - How is this a prediction? With the cost of touchscreen size and technology on the plummet especially with the success of the iPhone and the iPod touch, it's only a matter of time before they incorporate their powerful compressed computer tech with a touchscreen. Especially with the latest news of a 22" iMac touch on the horizon.