It is a privilege to be among such esteemed company and be able to weigh in on what I think 2011 will bring by way of technology improvements and/or innovations. We all know that companies are going to continue to up the ante as they compete for market share and try to win the hearts and minds (emphasis on mind) of the consumer.
Connectivity
I believe there will be one common thread that will weave its way through every category/aspect of technology in 2011 and that is "connectivity" via the internet. If a device can not connect even for the most mundane of reasons such as a firmware update not to mention communication, collaborative sharing or social networking -- that device is on a path to extinction.
Take games for example? I can envision the makers of SD Cards partnering with the manufacturers of gaming devices that utilize read/write storage media to include an SD Card (or two) as part of a bundle. Now the parent that purchases a new educational electronic device for their pre-schooler can simply download that reduced-cost-promotional learning tool without having to drive to the mall --- or worst --- have to wait for a mail-in after purchase promotion.
Those of you who purchase electronic devices with funds from your allowance or paycheck - be it a cell phone, HDTV or anything in between - know firsthand how convenient it is to go online and communicate, download, upload or do whatever---on your own schedule from the comfort of your bedroom, living room or the room with the sign that reads "Enter At Your Own Risk".
Lets face it --- you WILL accept my upload or download --- Resistance is Futile.
Cell Phones
Cell phones will continue to evolve but not so much from a radical perspective or departure from the norm as when the first iPhone was introduced. Virtual keyboards, IPS displays and now the "Retina" display are all in the wild and are pretty much a WOW factor determined by how much it will influence your buying decision beyond the carrier you choose.
There are still people who like the iPhone but hate AT&T price plans and/or service and therefore have not purchased the iPhone. Maybe the rumored Verizon iPhone for 2011 will be a game changer for iPhone holdouts. The HTC EVO with its Android OS has emerged as the number one contender to the iPhone supremacy. Integration of voice, social networking and music will also be key factors in the buying decision.
Apps, I believe will be the biggest player in how the savvy cell phone/smart phone buyer will approach the market. Apple already has a huge following in the App arena followed by Google (watch out Apple), Microsoft and RIM. Apple however has an advantage in that its App's cross multiple platforms - iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad - and in January, 2011 Apple will releases it App Store to the Mac platform. Are we talking connectivity again?
For fun, the next big step in cell phones or more aptly communication will probably be in the form of a brain implant to allow us to communicate telepathically which gives a new meaning to "hands-free". Maybe there's an App for that?
HDTV and Laptop/Desktop Computers
I am combining these two together because the lines between them are slowly becoming a blur in terms of how we can use them. Features they have in common:
? Ability to deliver 1080p content
? Internet connectivity
? Video Streaming
? Ethernet
? Wireless 802.11xxx and BT Connectivity
? 3D Viewing
? Gaming
So what about technology advances for each?
Computer advancement is going to be controlled by the OS, CPU, and GPU developer/manufacturers and how fast they want to release those advancements to the mainstream. Computer companies like Sony, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Toshiba, Acer and the like all typically offer similar products in design and technology. In my opinion its who gets their latest and greatest technology to market first that determines their short-term market advantage. Beyond that there are subtle differences in build quality and internal components.
For example, Wal-Mart is offering a 17" Laptop for under $500 during the 2010 holiday season. However the internal build components are no better than a run-of-the-mill entry level notebook. So, if all you want is a large screen (that's not even 1080p) then this unit may be the one to get. My point here is that since most of the sellers of computers do not control the technology-- the advancements in 2011 are probably already out now or at least we already know of them. Anyone know when the i8 processor will hit?
Finally, notebooks will continue to get smaller but as we all know we lose some functionality as we go down in size. As a side note I would say that Apple is the one to watch in 2011 for any breakthrough computer advancement.
HDTV advancements will be more forth-coming. Ironically, HDTV manufacturers in many cases also sell computers or are aligned in some way with a computer manufacturer (i.e. Sony, Toshiba, Samsung, and Panasonic, Phillips).
HDTV's are the perfect platforms to adopt computer technology such as Hard Drives, wireless technology, internet connectivity, social networking, video chat, video streaming, 3D technology and more, all of which were introduced on a computer. With the advent of 3D technology - which I believe if supported by the movie houses will become an integral part of the HDTV viewing experience - will eventually come the integration of CPU's and GPU's not unlike those found in computers.
I doubt that a HDTV above 40 inches will be used as a touchscreen - who wants to see a finger print in the middle of the face of Angelina Jolie or Brad Pitt.
Cloud Computing
Cloud Computing while not a new technology will continue to expand and evolve. Microsoft with Windows 7 has expertly in print and TV ads made Cloud Computing appear as a logical extension of what we should be doing every day. Every major manufacturer of a back-up solution offers blocks of offline storage (albeit for a price) to registered users. Thus perpetuating the concept that off-line (cloud computing) is a logical progression especially for those who are paranoid about the loss of data.
However, I believe the mainstream acceptance of cloud computing as an everyday experience is going to depend heavily on cross platform functionality. It must be accessible from whichever platform we are using - i.e. smart phone, computer, tablet, HDTV.
Apple (there's that word again) with its MobileMe made the first attempt at cross platform functionality for the mainstream in Cloud Computing. Although it's not been one of its most widely accepted iterations probably due to the MobileMe annual $99 price tag.
Google has had greater success with its Google Docs which can be accessed from any device with editing capability and an internet connection. However some have had security concerns.
Closing Thoughts
I could continue this discussion on a variety of topics but you would get tired of reading and I can not continue typing. Whatever 2011 brings by way of technology advancements it's going to be exciting. We will see products that will WOW us and others that will make us pause and wonder how they even came to be. Some will survive and others will disappear as a forgotten footnote. Anyone remember Betamax by Sony or Newton by Apple (yes, even Apple had its flops).
I do believe that every manufacturer is going to look for ways to make their products "Greener". Not just by utilizing environmental friendly materials or lowering energy consumption. I think we may see the first of products that will cut the cord and use materials that are eco-friendly and use bio-kinetics to conduct the energy needed to power them. Imagine your computer typing strokes being utilized to produce the energy needed to power that same computer.
Thanks for taking the time to read this and may all your technology dreams come true.