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General discussion

What do you predict will be the tech talk of the town in 2011?

Jan 7, 2011 8:01AM PST

What do you predict will be the tech talk of the town in 2011?

-- Tablets (Any particular one?)
-- Super smartphones (Any particular one?)
-- 3D everything (Please explain?)
-- Smart TVs (Please explain?)
-- The death of Netbooks (Why?)
-- Other (What is it?)
-- I'm still trying to catch up with 2010.

Discussion is locked

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You missed listing the new chips
Jan 7, 2011 9:54AM PST

I don't buy anything with "smart" in the title because when I can't fathom how to work it, I have inadequacy issues. 3D can cause bouts of nausea. Tablets make great readers, but give me my keyboard. Tablets caught on and netbooks didn't.

I think the biggest buzz will be about chips. Microsoft is showing a love interest in ARM. That's fine, but to me the most under-hyped item has been the new INTEL Sandy Bridge chip. Why? It incorporates graphics into the CPU chip and varies chip speed to match what you want it to do. This is especially important to laptops. (Think heat and battery life.)Most modern video cards require a fan of their own. Wouldn't it be nice for your chip to walk while you're reading an email and only overclock when you're killing mythical beasts?

These chips are still on the workbench and haven't been installed on any commercial machines yet, so this year's buzz might be about their performance... or lack of it. We'll see.

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Chips & More
Jan 7, 2011 12:34PM PST

I agree, Sandy Bridge will be talked about along with the AMD Fusion response in addition to efforts from NVidia, ARM and others. The other object of much talk will be Windows 8. It's not here yet but it will be talked about and often!

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My Prediction is already coming true
Jan 7, 2011 10:38AM PST

I predicted late last year that we were about to head into App World, where traditional be-all and do-everything software applications would quickly give way to bite-sized budget-priced specialized apps. Now, not even seven days into the new year and Apple has opened their "App Store" and the game change is on. This is the wave of the future. Computers and mobile devices now merely app/solution aggregators and controllers. Each of us must configure our own customized personal digital environments and application suites. Enjoy!

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Microsoft on the warpath
Jan 12, 2011 3:54AM PST

If there was any doubt that apps and "App Stores" are not the imminent future, Micrsoft's Steve Balmer just in-essence confirmed that contention by vociferously objecting to Apple's effort to trademark the term "App Store". Though late MS sees the handwriting on the wall, hears the call to the starting line, and will now try disparately to hold back or at least stall off the future until they can figure a way to dominate play in this new game. (Does this sound familiar?)

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MM Watches
Jan 7, 2011 12:34PM PST

I think the next trend will be multi-media watches. That is a Bluetooth watch with a video screen and wireless headset. It will have a built in MP3 player, data storage, 4G cell and GPS capability. The 1x2 inch screen will be used for viewing pictures, movies (larger through bluetooth surround goggles), directions, the web, video-teleconference calls, address retrieval, video games, etc... It will also be app capable and suitable for exercise (water/shockproof) with a built in pedometer and calorie counter.

Text input occurs through voice recognition or a portable roll-up keyboard as an option.

And of course - it tells time...

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The iPod nano is as much multi-media watch as I need now
Jan 7, 2011 2:19PM PST

The iPod nano has many if not most of the features you listed, plus the touch UI can't be beat. If/when Apple makes it a full-out iOS-driven device then the game is on for real.

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Agreed
Jan 16, 2011 11:47AM PST

Although I agree with you in general, I think the "watches" will actually just be a type of display and input device for a smart phone and not an actual cell phone itself. There is already one device like this for Android phones in the works from Sony.

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An iPhone/iPad killer
Jan 7, 2011 5:48PM PST

Someone will come up with a phone/pad combo for a
sensible price that will kill both the iPhone and
iPad. (Apple prices are just silly!!)

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Combination
Jan 8, 2011 12:16AM PST

The tablets are certainly hurting netbook sales, and why buy a high end netbook when one can get a 14" laptop for the same price with better performance and a dvd drive?

This is also the year of the combo chips as several have mentioned here.

3D is still expensive and a niche market.

Also, throw in Verizon's iPhone and the impact on ATT as being big news mid year.

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Sounds like wishful thinking.
Jan 9, 2011 12:54AM PST

The real strength of the iPhone, iPad, iPod and Touch are the App Store and developer community, secondarily, iOS is a pretty significant piece. Microsoft and oher major players will attempt to compete with Windows and Android devices but by then Cupertino will respond with new iPhones and iPads "to die for" and that will be the end of that noise!

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Windows is not quite the mobile competitor.
Jan 9, 2011 3:10AM PST

Windows has previously failed miserably in the mobile market and has showed late for the current market. While the current version of Windows mobile has matured, it certainly does not have the maturity of iOS, Palm (not doing to well), BlackBerry, Symbian, or even Android.

I do agree with you on all points, just doubt Windows or Palm will succeed.

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I think
Jan 8, 2011 2:58AM PST

I think it will be the end of 3D TV's. Sony was just a little to late for this concidering the HD switch a couple year earlier.The only way it will stay afloat in my eyes is to have 3D Blu-ray player that do not need a 3D tv to create the same experiance.

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Pixel Qi screens
Jan 10, 2011 11:27AM PST

I hope 2011 will be the year of Pixel Qi screens for everything, especially in tablets.
I want a Tablet like Notion Ink's Adam with the Pixel Qi screen.

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OLED anyone?
Jan 16, 2011 11:52AM PST

I have heard that a 31" OLED TV will be available from LG for about $10,000.

Many manufacturers are testing new print methods for printing the OLED arrays on thin films of glass from (I believe) Dupont. This glass can be rolled making for easier printing. Some other companies are testing version that combine the vacuum method and the printing method. If these are successful we may finally start seeing some OLED TVs hitting the market. However, for 2011 I would expect if we see any at all it would be the 31" LG.