Tech trends of 2012
In most of these videos I stand up here and reel off 5 products that are great for
some reason or another.
But this week, we�re going to step back and look at the
big picture.
Products come and go, but if you really want to know what�s going on
in the tech world, it�s all about spotting the trends.
So here you go, here�s a look back at what I personally think were big the tech
trends that defined 2012.
Starting off at #5: Virtual assistants.
Siri made it�s debut on the iPhone in October
of 2011, but 2012 was the year when all the competitors struck back.
Google
Now, Samsung S Voice, Vlingo, Robin.
We�re actually having conversations with
our gadgets now, and it�s kinda freaking me out that this doesn�t really freak me
out anymore.
At #4: convertible laptops, and hybrid tablets.
With the rollout of Windows 8,
we�re seeing a whole new crop of laptops that flip around into tablets, and tablets
with snap-on keyboards.
I can�t tell if this is really the evolution of the laptop or
just an awkward identity crisis, but the idea of a laptop without a touch screen is
starting to feel a little old school.
Coming in at #3: 4G.
Now, 4G has been with us for awhile, but 2012 was the
year it really went mainstream.
You almost couldn�t buy a smartphone phone in
2012 that wasn�t 4G compatible, especially after the iPhone got on board.
4G is
finally becoming the norm, and we�ve got a nice little window here before
everyone starts talking about 5G.
At #2: Phablets!
More than a phone, less than a tablet, and a the best indicator of
an inferiority complex since the invention of truck nuts.
Samsung introduced the
5.3-inch Galaxy Note in February and then a 5.5-inch Note II in October.
We
laughed at first, but this is a thing now.
Your smartphone can be as big as your
face, and people will just think you�re cutting edge.
\
Now before we get to number #1, I�d like to point out a trend that everyone
predicted would dominate 2012, but didn�t: the Cloud.
Everything was supposed
to be sucked up into the cloud like some kind of tech rapture this year, but
nothing much changed.
To be fair, an invisible cloud of data is a hard thing to
notice.
Maybe we�re in the cloud right now.
Is this the cloud?
And finally, the #1 tech trend of 2012 was: 7-inch tablets!
Now this one was
pretty easy to spot from 2011 when the Amazon Kindle Fire became an instant
holiday hit.
Then Google hit back with the Nexus 7, Amazon came back with four
Kindle Fires, Barnes & Noble stepped up their Nook, and then of course, the iPad
Mini.
Not only did the 7-inch tablet blossom in 2012, but there�s good reason to
believe that this might be the dominant tablet size from here on out.
So there you go, the five tech trends that I personally think did the most to shape
2012.
But that�s just scratching the surface.
Take a look at the CNET 100 for an
exhaustive list of the year�s most important developments in tech.
It�s a
collaboration from all of CNET�s Editors.
And for more Top 5s like this head over to Top5.CNET.com.
You can also follow
me over on Twitter.
Up Next
iPhone 14 is Missing These 5 Features
Up Next
iPhone 14 is Missing These 5 Features
Top 5 new Samsung Galaxy S22 rumors
Top 5 new Samsung Galaxy S22 rumors
Top 5 iPhone 14 Rumors
Top 5 iPhone 14 Rumors
Top 5 most exciting Galaxy S22 Ultra rumors
Top 5 most exciting Galaxy S22 Ultra rumors
Windows 11: Will Microsoft learn from past mistakes?
Windows 11: Will Microsoft learn from past mistakes?
Top 5 most exciting iPhone 13 rumors
Top 5 most exciting iPhone 13 rumors
5 cheaper alternatives to the AirPods Pro
5 cheaper alternatives to the AirPods Pro
2021 iPad Pro: The best new features
2021 iPad Pro: The best new features
5 ways to get more out of Netflix
5 ways to get more out of Netflix
2021 MacBook Pro: What to expect
2021 MacBook Pro: What to expect
Tech Shows
Latest News All latest news
Apple May Give FineWoven Accessories 1 More Season
Apple May Give FineWoven Accessories 1 More Season
US vs. TikTok: What Happens Next
US vs. TikTok: What Happens Next
Battle of the Humanoid Robots: MenteeBot Is Ready
Battle of the Humanoid Robots: MenteeBot Is Ready
What to Expect at Apple's May 7 iPad Event
What to Expect at Apple's May 7 iPad Event
Did a Week With the Apple Watch Make Me Use My iPhone Less?
Did a Week With the Apple Watch Make Me Use My iPhone Less?
How Google Tests the Cameras in Its Pixel Phones
How Google Tests the Cameras in Its Pixel Phones
Most Popular All most popular
First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
Latest Products All latest products
Battle of the Humanoid Robots: MenteeBot Is Ready
Battle of the Humanoid Robots: MenteeBot Is Ready
2025 Audi Q6, SQ6 E-Tron: Audi's Newest EV Is Its Most Compelling
2025 Audi Q6, SQ6 E-Tron: Audi's Newest EV Is Its Most Compelling
Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
Nuro R3 is an Adorable Self-Driving Snack Bar
Nuro R3 is an Adorable Self-Driving Snack Bar
First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
Best of MWC 2024: Bendable Screens, AI Wearables and More
Best of MWC 2024: Bendable Screens, AI Wearables and More
Latest How To All how to videos
Tips and Tricks for the AirPods Pro 2
Tips and Tricks for the AirPods Pro 2
How to Watch the Solar Eclipse Safely From Your Phone
How to Watch the Solar Eclipse Safely From Your Phone
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro