In 2011, there were many technological highlights to keep the technology industry buzzing with excitement. Although there were many important events in 2011 in the technology industry, there are really some that have overshadowed the majority. Here are some of the top highlights worth mentioning:
App Stores
App stores are becoming more and more mainstream as smart phones slowly replace the traditional cell phone. Consumers are choosing to browse and make purchases via an app store rather than other conventional methods. Because of this, more and more merchants are choosing to create an app store in addition to maintaining a website. As time goes by, merchants who do not offer an app store will most likely loose out on a fair amount of business to their competitors.
HTML5
HTML5 will be responsible for at least 1 billion in sales by 2013. As developers are able to create media apps that are designed to run across multiple platforms, HTML5 is becoming the choice for users since the content from various devices such as mobile phones, tablets, notebooks, desktops, and other devices come together through the cloud. This makes HTML5 a heavy hitter when it comes to making the list as a highlight in 2011.
Location awareness
Location awareness is revolutionizing many aspects of a consumer’s life without us even realizing it. With location awareness, the exact location of a device can be pinpointed to another user or application. This can do simple things like help you locate where your friends are hanging out to where you are so you can receive coupons to the nearest restaurants. As location awareness becomes more and more advanced it not only changes how consumers are marketed to but it also changes how people are able to interact with each other.
Cloud Computing
The market for cloud computing will reach a total market value of nearly $130 billion. As cloud computing continues to emerge in the technology world, it is clear that it’s popularity will continue to grow and flourish. Because the design of cloud computing is a good thing for end users and IT departments alike, chances are cloud computing will continue to grow in popularity in 2012 just as it did in 2011.
Technology is always a great industry to watch. As technology changes so does the way in which society interacts. Many of the trends emerging will help lower costs for business’ as well as making things in day-to-day life much easier. It will be interesting as time goes on to see what other things from technology will make the list of highlights for 2012.