2010 will be the breakout year for net tablets, the rationalisation of cloud computing, and the increased penetration of smartphones, according to Deloitte's Technology, Media and Telecommunications predictions.
Tablet takeover
Deloitte Consulting director Adrian Moorgas says: “The rise of the net tablet is primarily due to consumers' needs for a device that is large enough to browse the Internet and access media and entertainment applications, while at the same time small enough to be light and portable.”
Recent advancements in technology mean the gap between the largest smartphone and smallest available netbook can now be filled, notes Moorgas. “The likes of Apple and Microsoft - teaming up with HP - are anticipated to announce their products early this year.”
The company says custom-designed tablets are also likely to be released by start-ups; some existing phone and PC makers; netbook leaders; and various smaller manufacturers using open source phone operating systems.
Growing the cloud
Regarding cloud computing, the company predicts it will grow much faster than most other technology vehicles. However, Deloitte says clouding will fail to reach the heights its more enthusiastic supporters have suggested.
data storage is not critical, such as Gmail, Facebook and Amazon,” explains Moorgas. Corporate organisations storing data that is critical to their daily operations are still apprehensive about security, reliability and data portability when it comes to cloud computing, he adds.
Smartphones come of age
According to Deloitte, more and more people are using smartphones, rather than traditional PCs and laptops, for basic computing functions such as calendar management, short e-mail responses, instant messaging, updating social sites, and performing information searches.
Moorgas adds that applications using GPS and electronic purse functionality will become mainstream. These will not only give the user access to the right information, but also allow them to take things a step further, such as finding the nearest cinema, providing directions based on their current location, and paying for tickets, all in one smooth process.
“There is also likely to be significant improvement in user interfaces, voice recognition, visual search, and projection technologies,” he says.
In 2009, smartphone sales exceeded PC sales for the first time, and continue to grow, with this gap widening in 2010, Deloitte points out.
Share