2011 is only a month away, with new trends in internet use made possible by an ever expanding list of tools and toys. The most common expectations concern smart phones, pad and tablet devices and web enabled game stations and televisions. But the big surprise is in the number of appliances and other equipment that will be sending and receiving from the web.There are web enabled refrigerators and other appliances that allow management from off site, leading to expectations of more traffic from appliances and equipment. Add in the web enabled GPS and other systems in planes, trains and automobiles, and the levels of usage will go up from other devices than smart phones and computers.
There will be more content curating and niche management. Content curating involves filtering the overload of content and personalizing it in dashboards, home pages and in ways that make small screen web surfing much easier. Niche management applies to the many types of people who we work with, network with or share interests with. Examples include Yahoo and Google home pages and Twitter lists that allow as many lists as a person needs to manage their various groups and chunks of people.
Then, there is increasing understanding that the average human can only interact with about 150 people, maximum. The old days of having hundreds, if not thousands of "friends" at social networks will head more toward reality and human capacity, with users limiting access to family and real friends.
Security will be more frightening than ever before, since malware, trojans and viruses are now being "sold" in packages that meet a particular criminal's hacking and attacking needs. The day of the web bot has been replaced by the day of the customized malware. 2011 will involve more efforts to attack mobile devices, calling for owners to get security software and to be more cautious.
There are indications that even nation states are looking into the strategic military and social aspects of malware, especially considering the vulnerabilities in web connected infrastructure management systems, such as water, power and financial systems.
Mobile devices are catching up with, and may exceed the past explosions in home PC buying. These devices are highly popular and are capable of changing the way that people live life and do business in a very short period of time. With wildly competitive markets and pricing, the devices will be more available through cheaper equipment and creative service
Wed Dec 01, 2010 8:18 am