Predictions for 2011

1.) The move away from traditional desktop computing and into the cloud will continue and will pick up speed.  While it is true that privacy concerns and the concern of actually “physically owning” your content will hamper this growth. I think the data concern is legitimate, but all that is needed is a system that “backs-up” your data instead of hijacks it.  Something similar to the Google Laptop that was just released, combined with Carbonite the data backup software would be ideal.  I love the idea of running a minimalistic Linux based machine that backs up all my data… I just don’t like the idea of running a machine that doesn’t store any of my data locally, and doesn’t give me the option of if I want it backed up in the cloud or not.

2.) Android will overtake the Iphone/ipad.  While it is true that apple has a big lead I think the openness of android is going to win out.  I do admit that for a basic user Apple might be a better platform, they “wall everything bad out” but at the same time wall you into their ecosystem.  This will start to become a true annoyance, and in 2011 people will start to realize that having a large company make all their decisions for them only makes things more convenient for so long, and after that just becomes annoying  Open source always wins, and while the claims by Apple are valid that the android app store is fragmented, they don’t understand that doesn’t matter.  If you offer an operating system that is open and isn’t susceptible to “red tape” it will win because it can be configured by individuals so much easier.  Once the organization problem is solved (or even if it isn’t) android will pass Apple and never look back.

3.) Microsoft will continue its fall into irrelevancy.  Microsoft hasn’t come out with a cool or innovative product since… I cant really even remember.  As people start to do more and more computing on phones and tablets they will realize their is almost no need for windows.  I don’t foresee large business starting to move away from windows at all, but individual users really are not locked into windows.  It is not hard to setup a Linux based system of your own, or more than likely people will start to turn to computers that are setup more with cloud computing in mind.  The days of being able to charge people ~100 for an opperating system, and then another $80 for software to create word documents is over.

4.) Google will become a data provider.  Either they will launch their program to offer internet connections (remember  topeka kansas/Google Kansas?).  More interesting is I think Google with seriously flirt with the idea of offering Mobil phone service.

5) Facebook will become the number 1 player.  Facebook has already passed Google in internet traffic, and they will continue to grow.  Ultimately I think they will be hit with privacy concerns/make the mistake of focusing too hard at beating google and shot themselves in the foot big time but I don’t think that will be for 2 or 3 more years.  I think they can/should merge with skype and offer the best way to communicate with people you know online.

6.) WordPress will continue its tremendous growth.  I am personally a HUGE fan of wordpress.  I think that wordpress truly empowers almost everyone to own and operate a very professional website of their own.  As bigger business realize the benefits I think many more will transition to wordpress.  Additionally I think wp-ecommerce will be transformed to become an actual reliable e-commerce solution (or a different competitor will show up)