Last year, I posted my top 8 predictions for 2011. It’s good to note that I got almost everything right. Now it’s time for my annual tech predictions for 2012.

Tech Predictions for 2012 – by Mon Macutay (www.gmtristan.com) 

1. Apple will rule the world – Apple will lead tech. They will cement themselves as the biggest tech company on planet Earth. Samsung will be one of its fierce rivals. In fact, Samsung will dominate the Android phone and tablet market this year. The iPhone 5 will be announced and released.
2. Facebook will be the standard login – Last year, I predicted that Facebook “connectivity” and “sync” will start to permeate all levels of tech. From apps to social networks that cater to new, niche markets. And in 2011, the “log in with Facebook” craze started. In 2012, it will be the norm.
3. Microsoft and Nokia will make a comeback – Microsoft will try to this by launching Windows 8 and Nokia will try to salvage their name using Windows Mobile. Let’s see if the market will accept this. Chrome will officially overtake IE as the browser of choice.
4. Digital Marketing – becomes part of the “Tri-Media” approach. It will be as important to marketers like TV or radio. With tri-media consumption always going down, online marketing continues to grow. 2012 will see a huge market and need for “Social Media Experts”. Sadly, a lot of individuals will pretend to be experts just to get a piece of the pie, so to speak. Advertising on Facebook, for me, will be huge and companies who go into social media will emerge the victors.
5. RIM (makers of BlackBerry) will buy the farm – repeat after me, there is no “business phone” niche. The BB magic will fade and RIM will feel the financial burden. To combat this locally, telcos will position the BlackBerry to the youth as an entry-level smartphone hyping on the demand of the BBM (group texting without paying too much). Businessmen will then gasp when they see 15-year-olds with BlackBerry models the same as theirs.
6. Faster Broadband speeds for the Philippines – with new technologies, Smart and PLDT will lead the way and offer real DSL speeds to homes and businesses. The LTE will jumpstart this revolution From an average of 1MBPs per household, we will see and increase this year anywhere from 2MBPS to 4MBPS. Also, with a lot of competition, telcos will be forced to offer lower rates to capture a bigger portion of the market.
7. The Blog Mad Max – the blogging industry will see a great upheaval. With microblogging services like Twitter or even Instagram, a lot of bloggers will finally give up. Those who prevail and hang on will survive the blog-post-apocalyptic-nightmare. Businesses will now choose their blogger partners carefully and finally, bloggers will be given the same preferential treatment as real press or media (I am seeing that trend happen today).
8. Tablets – more and more accessories will be offered to make your tablet your primary PC. More juice, battery time and input devices will now make working on a tablet practical and fun. Both the iPad and the Galaxy Tab will rule. But there is a possibility of a 3rd contender. That, we have to see.
9. The Cloud Revolution – all major tech companies (and services) will now offer cloud solutions. Dropbox and Apple may have started it but this year, we will see more corporate-level solutions that will be made. Cloud space will be even bigger in 2012. MSN already offers all SkyDrive members a free 25GB cloud storage.
10. The Growth of WiFi in the Philippines – with a lot of Smartphones entering the middle-class B and C markets, the demand for WiFi (naturally) will go ka-boom! In 2012, you will more restos, bars and other places offer free (or paid) WiFi.

Finally, the world will NOT end in 2012.

PS. Check out my 2011 predictions here

Seeya all next year!

GM T