As we approach the end of the year, I thought it might be fun to share Ten for 10 in 2010 ? a list of people, blogs, apps, platforms and more that I think you might enjoy checking out in 2010.
These are just personal takes and, as with any list, this is subjective so please feel free to leave your own thoughts in the comments after the post.
Yesterday I looked at blogs. This time around it’s technology – I hope you enjoy.
- HTML 5. The Holy Grail for any web technology has been to offer true collaboration between desktop and cloud services. With HTML 5, 2010 might just be the year it finally happens. By removing the need for plug-in Internet applications like Adobe Flash and Javascript, and introducing the semantic web and improved media use, HTML 5 could be a game changer.
- Smartphones. With Apple’s iPhone continuing to grow its loyal fanbase and RIM’s BlackBerry finally breaking away from its business-only audience, 2010 promises to be the year the Smartphone finally takes the mainstream. With numerous Android-powered handsets hitting the market and Google itself selling handsets directly, the mobile market is set to explode once more.
- Microsoft Office 2010. Microsoft has found itself floundering recently, with Macs stealing thunder on the computer front and Firefox and Google Chrome enjoying success on the web browser front. But Microsoft is hitting back. 2009 saw a great launch for Bing and Windows 7, and Microsoft Office 2010 is set to continue this revival of fortunes. With web versions of its key desktop appliances, threaded emails and Wave-like collaboration, Office 2010 promises much and actually looks like it could deliver.
- Barnes and Noble Nook. The Kindle may be taking the tech hearts along with Sony’s eReader, but don’t discount the Nook from book retailer Barnes and Noble. A colour touch screen and virtual keyboard is cool, but the real trick is LendMe – now you can lend books to other devices like iPods, computers and smartphones. Let’s see you do that, Kindle!
- Project Natal. This might slip to 2011, but it’s just too damn sexy not to feature! Microsoft’s foray into controllerless video games, Project Natal looks set to redefine how we play games forever. Depth sensor, directional microphones, camera to gauage movement – if you’re a gamer and Project Natal doesn’t excite you, you may want to go back to playing cards.
- Microsoft Surface. Having played with this at the recent launch of the new Microsoft Canada portal, this was nothing short of stunning. If you think touch-screen computers are cool now, wait until you get a load of?Microsoft Surface . Manipulate, design, download, upload, communicate, share and more – this will blow your mind.
- OLED Televisions. If you think today’s LCD High-Definition TV’s are cool, then you’ll love the next generation. OLED televisons are thinner, better, more energy efficient, have sharper images, can connect effortlessly to the web and much more. The cost is higher than LCD television’s but the difference is like night and day.
- Foursquare. Coming from out of nowhere and taking the mobile world by storm, Foursquare is enjoying a great uptake in 2009 and looks set to explode in 2010. With plans to “be everywhere” coming from the Foursquare office itself, expect this mobile app to become the next Facebook and Twitter and see marketers look at how they can leverage the audience that’s in their neighbourhoods.
- Google Chrome OS. While Internet 8, Windows 7 and Bing have seen Microsoft resurgent in the home computer market, it may be short-lived if Google Chrome OS has anything to do with it. Built around their Chrome web browser, Chrome OS looks set to take desktop computing to the web and make it as user-friendly as possible. Should be an interesting battle.
- 3D Television. James Cameron’s Avatar shows that, done properly, 3D can be exciting and involving without being intrusive. With OLED sets offering improved performance and Sony leading the way, 3D television could be the next contender in 2010. And no, you won’t need those crazy green and red glasses.
So that?s the second part of Ten for 10 in 2010. Some of the products mentioned here are out, or close to being out, while others are further down the line. Some may succeed; some may fail miserably. Either way, I think they offer us some cool times ahead. And please, feel free to leave your own views on what’s ahead next year in the comments.
Hope you join me tomorrow when I have the first guest blogger, UK social media maven Shannon Boudjema, who’ll take a look back at 2009 and what she hopes for in 2010.
- Disclaimer – Microsoft is a client of Maritz Canada, yet the views about the products mentioned here are mine alone.
photo credit: Themis was here