Hottest Technology Trends for 2012

2010 and 2011 were known as the years of the tablets and Smartphones - where the hottest technology trends were those which were dominated by the touch screens. With Apple shinning brighter than any of its counterparts with the iPhone and the iPad, the precedence was set for the rest of the tech companies to follow.

If technology trends are to be kept in sight, then 2011 was also surely the year that the cloud-based services and their potential were recognized.

So with the year almost over, the question that's popping up in everyone's mind is, which technology trends will define 2012?

Here are a few top choices for definitive technology trends for 2012:

1. 'Cloud' is here to stay!

Yes, you read that right. With Apple pushing iCloud out in the mid-October, there is much more yet to come from cloud computing. As more and more IT departMents move away from the traditional sharing of resources, over to cloud services we're seeing ever shrinking private data centers which are sure to make their mark on not just technology but businesses at every front.

Moving everything over to the internet for IT companies is also an easier choice as it gives them much more freedom to move around their data between multiple centers. Industry analysts predict that in the next couple of years, businesses are likely to 'rent' their servers rather than maintaining their own. Thereby making sure that this is one trend that's here to stay.

2. Internet Television

Google did dabble into the internet TV market in early 2010, but just like Google Wave (and very recently Google+, which got rave reviews but eventually failed to make its' mark) it flopped. Though in all honesty, the reviews for Google TV weren't all that great but coupled with poor service and lack of interest from the public made Google table the deal for a bit.

However, 2012 might just prove to be the year of Internet TV. With Sony's Internet HD TV, Logitech's Revue and Apple's foray into Apple TV, Internet TV is certainly poised to make a comeback as one of the biggest technology trends for 2012.

3. Better, Faster and cheaper Smartphones

As more and more inexpensive, Faster and 'good lookin'' devices are coming into the market, the competition is getting tougher for Smartphones. One thing is for certain though; Smartphones define the future of technology.

The iPhones and the Androids have the market pretty much cornered but it's an open field for their competitors who are out there making cheap Smartphones that cater to every need. Mark our words, this is the future and is probably going to remain one of the hottest trends for year 2012!

4. A Hybrid between a Laptop, Smartphone, Tablet and a PC

With more and more users opting for smart phones and tablets like the iPad and the iPhone the market is ripe for hybrids, thus making it one of the most eagerly awaited technologies for the coming year.

The PC market has taken a hit with its' sales down in the year so far, but all is not wrong as the tech companies acknowledged that the consumer is looking for a cross over device that comprises all of the technologies that are part of their daily lives.

With Apple's iPad providing some sort of cross over gadget between the above, Google has its' Chromebook in the works whereas HP has its Omni PCs to thank and improve in the coming months. We're waiting to see what magic the tech companies have in store for the next year!

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