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Go Go, no wait a minute, Gadget Go by Tom Brookes 2010 was billed as THE year for both Google and Microsoft. However since the start of the year there has been nothing but talk of crisis after crisis for them with multi-angled criticism from the media. The Google network has been hacked in China, amidst many censorship rows, as they prepare to enter the Asian market. These Chinese hackers also compromised Internet Explorer (IE 6- 2000) but the UK ignored France and Germany’s warnings (no surprise there) and continued to use it, a chance for Firefox to make ground in 2010? This all appears to be a demonstration against Google’s somewhat inevitable future market domination, now launching Phones and new Software (Chrome and Wave). This also highlights that China’s mass market might be tougher to break than first predicted. Already, following closely on, there is much talk about a ‘Dark Market’ now ever-present, with many experts predicting rises in cyber crime and web related fraud. The outcome of all this is a new, larger spotlight on e-security. 2010 and a large chunk of I.T dominance will be seen in the form of gadgets. The 2010 Consumer Electronics Show was a showcase for Video on Demand services and TV related software apps. There is also much debate about the subject of 3-D (TV), eBooks and more prominently in the media – the incoming Apple Tablet (revealed on the 27th but not out until June). The other market battle will be in the computer games arena with Sony vs. Microsoft (and Nintendo too with a new DS) with Motion-capturing devices the first addition. The government project Digital Britain and its bill will likely cease as the upcoming election (in May) intervenes and may stop any legislation in progress. The realisation of possible change has many Business Support Agencies fearing for their existence and so many funded projects are completing and few projects are beginning. These support agencies, for many, have taken a back step with Universities and Science Parks leading on SME B2B projects, collaboration and R&D specifically. The focus for Government this year should still remain on Next Generation Broadband (and web 3.0 etc) and more Wi-Fi connectivity. Social media is still something of a buzz in ICT currently and no doubt interest will peak in 2010, with Twitter unquestionably leading the way. It will also be interesting to see who buys up such sites, whether they start introducing more monetized apps for them and how Businesses will grow their involvement in such opportunistic markets. Other New Year articles saw BMI reduce its number of Business Class flights, Banks becoming more ‘transparent’ and business-friendly, as well as many mergers and buy-outs – all starters of activity to come in 2010. 'Cloud' Computing and Software as a Service (online networks and storage too) should continue to develop and be adopted creating more virtual, mobile, accesible offices. So to wrap up, 2010 should be gadget frenzy (predominately mobile) with a post- summer structural change affecting ICT and Technology Businesses. Businesses will have to become more public, accessible, secure, sociable, interactive and innovative to prosper. |
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