Sam’s 2012 Predictions: Microsoft - The Dark Knight Rises

Posted by Sam on 18 January 2012   |   Tags: windows phone, Voice Call API, 2012 Predictions.
Comments

As the rest of the team predicted, it's going to be a crazy year of evolution in the mobile world, especially for consumers. As I watch my parents socialize with their peers about which apps they've downloaded lately, I feel that this quote from last year rings even truer this year: "We are reaching the sweet spot as the penetration of a [mobile] technology reaches [the masses]". It's a sweet time to be in the industry for sure. Here are some specifics I see happening this year:

  1. Death of the 'smartphone'
    There was a time when you had to be somebody 'important' to own a smartphone. It was a status symbol aptly named as a phone for 'smarter' people who needed to be more connected than everybody else. Those days are gone. Not only have smartphones warmed up to the masses, but we have more ways to communicate with one another than we ever have. 'Phone calling ' is now only of the many features, and its usage is on a downward trend. In so many ways, it's not just smarter version of a cell phone. It's evolved into something different altogether. Anybody have any name suggestions for our digital swiss army knives?
     
  2. The Phone Disrupts the Home
    This is the year we make huge strides into a Jensens (or Minority Report) type future with mobile being the central hub of it all. Companies like Jawbone, NEST, and Berg have kick started the movement but I believe we will start seeing apps that will completely change our daily 'non-tech' routines. Smart Refrigerators, Smart Washing Machines, and even Smart Windows are all on their way, and they will all interact with mobile devices (see below). As a sidenote, I can't wait for the day I get to exclaim the words: "time to upgrade firmware on my microwave!"


     
  3. Microsoft Gets Bronze in time for the London Olympics
    This year, Microsoft will solidify themselves at the three spot behind Apple and Android as a leader in the mobile OS platform. Their partnerships with HTC and Nokia have resulted in some impressive handsets already, and there is tons of room for developers to differentiate themselves by getting in 'early' on the Windows Platform. I am a Mac user through and through, but with Windows 8 also releasing later this year, I am expecting great things from Microsoft on all fronts.
     
  4. Voice Becomes More Prominent
    I know I just mentioned that phone call usage is decreasing, but voice technology is doing just the opposite. Last year, Microsoft hit a big deal to acquire Skype and we will start seeing Skype integration in Windows Devices in the early half of the year. Siri last year proved that there is still plenty of ground to be broken in voice technology, and now tools like Telesocial's voice API are helping developers get creative with the technology.
     
  5. WIP grows a little bit bigger
    Sorry, I couldn't risk going 0 of 5 in predictions on my first blog post. You're going to see us in more places on and offline!