As 2006 draws to a close, and 2007 draws near, DYH is going to make the first in a series of annual predictions for the upcoming year. What’s going to be hot, and what’s not? Here’s what I think:
- Television is going online. More and more shows are going to be available on demand, streamed directly and instantly into your computer. There’s a reason Google paid more than enough for YouTube, and I think it’s because they plan on using the service to distribute full-length television shows. Instead of ads being a part of the show, users will be able to watch their show uninterrupted, and advertisers will make money through AdSense or a similar service. With the growing popularity of DVR services and place shifting technology (ala Slingbox), it’s pretty obvious that people want to watch their programming when they want, where they want, and without commercials, so it’s up to companies to figure out how to advertise differently. Put it online, add a little viral marketing, make it free, easy and customizable, and you’ve got yourself a winner.
- Do it all phones will be the must have gadget. With the Moto Q, Palm, HTC and many more developing phones that are as much computer as they are communicator, the phone that does much more than just talk and photograph is going to rapidly gain in popularity.
- Apple is going mainstream. With Intel finally on board, and Apple able to run Windows programs, it’s time for a change. Plus, Vista is looking more and more like a disappointment. Thus, it’s going to be the year of the fruit.
- Web 2.0 is going to be ubiquitous. As everything goes social, interactive, user based and community oriented, even Time has acknowledged that people run the Internet now. The Internet is going to become a place where people share their ideas and their opinions, and information is going to be spread to more people in more places than ever before.
So there you have it. Some may be right, most will probably be wrong, but I’ve given it a shot. What do you think? Totally off base or spot on? In a year, it’ll be time to look back and look forward again, but until then, I can’t wait to see what the world brings.
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