2014 Predictions

With the first day of 2014 up on us all, let’s take some time to look at what the year may bring.

Last years list was fairly specific and I hit a few of them quite well. With the predictions for the world of technology in 2014, I’ve going to separate it out in to Specifics and Trends.

Specifics

Apple:

  • New design, larger screen iPhone to be launched at the end of summer. (Want something more specific? How’s about an announcement event on the 9th of September and being on sale on the 19th. That’s based on the pervious generations launches.)
  • New iPads to be launched in October. No design change. Mostly internals and the addition of the Touch ID. Some sites are claiming the existence of a 12.9 inch version. If that’s true it will be a niche product.
  • Updated MacBook Airs. Retina screens and a slightly refreshed design. I’d even be tempted to say there will be a lower cost version made from composite materials with non-retina displays.
  • 4K Apple Thunderbolt 2 Display.
  • Apple’s entry in to wearables. I’m not sure if they will actually go with iWatch. I’d be tempted to say they will get a dedicated event for this product.

Android:

  • Samsung will release several new versions of their next flagship handset in February. They will also release handsets every month to maintain their position as ‘market leader by shipments’.
  • HTC will continue to have market issues and struggle. This is only going to end with them being acquired.
  • Google’s purchase of Motorola has given birth to some very promising handsets in the Moto X and the Moto G. I would expect to see a Moto Nexus with the next major version of Android next Autumn.

Microsoft:

  • Windows Phone is rapidly becoming the budget smartphone OS for Europe. This will continue, should Microsoft take the existing Nokia plan. Microsoft are in a very odd place at the moment, so specific predictions are difficult. I know what I’d like them to do.

Trends

There’s going to be some interesting developments in 2014 with some technologies reaching a level of commercial maturity.

Wearables
With me happily living with my Pebble, I am looking forward to what will come next from the wearables space. Samsung’s Gear was not well received, expect them to try again harder and to join LG and a number of others with health and fitness trackers. Nike, FitBit and Jawbone have run this space for quite some time, but the larger companies are coming.

Apple will enter the field too. This will bring something new to the market and make other devices look archaic in one move. Google’s Glass should become commercially available but whether or not it will be a success will be based on how well priced it is and how the public react to people walking round with cameras and computers on their faces.

In car entertainment and information (Infotainment Systems)
Apple’s iOS in the car will have a big effect, as will Google’s moves with other manufactures but given that these are only going to be in new cars, the impacts will be minimal. For someone to really win the automotive sector, they need to do something like a Chromecast for cars or go down the same route as Automatic.

Time Shifting Entertainment
Personal video recorders, online streaming services and digital content have all changed the way in which we consume entertainment. Netflix are bring more original content to their service and given that more people are choosing to cut the cord and more to a subscription based service across devices, we can expect some big moves from other players. BSkyB have made a good effort thus far in the UK. If they went international, Netflix and LoveFilm should be worried.

Round Up

There you have it. Some predictions for 2014. There are some things I’ve elected not to cover, such as developments in processor technology, the shift in power for web apps and the importance of HFR 3D in films (that last one will be more important in 2015). To that end, there’s so much potential for surprise and delight, that trying to guess it all, removes part of the fun that comes from being genuinely impressed.

2013 was an important year for innovation, I hope 2014 brings some much needed awe.

Happy New Year!