The world spins on with more of the
same improvements.
Another year, another deluge of technology
that threatens to drown us all. There had been a lot of hype last year for the
industry, most of which is driven by the impending arrival of Windows 8. It was
hotter than the buzz around the impending iProducts that were expected to roll
out of the production line and the suddenly, yet equally as incredible, short
lifespan of the new iPad. There would be no competition if it had not been for
the hordes of Apple worshippers who care about their beloved i-devices.
The idea that we are drawn to something new
is intimately alien to a species that naturally distrusts anything it cannot
comprehend. This is why the tech industry, as a whole, is an aberration to the
natural world. We want new things that we don’t understand and have even come
to expect it as a given. As unnatural as it is, the whole concept has now
become instinctive for us. Just take a look at the multitude of rumors about
what the big names have in store for us in the coming months!
Prophetic indicators
Predicting the next generation of mobile
phones and tablets would be too easy. We obviously know that another range of
Samsung Galaxy phones, or identical-to-the-one-you-already-own iPhone, or even
something from HTC should be in the cards. Even in terms of specifications, we
wouldn’t be surprise to the see a bump in processing power, some extra RAM and
maybe a little extra storage space. A bigger screen will be about as surprising
as discovering ice in the Antarctic.
Perhaps we should be looking for what
changes we will end up seeing by the end of the decade. After all, there is only
so much one can cram into a phone. Particularly since consumers practically
demand that the form factor must continually become thinner.
Perhaps
we should be looking for what changes we will end up seeing by the end of the
decade
Mobile
The BBC ran a news story about flexible
screen phones and how they expect Samsung to produce one in 2013. We have no
idea where their sources come from but the Brits have a reputation as a
reliable news outlet. That is a proven notion even if the European Union, with
the exception of Germany and Finland, isn’t exactly at the top of the list for
producing the latest hardware.
We have also been aware of the existence of
this technology for some time now (since the 1960s) and most manufacturers have
been experimenting with the idea for years. The implication that Samsung will
be the first to get it to market is frankly, a little suspicious.
Huawei’s
next phone, like this but bigger. Much bigger
The Korean manufacturer has traditionally
been a follower of trends and had only turned into an innovator recently.
Indeed, it has proven itself to be a shrewd business entity by picking up on
the latest gadget and hottest trends, and improve it further to create
something that people will want. Innovation and advancement have not been part
of the vocabulary until demand for smart devices increased. If they are capable
of putting a flexible screen phone on the market before anyone else, then
perhaps we may be seeing a new Samsung - one that creates trends, rather than
follows them.
Has
learnt to stop faking camera ads
Also from Asia, Huawei is taking the
current trend of larger screens to its logical conclusion. The impending Huawei
Ascend Mate is rumored to be a massive 6.1-inch device. That’s only a single
inch away from being a proper tablet. Yes, Samsung’s Galaxy Note II is a
success; but do you really need to outdo it in terms of size? Understandably
there are limits to what one can achieve with the design of smartphones. This,
on the other hand, is pushing those limits in a direction that is close to
lunacy.
The idea that bigger is better appears to
be a very Chinese thing. ZTE has also been teasing a 5.9-inch Windows Phone.
The trick is that this device apparently comes with a full HD 1080p display,
which is interesting because Microsoft hasn’t mentioned anything about WP8
being able to support that resolution. One is tempted to think that this is
Chinese innovation at its finest.
Tablets
Tablets are expected to go through a period
of soul searching. While Microsoft’s Windows 8 platform may not be selling like
hotcakes, even if sales are picking up speed, it can be associated to the fact
that it has ushered in a new range of convertible Ultrabooks that can and will
compete with the tablet market.
With more of these flexible form factor
machines showing up, consumers won’t have to make the choice between content
consumption and creation. In fact, having a tablet that can run full-ledged
Windows programs is something that we have all been waiting for; and better
yet, a smart device that can interface seamlessly with our portable storage
systems.
Tablets
are expected to go through a period of soul searching
Personally, I would like to see fewer
tablets in the market and a greater push towards the convertible form. Google
already has the low-cost Chromebook for purchase, so it shouldn’t be too hard
for them to make the switch over as well. Really, it’s about time to stop
playing around with these half-baked slabs of plastic and get some real
computing done. We have the technology, innovation and, most importantly,
know-how.
Sadly, my personal wish won’t be happening
any time soon. CNET has compiled a list of tablets due for launch in the US for
2013. It is a very long list. And that’s only the devices that they know about.
For all intents and purposes, 2013 may well
be the proper year of the tablet.
What is contained within these tablets is
mostly unknown. However, we know that Intel is beginning to step into the
market, which means the Intel Inside logo might become a common sight for mobile
devices as it is with the home PC. Otherwise, expect more of the same during
the first half of 2013.
