Technology trends for 2012

Video On Demand Online to Grow

Streaming web-based video on televisions is becoming increasingly popular and it will certainly increase in the UK this year with the launch of Netflix and greater awareness of similar services from the likes of LoveFilm. Expect this to grow further with the launch of cloud based services such as Apple TV, too. 

The IEEE predicts that by the end of 2012, nearly 50 percent of US. households and 35 percent of Canadian households will watch Internet video on full-sized TV screens (24-inch TVs or larger) from embedded IP video capable devices or add-ons such as videogame consoles, Blu-ray players or net media players.

Home Networking Technology to Improve

Most homes these days have a number of network devices laptops, PCs, tablets, mobile phones, internet ready TVs and the growing trend in 2012 will be for convergence. Consumers expect their content to be easily accessible – and secure – across all those devices.

So in 2012 consumers should look out for new ‘plug-and-play’ devices capable of finding all available network connections as soon as they are turned on, and the networks themselves will become smarter so that the right quality of service is delivered on every connection for the least amount of energy.  

Fully Connected Services to Grow

The concept of a fully connected society will shift the way people work, think and live. If the technology can be connected, it will be. Ubiquitous, nonstop connectivity is what is next. Expect a lot more of your work and life to head into the clouds, as well as advances in miniaturized sensors so we are able to monitor our health and our environment in real time.

Smartphone Hacking to Increase in 2012

We’ve already seen how devices such as Google Android and other Smartphones can be susceptible to hacking and as mobile becomes an ever popular web platform more and more hacking attempts are likely to be made. The IEEE predict that in 2012 there will see a rapid growth in mobile malware – this could put additional pressure on businesses as more professionals demand access to corporate networks from personal devices, increasing the risks of cyber espionage.

Long Term Storage with Ceramic

Did you know that your digital files – music, documents, photos and music – will not last forever under their current format? So keep an eye out for the development and launch of new super storage devices. Storage devices that etch data in ceramic will make it possible for stored information to last up to 1,000 years.