Predictions for 2005?

Yep, it's the very first day of 2005, which means it's time to open yourself up to plenty of potential ridicule and embarrassment a year from now and make your predictions about what the year ahead holds for the world of gadgets and electronics. Is this finally the year Apple comes out with a video iPod? Will the Xbox 2 actually make it out on time? Does 3G take off? Will TiVo still be in business? You get the picture.

[benv @ Dec 19th 2005 12:08AM]

James Archer at fortymedia dot com was on NPR this weekend talking about the 2005 web predictions. It was interesting to see your take on the gadgets side of things. keep up the fabulous job. I'm lovin it

[Cyrus @ Dec 19th 2005 12:08AM]

Google will reveal a "gbrowser" and everyone will switch to gbrowser. Also a more "messaging" oriented version of hello might be available from google, which is the most awaited IM service, gmessenger. The IM client will integrate all Google software, like Picasa, Hello, Blogger, Desktop Search, etc. (or maybe within 5 years, a linux distro by google will arrive and we will live happily ever after.. ;) )

And.. Microsoft might acquire Maxthon or directly copy the technologies used in it to deliver their next gen browser, or at least an update to their IE6 to fight with Firefox.

For the mobile arena, Nokia will reveal media oriented devices like an MP3-phone or more Media Phones like 7710. Motorola will deliver the iTunes integrated mobile phone with Apple. Samsung's latest devices are already revealed here, so I don't expect more than Thor, Javelin or B-Bop. Wifi will be the most anticipated feature on the mobile devices with 3G services.

Do I sound too unrealistic? We will see ;)

[Suntiger @ Dec 19th 2005 12:08AM]

1. Firefox hits 50% share and announces an IPO in 2006.

2. Absolutely everything, from electric razors to iPods, will have a crappy camera on it. This will lead to the banning of all consumer electronics from public schools and Saudi Arabia.

3. Google Suggest is integrated into the main page by May.

4. Microsoft will release endless minor updates to Windows XP, none of which solve anything, as Linux becomes more popular. Longhorn is delayed until 2008 or later.

5. Google releases Gmail to the public and promptly drives Hotmail and Yahoo Mail under. Third-party internet mail clients are wiped out by the dozen and become extremely scarce. All manner of 1gb imitators pop up, and by the end of the year Gmail has been upgraded to 2gb or possibly even more.

6. 5gb mp3 players are now the size of CF cards.

7. Yet another antitrust suit against Microsoft, this time mirroring the European Windows Media Player suit. Windows Media is removed from Windows and Winamp, which is owned by Microsoft anyway, gains market share.

8. There will be no video iPod.

[JG @ Dec 19th 2005 12:08AM]

3D Realms releases Duke Nukem Forever.

[pete markiewicz @ Dec 19th 2005 12:08AM]

1. 2005 will be the year that it becomes clear that robotics is the 'next' big technology. As robots continue to advance rapidly in capability, it will be increasingly obvious that this is an industry at the beginning or its growth, while the Internet/PC industry will continue to slow into a mature industry like the power companies. It will no longer be possible to be witty by predicting robots will take over the world - too many people will have experience with the real thing for Hollywood-derived fantasy to count anymore.

2. The differences between robots and PC-derived technology (and this includes most gadgets) will become clear. Programming for PCs or games is very different from robotic programming. Some PC/game developers will have an epiphany and realize that they don't know a thing about robotics, and that their software and hardware experience is largely irrelevant for robotic development. Some will begin exploring robotic (e.g. behavior-based programming) as an alternative to standard PC/game programming. Usable (as opposed to endlessly configurable) devices will result.

3. The PC/Internet world will continue to slow growth except in a few niche areas. Most 'new' tech will be a re-hash of 1990s ideas. No new ideas will appear in the PC/Internet world, rather a feeling that the rest of the world must 'get on the bandwagon' and become 24/7 wired or else - get ready for a missionary streak in the computer industry aimed at the great unwashed and unwired.

4. Energy will increasingly become an issue, as the long-term rise in energy prices focuses attention on power-hungry high-end computers. Organizations will begin to look at ways to save money by turning PCs off more of the time. High-end gaming machines sucking 650 watts may get tarred with an 'SUV' style bad rap. At least one country (UK?) will consider setting a maximum per capita energy consumption limit.

5. Young hotshot gadget designers will feel themselves increasingly controlled by older Boomer users, who will begin a long-term revolt against 'cool' devices with tiny buttons and screen letters too small to see for anyone over 40. Designers will not be able to force behavior changes in their audiences - instead the audience will begin to turn the screws on user-centric design.

[St. Chris @ Dec 19th 2005 12:08AM]

Apple's low-cost Mac will turn out to be a consumer audio/video component, a TiVo-killer with integrated iTunes/Music Store, iPhoto, CD/DVD/PhotoCD player, and networking capabilities to act as a home Mac (and maybe PC) media server.

That or it really is an inexpensive pizza-box eMac, in which case they finally reclaim the educational market. "Replace your buggy PCs with these cheap Macs! Use the same monitors you've already got! NO VIRUSES!"

Either way, another win for Apple -- and another Apple machine in my house.

[Pancake @ Dec 19th 2005 12:08AM]

Xbox will be launched in late fall and will have 2 version. 1 with HD and 1 without.

Apple will launch multiple products that will bring the digital home alive.

Other companies will do the same but fall on there faces because as always.. will put product design, usability and functionabilty second and rush forward with crappy products.

Halo 3 will be surprised upon us.

Natual Disasters will grow in numbers.

Robots will start to do human tasks.

Microsoft will not launch their new OS

People will realize Plasma TVs suck and start to buy LCDs

e-ink tvs will hit the market and start the era of paper thin tvs and displays.

Engadget will stop picking Rio's or other non Ipod Mp3 players are the BEST.