JasonSlater.co.uk technology predictions for 2008

In response to Jamie at Terinea call for technology predictions for 2008, here are my top 5 technology predictions for 2008:

The Year of the Zune

After a fierce price and feature battle, Microsoft Zune will overtake the Apple iPod as the most common PMP. Engadget have a good comparison of the two technologies whilst GizmosforGeeks describe the Zune as one of their 12 Gizmos of Christmas.

Budget ‘Back to Basics’ Laptops

A campaign already started by the likes of Asus with it’s eee laptop. Budget ‘back to basics’ laptops that simply have Internet access, Email Access and News feeds will become hugely popular appealing to the masses of non-techies who simply want to check their email and do a bit of word processing whilst not getting bogged down with complicated operating systems.

Home Robots

It started with robotic vacuum cleaners such as the Roomba and the Sony Aibo but 2008 will be the year of the home robot.  The BBC were only a year out when they released this article. TechDigest have a good article on the home robot iRobiQ here.

Mini Projectors

Mini Projectors, or Pico Projectors will make their first appearance on high end mobile phones and handheld gaming devices. See this T3 article. Wiki also talk about it here.

Super/Ultra High Def Video

With High-Def becoming the standard, Super High-Definition (or Ultra High Definition) at twice High-Def resolution will make its first appearance. Wiki have a good description of high defintion technologies here.

For a more light-hearted view, here are my top 5 alternative predictions for 2008:

• We will start getting the bandwidth we ordered on Broadband.
• Spam will mysteriously disappear overnight.
• Microsoft and Apple will merge their operating systems in a bid to end Linux.
• No public personal data will be lost by large public organisations.
• A re-discovered Analogue will re-emerge as a superior alternative to digital.