So what might the major tech developments of 2012 end up being? Anything could happen over the course of the next twelve months, but many tech bloggers and industry leaders have attempted to make educated guesses, and some are not a huge surprise.
Almost everyone is in agreement that businesses will continue to focus on sustainability within technology. The concept of going green was ubiquitous in 2011 and the trend will continue to develop and expand in 2012. Here at Plum, we have continuously lauded our hosted IVR offerings for the environmental benefits they offer and will also continue to develop and improve our technologies in order to improve performance, while also considering sustainability.
As we have noted, IVR’s version of the cloud is hosted IVR. The continued adoption of cloud computing services and applications will remain a huge tech trend in 2012. Businesses, from the largest corporations to the smallest local establishments, have in recent years realized the convenience and usability offered by the cloud. This trend is predicted to surge in 2012, with the ever-expanding host of applications and programs offered on the cloud.
In terms of gadgets, 2012 will certainly have some exciting offerings for the technologically minded. The introduction of the smart phone has given way to countless applications that streamline consumer communications on the go. Even Plum’s IVR systems have been altered and improved to work well with mobile technology.
In 2012, people will become even more interlinked with their mobiles, with their phones being used to make actual monetary exchanges, like a mobile wallet of sorts. Google has already launched their version of the wallet on the Android platform, and it basically allows you to pay for goods simply by taping a screen. In this program, money will be deducted from a prepaid account.
2012 is predicted to bring more than a few huge developments in mobile technology. The moment everyone has been waiting for (or dreading) may finally arrive and Facebook may release a smart phone, complete with a special Facebook operating system that the device will run on. A huge majority of companies have products that integrate with Facebook (including Plum’s) and the introduction of an actual Facebook phone will forge even greater relationships between social media and technology.
Although we all thought we would get it last year, Apple will hopefully be unveiling the iPhone 5 that will not only be equipped with wallet capabilities, but also technology that could turn your phone into a key to your home or perform other similar functions.
The rise of smartphones and tablets that can be taken virtually anywhere on the go has meant that less people are investing in home computers and laptops. However, many predict that there will be a resurgence of home computing upon the advent of much cheaper computers. The argument for tablets has typically been that they offer mobility at a lower price point. However, if companies begin to develop technology that allows for the production of home computers at an equally low price point, there will more than likely be a huge uptick in sales.
There are myriad possibilities for potentially exciting tech developments in the year ahead. One thing that is clear from these predictions is that companies in the tech sphere need to be on their toes, ready change or alter their development process at any moment based on customer trends and preferences in order to remain competitive and to satisfy their customer base.
