and I missed it for 2012. So here's my take for 2013.
In 2012, we saw that technological advancement is still not slowing down. There was a huge turn out of different mobile devices and the tablet scene is finally picking up the pace. Dirt cheap tablets are coming in. Personal assistant Siri and Google Now had a bit of spotlight as well. Battery capacities are finally starting to increase. Apple played punk by releasing 2 iPads within a year. They also showed that an older architecture doesn't necessarily mean a lesser chip with A6. Frankly 2012 was a disappointing year. I wasn't impressed with a single Android phone. Galaxy S3 Touchwiz UI is still ugly as hell. HTC and Motorola finally unlocked their bootloaders for many phones but it was still difficult to achieve S-OFF with them. Even Samsung and nVidia are still not releasing drivers for the AOSP development community. iPad Mini is a disappointment too. (yeah yeah we all know how Apple works by now, release a lousy device so that they can put in better stuff next year). Windows 8 caused less excitement than I expected. Tablet laptop hybrids are crazy expensive, effectively cranking up the norm prices for a standard laptop again. Windows Phone 8 was still meh.
What Should Happen in 2013
1) Flexible Display
Samsung and Apple are getting in on this one so I think we should start to see the first non-straight device in 2013. Can't imagine how a device's screen can bend within the insides bending though.
2) Higher Capacity Battery
With Samsung Galaxy S3 and Motorola Razor Maxx putting in large batteries inside slim bodies, it appears that it is possible to have high capacity batteries in a slim profile. The processors are getting more and more powerful. Bigger batteries would be nice.
3) Custom Processors like A6
I would expect the likes of LG and Huawei to go deeper into custom processors instead of just using the common ones like Qualcomm's in hopes of achieving what Apple did with A6. More variation might have its good but I also expect more problems with apps compatibility and more hassle among the AOSP community.
4) Cheaper Mainstream Tablets
With rumours of a $99 or $129USD ASUS tablet, it seems like everyone is forced to lower the prices of their tablets. It just doesn't seem worth it to get a tablet at $999 anymore if they can do almost the same things. iPad Mini was a big disappointment in the price range department. I suppose Apple makes premium goods for a price but that much more expensive than Nexus 7?
What I want to see in 2013
1) NFC adoption
NFC is picking up the pace too slowly. Sure we could put the blame on Apple for not joining the wagon since they would definitely boost the adoption speed by leaps and bounds. But I guess Google should have quite a bit of influence too right? Hopefully more OEMs and credit companies would open up to NFC.
2) Wireless charging
This is just for my convenience I guess. It's getting too little hype.
3) Less devices
More thoughtful designs, less variation please. I think Motorola is heading in a good direction. They only have a few good devices whereas HTC, Samsung, Sony all have a huge range that it's hard to keep up. Before you know it there's a slightly better upgrade to a phone that's a few months old. All these OEMs have mentioned of lesser but higher quality devices but looks like their hands are still quite itchy.
4) HTC to wake up their idea
Yes, I have been a user of HTC for a while. And there's nothing but disappointment in 2012. No LTE in flagship devices, multiple flagship devices etc. Stupid One X+ upgrade though Droid DNA was just nearing launch. These are all crazy mistakes.
5) Higher adoption of LTE
Singapore is finally in the LTE game but there are still way too few LTE devices.
6) Blackberry's comeback
I know nobody cares. But more competition is always good. I would like to see how Blackberry makes a comeback and if those who abandoned Blackberry and tasted iOS or Android would go back or not.
7) Google's smart watch
Google has made a patent on smart watch for some time but we still haven't seen anything yet. Now that there's rumours of Apple and Intel ganging up to make a smart watch, Google better watch out. Time is running short.
8) Google Glasses
The Google Glasses Demonstration during Google I/O 2012 was superbly impressive. If I had the money I would have ordered the prototype. Having a wearable computer in the size of your glasses is beyond cool. Looks like futuristic technology is finally coming.
9) Less patent wars
Seriously enough is enough.
