Starting with a review of 2011.

22.12.2011

I know, I know, it’s best to be in the moment, not obsessing about the past or worrying about the future. I completely agree.

But there is also prudence in the old saying that warns us to look to the past to learn the lessons that will assist us in the future,

That’s why we are starting with my selection of my most memorable moments from the past year.

Android

Android 4.0
Android market their fourth year with the release of Android 4.0, a.k.a. The Ice Cream Sandwich. Let’s just name the 3 significant aspects of Android 4.0:
1. it creates a complete integration of phone and tablet,
2. it’s the platform’s first significant UI makeover,
3. it is strongly influenced by Matias Duarte’s design.

WebOS
Has HP withdrawn from the mobile platform race? The controversial decision to put webOS on hold hopefully seems to have been revoked. HP has decided to ease back into the race by open-sourcing the code, still promising hefty investments into the project in the following years.

Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs
One of the most distinct events of the year was the loss of Steve Jobs to cancer. Many have written about mr. Jobs in the past months so there is no need to go into the details of his life and career. I just needed to acknowledge his legacy, not only of iPhone, iPod, iPad or MacBook Air, but also of his remarkable personality.

Kindle – where there is fire, there will be smoke
Still, staying “above the smoke”, Kindle had taken a turn in approach: instead of engaging an open competition with iPad, Amazon oriented Kindle towards content delivery and use. After the release of (lower priced) Kindle Fire, integrated with Amazon services, we are looking forward to see what Kindle has prepared for us in 2012.

SIRI, the voice controlled PA for iPhone 4S
The voice controlled PA (Personal Assistant), SIRI, has not yet reached its’ full potential, even though it has left us waiting for more. Yes, the options at the moment are limited to calendar organizer and communication, but imagine having an AI PA right there on your phone!

SOPA – Who will win the Internet battle?
The Stop OnLine Piracy act has, understandably, provoked quite a revolution in the online community. Enabling the government such a degree of control over content and internet traffic truly seems frightening. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what’ll happen this year.

Windows 8
Taking the game up a notch, Windows 8 brings out its’ best:
Metro design language,
app store,
cloud integration,
ARM support to a general PC audience.
Let’s just hope that we don’t get another Vista….

N.N.