If 2011 saw the mainstream adoption and consolidation of consumer technology in the form of smart devices, integrated social media networks, applications etc. 2012 will see the seamless integrations and sustained growth in these very fields.

So let us have an over-view of what are going to be the biggest contributors to this space in 2012. That is of course if the Mayan calendar doesn’t get to us first! :P

Smart Devices

This year definitely is going to see a lot more people glued on to their mobile devices tweeting away, checking into places, sharing and even making purchases! Enthusiastic reports suggest that pretty soon tablets would start replacing PCs, a claim companies like Dell and HP still refute. Yet, the sales of tablets are reaching new heights with almost a 300% increase every year! Take for instance Amazon’s reader Kindle, the iPad series, Samsung’s Galaxy series or even India’s very own “Akash”. And, we can definitely watch out for more players entering the market; case in point RIM with its PlayBook!

Today, smart phones are at the threshold of being a popular mode of purchase and transaction with technologies like NFC that have become a common feature. The reason Smart Phones enjoy their popularity is because well it’s popular, meaning more people are constantly in touch, sharing opinions, liking/commenting on stories, images etc. with their group of friends. The simple integration of social networks into mobile phones has indeed been a game-changer; which bring us to well..

Social Networks

So how did Hollywood look at it, Mark Zukerberg gets a movie that is entirely revolving him whereas Gates & Jobs get Pirates of Silicon Valley. Consider this silly example, because if you look at it Facebook is a common platform for Apple and Microsoft users and even Google purists. Not sure if Sergey Brin and Allen Page are going to get a movie anytime soon because let us face it Facebook pretty much rules the roost in terms of popularity right now. Between 2008 and 2011, Facebook has enjoyed an 1100% increase in active user accounts. More than 30% admit to visiting the site several times a day.  In second place, with 20% users checking into their account more than once a day is Twitter. Take a moment, to reflect on what this simple micro-blogging site has achieved right from being a platform for social causes to revolutions to celebrity break-ups! :P *Slow Claps in the head* Social Networks have provided a platform for businesses like never before, right from wineries to small businesses to even the travel business.

Smart TV

Ok so before you get all ready to chuck out your remote and start pressing keys on your smart phone you need to know who the players are in this space with the likes of LG, Samsung and even Lenovo challenging the vision that Apple first created with Apple TV that would be linked to the iOS! The reason our money is on Apple is mostly because they seem the most in-tune with the user interface experience. These are televisions with Internet access, which enables you to use the TV as a portal for all manner of online services. Surf the Web, share email or access any supported video-on-demand service, including YouTube. And much more… In future, some TV channels will be made available as apps on these next-generation devices. In years to come, it seems you’ll subscribe to the channels you most like directly as apps, using these apps on your television, computer, iPad and smartphone.

For now we these are the 3 biggest biggest game-changers in mainstream consumerist technology for 2012! So what about things like smart cars, gesture recognition, devices with bendy interfaces and the thing looming over all our heads-Cloud computing? Well we have Game Changers of Consumer Technology part II coming out shortly.

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