This year, consumer electronics ruled the roost in the technology world. The space saw intense action - Samsung gave a tough fight to Apple and Amazon, and Google made an entry into the enterprise computing world. Also, Google came out with wearable technology.
It seems 2014 won't be any different, though it is expected the lines between consumer and enterprise technology will be blurred, as usage patterns change. If 2013 was all about mobile technology, 2014 is expected to be the year of wearable technology.
Next year is also expected to be an action-packed year for several chief executives of technology companies. Leading the pack will be Apple's Timothy Cook. He may not have been as innovative or vocal as ex-CEO Steve Jobs, but he has ensured the company maintains its market cap.
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For Cook, 2013 was less about innovation and more about upgrades. However, going by media reports, 2014 could be different - Apple may finally unveil the wraps around the iWatch. In July this year, the company filed a trademark for the word 'iWatch' in several countries. It also filed 79 patents containing the word 'wrist'. Moreover, Cook has said wearable technology is a major area of interest.
It is speculated Apple may launch a bigger iPhone6 or an iPad with a bigger screen. Cook will have to take a decision on a large-screen iPhone, as other smartphone manufacturers have been gaining market share in this segment. Developments around iPad's screen size will also be closely watched. With a large screen, the iPad will compete in the laptop segment.
Also keen on wearable technology is Google's Larry Page. While Google offered Google Glass to a handful of developers and technology enthusiasts for $1,500 this year, there is buzz a public release is likely early next year. The Google Glass will redefine the use of consumer technology, as it allows a user to click pictures and take videos, either through voice commands or touch controls. 2014 may also see Google announcing a clear strategy on its hardware offerings, with Motorola being the centre of action.
With the market accepting Google's Nexus 4 and 5 offerings as complete and economical smartphones, it will make sense if the search giant focuses more on its hardware strategy.
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer made sure 2013 was all about Windows 8, though the acquisition of Nokia made news, too. In 2014, the biggest news for the company will be an announcement on the next CEO. The board has indicated it may announce the next CEO early next year. Several names have been doing the rounds, including internal candidates such as enterprise chief Satya Nadella and strategy head Tony Bates, and Nokia's Stephen Elop.
The next Microsoft CEO will have to focus on making enterprises that prefer Windows 7 shift to Windows 8, as support for the XP comes to an end next year.
Though it is expected Google and Apple will be the newsmakers, the Kwon Oh Hyun-headed Samsung will not be far behind.
The domestic field
Mobile phone manufacturer Micromax will be tracked closely. Earlier this year, Rahul Sharma, co-founder of Micromax, took many by surprise when he announced Hollywood actor Hugh Jackman was the brand ambassador for the company's smartphone category. With this, the company clearly showed it sought to be a serious player in the highly competitive global smartphone market. In India, it is already giving a tough fight to Samsung; its market share in the smartphone segment is the second-largest.
Talk of India's technology landscape will be incomplete without the mention of the $108-billion information technology (IT) services market. This year saw the return of N R Narayana Murthy at the helm of Infosys, India's second-largest IT services company. Murthy will be watched closely, as he tries to bring the company back to the growth path.
Another area likely to see action is technology start-ups. According to Zinnov, India is to become the second-largest technology start-up ecosystem in the world. Through the last two years, about 20 privately-run accelerators and funding groups were launched, with most supporting five-10 start-ups a year, on an average. With a large numbers of stakeholders supporting start-ups, India is on the road to a new age for technology entrepreneurs. And, growth is expected to be such that the size of today's Silicon Valley may be achieved in about half the time.
