There is so much happening in the world of mobile technology right now that even a complete gadget geek such as myself finds it hard to keep up. So I hope you will find the following a handy review of the headlines that have made news so far in this sector in 2012, and what we can still expect to see as the year progresses;
1). Google buys Motorola
This is particularly interesting to me as it could ultimately turn out to be a big game changer. Historically, Google has not got involved with hardware. Its Android OS is Open Source and freely available to all developers and manufacturers. HTC and Samsung are the most notable tech giants who sing from the Android hymn sheet when it comes to their smartphone devices. Apple have iOS of course which is completely proprietary - meaning it can only be used on Apple Hardware. Could this purchase be an early indication of Google considering a similar path? It's hard to imagine Android being closed off in such a way - especially when Google and Samsung in particular seem to have such a strong partnership.
However, saying that - Google CEO Eric Schmidt used to be on the board of Apple, and was even present onstage at the launch of the original iPhone. Things can change very quickly though. The Apple/Google relationship went sour when Google created Android - with Steve Jobs claiming it was stolen software and vowing to go to "thermo nuclear war" with Google over it. The suits and counter-suits are continuing to this day!
Those in the know however, suggest that Googles primary motivation for this purchase was to improve their own weak patent base. Motorola seemingly held some very useful patents, and Google have no doubt seen the opportunity to acquire some very valuable intellectual property to strengthen their position in their ongoing war with Apple.
Time will tell how this one turns out - but if I were Samsung right now, I may be wishing that I had beaten Nokia to Microsofts door to get on board with the fast emerging Windows Phone platform. I have a sneaky feeling that Google and Samsung may not be such good buddies in a year or so down the line.
2). The New iPad arrives
Apple launched its 3rd generation tablet device in April and called it "The New iPad". For me, even as an Apple Fan - this model feels like it's been put out for the sake of it. The iPad2 was significantly better than the original iPad. It introduced a thinner form factor, front facing camera, and the A5 Processor to note a few features.
The new iPad on the other hand is thicker, has a 5mp camera as compared to the 8mp camera on the iPhone 4S. It doesn't have Siri, but it does have a new A5X chip, quad core graphics and a retina display (meaning that the human eye is unable to discern individual pixels on the touchscreen). The design is almost identical to the iPad2 (apart from being thicker as I said). The price remains the same and you can also still pick up a new iPad2 for $100 less in the US, and £70 less here in the UK.
Overall, a disappointing stop gap for me! Do I still want one at some point though I hear you ask - of course I do!!! I don't know why, I just need it!! And so do millions of other people it seems - as predictably the new iPad has been a major success. Unlike the smartphone market, Apple is still very much King of the Tablets. There is nothing to touch the iPad, and until Windows 8 Tablets start arriving on the market - nothing will.
3). Samsung Galaxy S3 is launched
In fact, the UK launch date for this device is today. The S3's predecessor (the Samsung Galaxy S2) has been an enormous success and has catapulted Samsung ahead of Apple as the worlds largest Smartphone Manufacturer. Samsung are getting such a fanbase for their phones that I hear that people have actually been queuing (Apple Store style) for them overnight as they simply cannot wait to get their hands on the latest "King of the Android Phones". I've not seen an S3 yet. Ironically, I only got to play with an S2 for the very first time yesterday - and I have to admit that I liked it. Early reports on the S3 suggest that it will continue to help Samsung dominate this market. The only reservation I have heard about it so far is that the plastic case makes the build feel a little cheap. I will certainly check one out when I get the chance though that's for sure.
4). The new iPhone is coming
Surely, it has to this year doesn't it? Last year, Apple disappointed millions when they failed to release the iPhone 5, and instead launched another iPhone 4 with an extra set of antennas, Siri, a better canera, and iOS5 - and called it the iPhone 4S. And like the mugs we are, we all got one and made it the best and fastest selling iPhone so far. I swear, Apple have built up such a unique brand loyalty over the past couple of years that they could release practically anything and we would buy it.
That being said, I don't think they can get away with such an obvious stop gap again this year. With the release of their S3 today, Samsung have basically sat back and said "over to you Apple - let's see what you've got", and I for one expect them to respond with something special. I predict that the next generation iPhone will launch in October this year with a completely new design and with iOS6. There have been rumours of a bigger screen which concern me slightly as I prefer the size of the iPhone screen I must admit. Apart from that, who knows what we can expect. I have heard the possibility of a liquid metal casing, and an edge to edge screen, no home button - the rumours just go on and on. Until you see Tim Cook and Phil Schiller on a stage with it though - don't believe anything!
5). Microsoft are doing a Madonna
Microsoft have been quiet the last couple of years I feel. Sure, they put out Windows 7 but there has been very little fuss about this, and most people these days seem to be talking about Apple, Google, Samsung, Smartphones, Ultrabooks and Tablets. Microsoft have seen their revenue from sales of PCs drop very drastically as a result of their rivals launching the "Post PC Era".
All the while though, they have been quietly reinventing themselves, and later this year - Windows 8 will arrive. If you have read any of my posts to date on Windows 8, then you know that I am very excited by it. The Windows 8 tablet version could very well emerge as the first serious competitor to the iPad. I love my iPad as you know, but there are still things that I cannot do on it - and when this happens, I have to power on a laptop and that is frustrating. I believe Windows 8 tablets will change this, and take the Post PC Era to a whole new level. You will have all the benefits of a touchscreen device - without some of the restrictions and obstacles that you face on the iPad. I for one will be keeping my eye on this. We were planning to change our home laptop at some point but now I think we will wait until we can replace it with a suitable Windows 8 tablet device. In fact, I don't want to buy a device with a physical keyboard ever again if I can help it.
6). Best of the rest
I've been impressed with the look of the Nokia Lumia - although I haven't had the chance to take a proper look at one as yet (I wish I was important enough for manufacturers to send me their phones so I could test them out)! I expect their partnership with Microsoft to flourish over the next couple of years however.
HTC remain pretty strong in the smartphone market too. The HTC One is their flagship phone at the minute and it looks pretty good, although maybe not as good as a Samsung. HTC have a mixture of Android and Windows Phone running on their devices which I find a little strange. They do seem to have their own dedicated fan base too though and I expect they will continue to do well.
The Sony Experia range also looks very good - but Sony don't seem to be making much impact in this or any other market these days to be honest. They are very much playing second fiddle to the smartphone giants of Apple, Samsung and HTC.
And that's about it. I hope you've enjoyed this little run through. If you can think of an event, or device that I've omitted that you think is important or will make a big impact this year - then please let me know!
Peter
