What Is Hot And What Is Not In Technology

Top 10 Winners Predicted For 2007

1. Content Filtering
   With Web content and syndication growing at a rapid pace, locating information is becoming more of a struggle for Web surfers. The abundance of content has made filtering critical to time management. As a result, content filtering and solutions that help with content filtering will be winners in 2007.

2. Personalized Search and Vertical Search
   Search 2.0 will be all about filtering and personalized search. Niche portals with targeted focus will play in vertical search and authority sites will gain even more traction.

3. Social Bookmarking and Social Networks
   Social bookmarking is the new black. The collective voice has not only gained momentum but it has also attracted the most savvy Web marketers. While there is still power of the collective voice, social networks, and social bookmarking has gained attention, the masters behind these networks will need to stay a step ahead of the spammers to stay in the game. The danger is that the crowd will become upset that a small group is profiting from the collective voice. The crowd will likely manipulate the collective voice in 2007.

4. RSS
   RSS is about choice and users choosing the content to which they wish to subscribe. RSS’ adoption will reach significant numbers and even the naysayers will be unable to ignore its success in 2007.

5. iPod / iPhone / Video iPod / iTunes
   Apple has found a sweet spot with its iPod and the iTunes model. Expanding the types of content consumed and the use of iPods and similar devices (i.e. iPhone) will flourish.

6. Cyber Security
   Privacy as we once knew it will never again exist. That does not mean that Webmasters should be come complacent about security. Cyber security will be a necessity in 2007.

7. Going Green
   Alternative energy and going green is in. Geothermal and hydroelectric power are hot, heck, there is little in this field that is not heating up. Clean energy and alternative hybrid sources will prosper in 2007.

8. PodSafe Music
   Independent musicians who are willing to grant podcasters licensing rights will garner the interest and attention of the masses without having to go through a major record label. Opportunities will be plentiful in the area of podsafe music.

9. Videocasting - Video Podcasting
   Software tools and technology have made videos accessible to all. Independent artists, realtors, and sports enthusiasts are flocking to this new medium. It is expected that this growth will continue throughout the new year.

10. Online Real Estate
    While the real estate market is cooling down, selling homes on the Internet is hot. Online real estate auctions on eBay showed realtors a new way to reach a larger audience. Home buyers from across the country can use RSS and/or filtering to monitor properties as they come on the market from specific regions or ZIP codes.

Honorable Mentions

1. Web Services (Software as a service)
2. Mobile Web
3. International Web
4. Local Web
5. Podcast Quality
6. Video Advertising

Top 10 Losers Predicted for 2007

1. Zune
   Lets face it, the future of the Zune is in Apple’s hands more than it is in Microsoft’s. The fact is, unless Apple makes a huge misstep with the iPod, it is unlikely that Microsoft’s Zune will have any luck gaining significant market share.

2. Software Patent
   Microsoft’s attempt to patent RSS will fail miserably. In fact, software patents in general will suffer in 2007.

3. Web sites that Infringe on Copyrights
   Perhaps this is simply wishful thinking. Somehow, somewhere, someone will crack down on flagrant Web site copyright violations in 2007.

4. Video Conferencing
   Video conferencing has chilled. Video is seen more as an entertainment medium.

5. Social Wikis
   Wikis are becoming victims of persistent individuals with too much time on their hands. Credibility has and will continue to suffer in 2007.

6. Journalistic Accountability
   News and tabloid reporting are becoming more difficult to separate; unfortunately, journalists with integrity will continue to suffer as more citizen journalists and bloggers fail to check sources and confirm stories.

7. YouTube in Court
   YouTube has brought video to the masses. While technology has made videos accessible, Google has ignored the issue of copyrights - Google’s pockets are simply too deep. In 2007, it will be held accountable for hosting content that violates western copyright laws.

8. Outsourcing
   Customer service and privacy concerns have cooled big business interest in outsourcing; this trend will continue in 2007.

9. Privacy
   Individual privacy will continue to suffer in 2007. Not a lot can be said about this; the advent of the Internet has meant that privacy will never again exist as we once knew it.

10. Web Legislation
    Attempts to legislate the Internet ecosphere will fall flat.

Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll, software for creating, editing, publishing RSS feeds and podcasts. In addition, Sharon manages marketing for NotePage, a wireless text messaging software company.

Article Source: Ezine Articles

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