Hardware 2.0 Tech predictions for 2016
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With 2015 drawing to a close, it's time to once again pull out the crystal ball and see if we can make some predictions on what the New Year might bring.
iPhone sales will fall
Morgan Stanley's chief financial analyst Katy Huberty called this one earlier this month. . The big question is, with so much of the company's profits hinging on this single device, where will Apple go next?
Windows 10 upgrades will continue to be free
Microsoft wants us to believe that free Windows 10 upgrades are a time-limited offer, but combining an offer with a "hurry, do it now!" is an older-than-dirt sales trick. Given how aggressively it's currently pushing Windows 10, how far Microsoft is away from that target goal of one billion devices running the operating system within 2 to 3 years, and the fact that growth is sluggish, .
More nagging
There's so much competition for user attention, and the word "free" no longer sells like it once did, that both Apple and Microsoft have resorted to desperately nagging users to upgrade, try new services, and even upgrade hardware. I don't expect the hassling and nagging to end any time soon.
iPad sales will continue to fall
The iPad is on a downward trajectory, and while the iPad Pro might buy Apple a quarter or so, it's hard to see how anything (other than perhaps a radical change in pricing) can change things.
Some manufacturers will exit the Android space
The Android space is too crowded with players, and now that we're seeing $50 devices that aren't awful, that's going to put pressure on some of the players who are already struggling to keep their heads above water.
Windows Mobile will remain the mobile underdog
There doesn't seem to be room in the mobile market for a third wheel. With limited handset options, and dwindling developer support, there's not an awful lot of reason for consumers to choose Windows Mobile over iOS or Android.
Wearables won't be an enterprise player
Not in 2016 at any rate. While there's no doubt that progress is being made, and that products such as Microsoft's HoloLens are getting better, there's still a lot of room for improvement.
Drones, drones, drone
Expect to hear a lot more about drones, both consumer and enterprise. But will we see drone deliveries happening during 2016? I doubt it.
Android security
While Google is undoubtedly working on making improvements to how updates are piped to Android users, there are still a lot of old, crusty hardware out there that's not getting updates. These will present a problem for years to come.
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