So we've survived the end of the world that was predicted for December
21, and on December 31 we look at the end of yet another year.
And what a year it was.
While there were no major tech
scares in the form as wildfire viruses, there was a shake-up with the arrival
of Windows 8.
The total refresh in the
operating system that adheres to touch and gestures while extending itself
across screens from desktop to tablet, also signaled Microsoft's foray into
hardware with the introduction of its 'Surface' tablet.
The Operating System itself,
however still leaves something to be desired as users almost need a road map to
navigate.
At the enterprise level, the OS
isn't expected to take hold in 2013, with Gartner analysts saying that most
enterprises won't roll out Windows 8 in large numbers until 2014 at the
earliest.
However, the Windows refresh did
open the window to a new world of devices that gave users the best of two
worlds - tablets and personal computing, with PCs and laptops that respond to
gestures and convertible laptops.
The old divide between Mac and
Windows was clearly left behind in 2012 with new rivals, Apple and Samsung,
fighting turf wars as the Korean manufacturer led Asia's tech rise with world
domination, at least in the mobile market.
Nimble as ever, Apple chose a
divide and conquer strategy, going for world domination with the power of
lightning - the new and tiny power connector; sound - the launch of iTunes in
119 countries and freshly moulded in-ear EarPods; sight - retina displays on
almost everything from the iPad to iMac and Macbook pro; and style to the power
of i - from iPods for music lovers covering all sizes and budgets, with the
iPod touch and nano, as well as the iPhone 5 and iPad mini.
Exhausting as the Apple line-up
seems, there could be more from the team at Cupertino come 2013.
Although Apple never lets the cat
out of the bag, some say there may well be yet another cat to follow in the
paws of Mountain Lion (OS 10).
With the iPod nano growing in
size, the fashionable geek who won't part with the 2011 music player that
became popular instead as a watch, could have a new accessory to flash with the
rumoured iWatch.
And since Apple TV was missed in
the year's makeover list, it could have its turn in 2013 especially with
reports of the company testing out TV prototypes.
With iPad's 'mini me',
Microsoft's 'Surface' and a slew of slates in all brands and sizes, 2013 will
most likely see tablets becoming more of a norm rather than an exception in the
lives of users.
According to Lenovo's Singapore
General Manager, Jessie Quek, the trend to watch is BYO (Bring Your Own) in the
case of devices and the workplace.
"As the younger generation,
who are digital natives at heart, enter the workforce, they will expect that
their organisations to allow them to bring their own gadgets, such as
smartphones, tablets and laptops, to the workplace" said the 20-year IT
veteran.
"Born and bred in the
Internet generation, they consider access from any device and to any data or
app, as their right and not a privilege. Companies will now need to balance the
security needs with these employee demands."
Also noting the trend, security
software firm Trend Micro, has forecast that come 2013, managing security will
become more complex with "users breaking down the PC monoculture by
embracing a wider variety of platforms, each with its own user interface, OS
and security model."
"Today, an increasingly
number of consumers are embracing cloud and mobile services. We need to help
these users have the freedom to enjoy their digital lifestyles safely yet
effortlessly" said Akihiko Omikawa, Board Member and Executive Vice
President of Global Consumer Business for Trend Micro.
With more than 200 million Asian
Facebook users and the Asia Pacific home to more than 1 billion Internet
subscribers and close to 3 billion mobile subscribers, the security firm is
setting its sights in 2013 and beyond, on its consumer business.
At the same time, Trend
acknowledges that the issue of managing the security of devices will be a
challenge for both small business systems as well as large enterprise networks,
with a continued momentum expected of the Asia Pacific market in tablet and
smartphone adoption.
"This divergence in
computing experience will further expand opportunities for cybercriminals and
other threat actors to gain profit, steal information, and sabotage their
targets' operations" warned Trend Micro, which forecasts more cybercriminal
activity through legitimate cloud services and the appearance of security
threats in unexpected places.
2013 will also see the volume of
malicious and high-risk Android apps hitting a million says the security firm
which sees Android possibly dominating the mobile space the same way that
Windows led the desktop/laptop arena, as users lean more towards mobile
computing.
With more on-the-go users, Lenovo
expects the demand for thin-and-light devices to rise.
Does that sound the death knell
for desktop computing, as some have forecast for the future of tech?
"We have always believed
that the PC has a critical role to play in the digital lives of millions of
people and businesses" said the Country General Manager of Lenovo
Singapore.
"At the same time, devices
will come onto the scene that offer different experiences and applications but
have the "heart" of a PC. This is what we call the PC+ Era."
According to Jessie Quek, the
company will rely on its "protect and attack" strategy in 2013 and
will invest more than ever in innovation.
As for Trend Micro, the only
strategy of attack and protect for 2013 is reserved for end-users with a
watchful eye advised on Africa which is making an appearance as a new safe
harbor for cybercriminals.
And though it won't talk of
cyberwars, it forecasts more destructive politically motivated electronic-based
attacks with culprits being hard to discover.
But it won't be a case of out
with the old in the new year.
According to Trend Micro, data
breaches will remain a threat and malware will continue to be a problem but
appearing with more sophisticated ways of deployment.
2013 is also expected to see
users moving from the computer or tablet screen to the big TV screen as the
digital lifestyle extends its footprint.
While the circle extends, so will
the reach of cybercriminals warn security experts, pointing out that consumers
are an attractive target and new technologies provide new venues for
exploitation, especially with TV manufacturers not as capable as computing firms
in fixing security holes as they are discovered.
But with computing firms making
their appearance in digital lifestyle products, there could be some security
reprieve as consumers enjoy more bridges, and less divides, in the tech world
of 2013 and beyond.
-CNA/sf
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