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It’s A Complex World
The world is complex and getting more complicated. As useful as it is to simplify things, there is still enormous churn. The process of simplification is itself complicated.
Proliferation of Devices
The post-PC era was upon us for a long time, but it has now become mainstream. Use cases are now fragmenting across a variety of form factors and functionality. At one point we thought that there would be one device that could do everything. That is now obviously not the case, and so there is a burgeoning of devices and platforms.
Cross-Platform
We have many platforms, but even more than before, the need for cross-platform computing. Smartphones, tablets, e-readers, home and work computers, and Internet servers. All of these can and likely do run different operating systems. What is needed are applications that can span these heterogenous platforms. Only then can we become untethered in a meaningful way from the demands of a single platform.
Mobile Computing
As devices grow smarter, they each can connect to networks individually and in many locations. Wifi is ubiquitous as a networking option on most devices. Even moreso, 3G is becoming an option on an increasing number of platforms. Mobile computing is here to stay.
Cloud Computing
The cloud is becoming increasingly important. Point-to-point networking between devices is still in wide use but the ability for each device to interact with the cloud is becoming the predominant paradigm.
App Stores
Application delivery is being packaged into single storefronts, with the likes of Amazon, Google and Apple operating as the transaction intermediaries for software and digital media. Expect this trend to continue.
Software Licensing
As important as ever, the licensing of software is becoming a bit more obscure with the proliferation of devices and platforms. Patent wars are breaking out, and there feels like there is less open source and more paid app emphasis than ever.