As the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Eve, millions of people around the world vowed to make changes to the way they live their lives. For some, 2013 will bring an end to smoking, drinking and an unhealthy lifestyle. For me, the new year will also bring some changes, but this year I plan to adjust some of the more technical aspects of my life. Here are my five tech resolutions for 2013.
Windows 8
Consumers aren’t sure of what to make of Windows 8 and it seems as if Microsoft (MSFT) isn’t sure how it should market it. The company’s latest operating system is experiencing slower than expected adoption rates and is even being compared to the widely panned Windows Vista platform.
I’ve used Windows 8 numerous times throughout the past year. I was intrigued by the Consumer Preview, however the new user interface was never to my liking. After it was released to the general public I once again upgraded my computer to Microsoft’s latest offering and was left unsatisfied. The app selection was minimal, the operating system was confusing and I experienced a bug caused my computer to lock up more often than not.
At some point in 2013, however, I plan to fully jump back into Windows 8 and give the operating system the time it really deserves.
Research in Motion and BlackBerry 10
Research in Motion (RIMM) had a rough year. The once-dominant company delayed the launch of its new BlackBerry 10 platform until 2013 and it posted its first subscriber loss. Time and time again, RIM failed to capitalize on a changing market and as result, Wall Street took notice. BlackBerry 10 may be the company’s last chance at a recovery.
Unlike Windows Phone and other new platforms, RIM has a loyal fan base, 79 million to be exact, that it will try to capitalize on. The company has been teasing BlackBerry 10 for what seems like an eternity, but its launch is just around the corner.
I am not counting RIM out and I am excited to see what it can deliver with BlackBerry 10 in 2013.
Mobile Payments
A majority of high-end smartphones these days, aside from the iPhone 5, are equipped with an NFC chip that can be used for wireless sharing and mobile payments, among other things. I’ve been using an NFC-equipped smartphone for over a year and have almost never used the feature.
In 2013, however, I plan to make mobile payments, through either Google Wallet or ISIS, a normal part of my everyday life. Almost every location I shop at has a PayPass system that is compatible with NFC, so it is time for me to utilize this technology and embrace the future.
Post-PC World
Although tablet sales are skyrocketing and analysts have argued that we are entering into a post-PC world, I disagree. I own a handful of tablets that in 2012 rarely saw the light of day. Besides the occasional light reading and casual gaming, my tablets have collected dust throughout the year. Even when I am couch browsing or on the go, I have always preferred my MacBook Air over my 7- or 10-inch slates.
In 2013, however, I am looking to embrace the tablet and shift it away from being a niche in my life to an everyday device.
Google TV and Cord Cutting
Fans of Google TV have been saying the same thing since 2010: it has potential. While this is true, Google (GOOG) is updating its TV platform at a snail’s pace. It is slowly beginning to see improvements though, and with my new subscriptions to HBO Go,
While I won’t completely shun the cable companies for now, I am looking to take the first steps to cord-cutting in 2013.[bgr-post-bug]
