2010: The year of mobile internet and cloud computing

This year should see the rise of mobile internet and the continued use of cloud computing and storage, according to a new prediction for the year ahead.

According to Dan Calladine, head of media futures at Isobar, mobile should see the most interesting technological developments this year, with the iPhone app store possibly hitting 8 billion downloads by the end of 2010. However, Calladine believes that there will be strong competition from Google, Nokia and Blackberry, particularly following the release of Google’s Nexus One handset.

Elsewhere, he predicts that the cloud, augmented reality and video will also make major waves this year. Augmented reality is expected to enhance the appeal of smartphones, while video – and particularly YouTube – will hit the heights through offering full length films, TV shows and sports events.

Mobile payments also crop up in Calladine’s look ahead at the top 10 trends for the year. “The idea of using a mobile phone as a virtual wallet, or being able to ‘text’ money to friends seems likely to gain traction next year,” he said.

Other themes set to hit the headlines this year are the growing Asian influence, with Calladine pointing out that China is already the single largest online country, Twitter, and measurement, one of the “keys to understanding communities”.

“2010 will see major advances in the measurement of social media effectiveness and mash ups in measurement between different media,” Calladine said.