Comments on: Predictions 2013

By: Submitshop UK

Submitshop UK — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 07:58:00 +0000

Brilliant blog. Definitely given me something to think about.Some
interesting thoughts on the subject. Looking forward to see what else
you post in the future.

By: Jignesh Padhiyar

Jignesh Padhiyar — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 13:45:00 +0000

Outstanding predictions and I think you’ll be spot on on almost every one of these.. except of course Twitter and Facebook. The way they’re going right now and the way they appear to be quite confidently moving ahead despite the hue and cry, I think they’re headed straight to walled gardens.

Thanks to you and also to the bunch of commentators here for noting how Google needs to botch up its hardware division. I think they’ve done remarkable work in driverless cars and may be Google Glass too but if they spend a lot more time in mobile hardware, they’ve got a serious chance of taking Apple head on in its own game.

By: johnbattelle

johnbattelle — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 23:49:00 +0000

It’s a very important field, and not just for consumer items. Rapid prototyping, DNA synthesis, etc…stay tuned. Big deal and not just the consumer facing replicators…

By: Jason Hanley

Jason Hanley — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 23:26:00 +0000

Great piece, John, thanks. How do you feel about 3D printing over 2013? Becoming more mainstream/consumer/affordable? Its impact is going to be wider than just the straight tech – it’s going to have a big impact on things like copyright

By: johnbattelle

johnbattelle — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 19:45:00 +0000

Thanks, that was fun to do at Bloomberg.

By: george

george — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 07:01:00 +0000

Really great forward looking aspirations!

Google: I agree with your assessments, perhaps they more than anyone else have a real chance to dethrone Apple. However, I do believe Google struggles with its own business roadmap – at times, they go through some strange metamorphosis, trying to become Apple. I think 2013 is “the pivotal” year for Google, which needs to be software focused…

Appreciate your thoughtful insights and you need to get in front of the camera more in 2013 – great contribution on Bloomberg West!

By: Tom Crowl

Tom Crowl — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 16:43:00 +0000

RE: The Internet enables frictionless (but accountable) payments.

I’d suggest a connection to the similar need for a simple, viable micro-transaction.

On Tools for Citizenship: the Neglected Essential
http://culturalengineer.blogspot.com/2012/09/on-tools-for-citizenship-neglected.html

The same simple method that enables the essential ‘political micro-transaction’ (essential for meaningful citizen lobbying and the inevitable response to the logic of Citizens United) via this simple Internet wallet formulation also enables other transactions as well.

Its not a question of complex technology… its a question of design.

By: johnbattelle

johnbattelle — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 03:37:00 +0000

You bring up a good point, but yes, I do think Google needs to have full control over the next big device, if only to show the way. That’s what the Nexus 4 does, but it’s not what Google could do if they fully integrate. Funny, just saw an ad touting Apple’s iPhone 5 *earphones* – wow. Innovation at work.

By: Michael Brill

Michael Brill — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 01:40:00 +0000

Do you really think there needs to be material innovation on hardware for Google to dominate mobile? It feels like the battle is moving on to software – especially the backend where there is basically no contest. G+ vs. ?, Google Apps vs. ?, Google Now vs. Passbook, AdWords vs. iAd. With Apple fighting a hardware battle with Samsung et al, this seems like Apple-Microsoft all over again.

By: johnbattelle

johnbattelle — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 01:23:00 +0000

Thanks. I did think hard about that word. I really think the original meaning of it needs to be recaptured. But if my readers are offended I’ll change it.