I know there are a lot of these out there, but they are kind of fun to write and to look back on every year. Since this is my first one, we’ll have to wait until next year to see how right or wrong I was.
1) 2009 will be the year of the apps
Finally! As a mobile app company, I am delighted to finally see proper mobile app ecosystems being created. I have to hand it to Apple- they were the ones who finally made a “mobile app” mainstream. Mobile apps have been around forever, but until Steve Jobs really plugged the App Store, mobile apps were still mainly for us mobile geeks. And please don’t even mention Mosh- what a disaster. As a Nokia fan, I was really disappointed when I saw Mosh become a cesspool for garbage.
2) Android will be bigger than iPhone
I know, so very obvious, but it needed to be said. Being that Android is open-source, powerful, and free, we will be seeing it on plenty more devices in 2009, and will inevitably become bigger than the iPhone. The reason I put this in is because it begs the question: if Android will become bigger than the iPhone, will Android’s “App Market” ecosystem hold up, or become another Mosh?
And if someone doesn’t get Android onto a better-looking piece of hardware, Hillel will never try it out.
3) Qik will be integrated or acquired by an OEM
Pat Phelan called it too, but it seems pretty obvious to anyone in this space. Qik is an amazing mobile video streaming service, probably the best implementation of mobile video streaming out there. It’s a natural extension of a truly mobile lifestyle, and any OEM who picks them up will be very lucky. Plus, they are nice guys.
4) Palm…
This one is too close to call. I’m going to say that whatever they are launching at CES will be good, but not great. I don’t see them disappearing in 2009, but who knows, maybe they’ll try out Android instead in WinMo?
5) Not another iPhone
As I discussed with Hillel in LikeMob episode 2, I don’t buy the rumours of a new iPhone. I just don’t see it. And what I mean by a new one is like a secondary track, not necessarily an upgrade. Meaning, I don’t see there being an iPhone 3G along with an iPhone nano or something. Maybe an upgrade to the 3G (video calling, hello!?!?), but I just don’t see a whole new model happening.
6) Nokia N97 doesn’t kick as much ass
Don’t get me wrong- I am getting an N97. Mark my words. I just don’t think Nokia went out there as much as they could have. It felt as though they came up with something to compete with the iPhone, but not something that will blow it away. And what is with all their proprietary web services?? Haven’t they heard of Google, and how people love using it? Why on earth would I use Nokia mail? Seriously Nokia, you guys make great hardware, why not partner with people who make great software? (like FlyScreen 
)
6 should do just fine. Feel free to go check out FlyScreen and make it a 2009 success too!
-Itamar
