We are now properly into 2013, with one major event (CES 2013) already behind us. Time to check what all is in store for this year, which started off at a very exciting note with a bevy of 5" quad core smartphones announced at CES 2013. The next big event is MWC (Mobile World Congress) in February. But before that, we have RIM trying to make a comeback with their all new Blackberry 10 platform, on January 31st.
Blackberry 10
Easily one of the most anticipated products of 2013, RIM is making the debut of their first new platform that people will actually give a damn about (QNX failed too!). The Blackberry 10 OS hopes to put Blackberry back into the trend, where people don't continue using a Blackberry only because they are forced to (company) or because they simply don't want to move away from it's keyboard.
The Blackberry 10 platform with it's first phone, the Blackberry Z10 is all set to make a debut on January 31st. Will this Canadian company get it right?
Intel Haswell Core processors
Intel will release their tock in their tick-tock strategy this year. With Haswell, Intel will continue what they started with the 22 nm and 3D manufacturing process based debut product, Ivy Bridge. With Ivy Bridge, people started giving a damn about Intel's integrated GPU (IGP). The HD 4000 was truly a good IGP and performed really well, especially for a graphics accelerator from Intel (fail in this segment).
Haswell will introduce lower TDP SOCs and processors, and also nearly 3 times faster graphics. Also, the highest end chip will end up with as much as 64 MB of on-die L4 cache for the powerful new GPU. The matured 22 nm manufacturing process will keep power consumption in check despite increase in the graphics core. Again, Intel will replace these products for their price counter parts, or even price it marginally higher as they are doing with every new generation.
Xbox 720 and PlayStation 4
This year is most likely the year when Microsoft and Sony finally release their next generation video game consoles. It's been nearly 8 (7 for Sony) years since a new generation of consoles have been released, and Nintendo's Wii U is simply not considered next generation.
This next generation will be powerful. Gaming at 1080p with AA (MSAA, FXAA) and possibly 60 fps will finally become a reality. After that, nothing more is required really. These companies need to build hardware fast enough to be capable of rendering all this. Expect the rumors to be true about powerful 8 core CPUs and 2-8 GB of RAM as well as yet-to-be-released AMD HD 8800 series based GPU parts in this console (also, AMD Trinity enhanced based CPU in the PlayStation 4).
Samsung Galaxy S IV
Undoubtedly the biggest smartphone launch of the year, the Galaxy S IV will push the Samsung Galaxy flagship to 5" territory, or 4.99" to be precise. Packing a 4.99" Full HD (1080p) Super AMOLED display, an Octa Core Samsung Exynos Octa chipset (4 x ARM Cortex A15 + 4 x ARM Cortex A7), a minimum of 2 GB of RAM, possibly a 13 MP camera module and definitely the latest Android OS (or at least Android 4.2), the Galaxy S IV will be the monster and benchmark to beat for all other smartphones this year.
8 cores in a smartphone? Technology really has come a long way, indeed.
Flexible Displays
Flexible displays are in the trend now, and Samsung already demonstrated it's own Flexible display samples this CES 2013.
A 5.5" 1080p flexible display that you can roll up and keep in a compact space is something everybody wants, right? What's next? Holographic projection? (WE WISH!)
iPad 4S/5, iPad Mini 2 and the iPhone 5S/6
Apple is speeding up their product release cycle, and by quite a lot. iPad 3, iPad 4 and now rumors of an iPad 5 already? Really Apple what are you upto?
The Apple iPad Mini will receive the much needed sequel which will bring in a Retina display (that's a maybe till now) and bring in the newer and faster chipset instead of keeping this product at a lower tier with an older generation of set of internal specifications.
Another product receiving an early update will be the iPhone 5 with a new 5S name tag most probably. Seriously, we do not understand what Apple is doing (except confusing us with bi-yearly product releases) but we hope this year clears everything up.
Google Project Glass
Google's wearable computing, the futuristic Google Glasses will finally see a product release this year. However, this product release will only be to developers who paid a hefty price (nearly $1,500) for a sample product.
We don't expect the first release to be perfect, but really the future has arrived. And Google is the one bringing it to us.
4G LTE
India will see roll out of 4G LTE network for mobile phones this year. 4G LTE will greatly enhance mobile data speeds and call connections. However, compatible 4G handsets are also required.
We don't doubt that as 4G launches, 4G radio packing smartphones will also be flocking hither to appeal to the higher end Indian market.
Windows Blue (Windows 9?)
Microsoft will release their next Windows (already?) which won't be a huge new OS but an incremental update to Windows 8. It seems that Microsoft will somewhat follow a yearly release such as Google and Apple (and in Windows Phone itself) making incremental updates to the OS. Windows Blue will further enhance the Windows 8 experience. The touch UI will become even more prominent.
Let's just hope that they don't do something foolish, like remove the standard desktop altogether. That would really really suck.
Exciting year ahead, 2013. The launch of the Xperia Z and ZL have already set the stage and the upcoming flagships by Samsung, HTC and LG will make another glorious year ahead for us.
Blackberry 10
Easily one of the most anticipated products of 2013, RIM is making the debut of their first new platform that people will actually give a damn about (QNX failed too!). The Blackberry 10 OS hopes to put Blackberry back into the trend, where people don't continue using a Blackberry only because they are forced to (company) or because they simply don't want to move away from it's keyboard.
The Blackberry 10 platform with it's first phone, the Blackberry Z10 is all set to make a debut on January 31st. Will this Canadian company get it right?
Intel Haswell Core processors
Intel will release their tock in their tick-tock strategy this year. With Haswell, Intel will continue what they started with the 22 nm and 3D manufacturing process based debut product, Ivy Bridge. With Ivy Bridge, people started giving a damn about Intel's integrated GPU (IGP). The HD 4000 was truly a good IGP and performed really well, especially for a graphics accelerator from Intel (fail in this segment).
Haswell will introduce lower TDP SOCs and processors, and also nearly 3 times faster graphics. Also, the highest end chip will end up with as much as 64 MB of on-die L4 cache for the powerful new GPU. The matured 22 nm manufacturing process will keep power consumption in check despite increase in the graphics core. Again, Intel will replace these products for their price counter parts, or even price it marginally higher as they are doing with every new generation.
Xbox 720 and PlayStation 4
This year is most likely the year when Microsoft and Sony finally release their next generation video game consoles. It's been nearly 8 (7 for Sony) years since a new generation of consoles have been released, and Nintendo's Wii U is simply not considered next generation. This next generation will be powerful. Gaming at 1080p with AA (MSAA, FXAA) and possibly 60 fps will finally become a reality. After that, nothing more is required really. These companies need to build hardware fast enough to be capable of rendering all this. Expect the rumors to be true about powerful 8 core CPUs and 2-8 GB of RAM as well as yet-to-be-released AMD HD 8800 series based GPU parts in this console (also, AMD Trinity enhanced based CPU in the PlayStation 4).
Samsung Galaxy S IV
Undoubtedly the biggest smartphone launch of the year, the Galaxy S IV will push the Samsung Galaxy flagship to 5" territory, or 4.99" to be precise. Packing a 4.99" Full HD (1080p) Super AMOLED display, an Octa Core Samsung Exynos Octa chipset (4 x ARM Cortex A15 + 4 x ARM Cortex A7), a minimum of 2 GB of RAM, possibly a 13 MP camera module and definitely the latest Android OS (or at least Android 4.2), the Galaxy S IV will be the monster and benchmark to beat for all other smartphones this year.
8 cores in a smartphone? Technology really has come a long way, indeed.
Flexible Displays
Flexible displays are in the trend now, and Samsung already demonstrated it's own Flexible display samples this CES 2013.
A 5.5" 1080p flexible display that you can roll up and keep in a compact space is something everybody wants, right? What's next? Holographic projection? (WE WISH!)
iPad 4S/5, iPad Mini 2 and the iPhone 5S/6
Apple is speeding up their product release cycle, and by quite a lot. iPad 3, iPad 4 and now rumors of an iPad 5 already? Really Apple what are you upto?
The Apple iPad Mini will receive the much needed sequel which will bring in a Retina display (that's a maybe till now) and bring in the newer and faster chipset instead of keeping this product at a lower tier with an older generation of set of internal specifications.
Another product receiving an early update will be the iPhone 5 with a new 5S name tag most probably. Seriously, we do not understand what Apple is doing (except confusing us with bi-yearly product releases) but we hope this year clears everything up.
Google Project Glass
Google's wearable computing, the futuristic Google Glasses will finally see a product release this year. However, this product release will only be to developers who paid a hefty price (nearly $1,500) for a sample product.
We don't expect the first release to be perfect, but really the future has arrived. And Google is the one bringing it to us.
4G LTE
India will see roll out of 4G LTE network for mobile phones this year. 4G LTE will greatly enhance mobile data speeds and call connections. However, compatible 4G handsets are also required.
We don't doubt that as 4G launches, 4G radio packing smartphones will also be flocking hither to appeal to the higher end Indian market.
Windows Blue (Windows 9?)
Microsoft will release their next Windows (already?) which won't be a huge new OS but an incremental update to Windows 8. It seems that Microsoft will somewhat follow a yearly release such as Google and Apple (and in Windows Phone itself) making incremental updates to the OS. Windows Blue will further enhance the Windows 8 experience. The touch UI will become even more prominent. Let's just hope that they don't do something foolish, like remove the standard desktop altogether. That would really really suck.
Exciting year ahead, 2013. The launch of the Xperia Z and ZL have already set the stage and the upcoming flagships by Samsung, HTC and LG will make another glorious year ahead for us.
Buying a new phone? Or a tablet? Need help with something everyday-tech related? Ask me and I'm sure to help!
— Preetam Nath (@hipreetam93) April 18, 2013
— Preetam Nath (@hipreetam93) April 18, 2013