We survived 2010 and are still addicted to the web in 2011. While some of us will be looking for ways to make extra tabs inside our countless browser tabs, others will be accessing the web in new, alternative ways and on devices web developers could never have anticipated. The following are eight trends we should watch closely in 2011, as the web continues to grow with or without our nurturing.
1. The Leak Becomes a Flood
The governments of the world should have known that if they poked at the WikiLeaks hole long enough, it would open the flood gates. It is not the reactionary cyber-attacks that should concern them, however, it is calculated freedom of information backlash that will come in 2011. If WikiLeaks takes a fall, we will undoubtedly see numerous copycats surface, and the leaks sites will find niche markets. Imagine sites called “Hollywood Leaks”, “iPhone Leaks”, and “Recipe Leaks” (We may finally learn those secret 11 herbs and spices).
2. Video Streaming Battle Heats Up
Netflix reportedly accounts for 20% of all Internet traffic during peak hours. That will continue to increase, and you can bet that there are dozens of Netflix competitors waiting in the shadows. The real battle, however, will be with cable companies, movie studios, and TV networks. The odd thing is that, in the end, Internet video streaming may be the only thing left that can save them. The moment Oprah proclaimed her love for Netflix, it was already over.
3. More Web Apps
We cannot know for sure if Google’s Chrome OS will even make a small dent in Microsoft’s desktop/laptop OS empire. What is certain, however, is that more applications will find homes on websites rather than computer hard drives. Each benefit that this new cloud experience brings will be coupled with a concern for privacy, ownership of data, and long-term viability. Technologically, the apps themselves will be more sophisticated, easier to use, and faster than ever.
4. Easier eBooks
The need for a special app to read ebooks will gradually fade, and the ebook readers or tablets that survive will be ones that can provide unhindered access to the web. Google Books will become easier to use on multiple device types, and companies like Treesaver will revolutionize the way we read print (books, newspapers, and magazines) on the web.
5. More HTML5
HTML5 is still technically in the womb, but we have seen more widespread adoption at a faster rate than anyone could have imagined. With almost every browser including or planning to include support, you can be sure than web developers will jump at the chance to include HTML5 features in their sites. Some sites never adopted XHTML, so do not expect it to be a total conversion, but HTML5 will definitely become more prevalent.
6. Privacy Revolt
Concerns over Facebook privacy are just the beginning. As more apps depend on web storage and more sites insist on integration with social media, concerns over privacy will grow, and the potential for identity theft, invasion of privacy, and yes, leaks, will make headlines. According to dedicated host 34SP.com, even the inventor of the web, Tim Berners-Lee has chimed in on the discussion. Hide your children and lock your doors. The battle over privacy has just begun.
7. Tablets and Mobile Access
Websites are essentially the only truly cross-platform applications that have global reach. With more tablets and mobile phones accessing those sites, you can expect to see more websites catering to the devices. With millions of these devices out there, no one with a web presence wants to deny potential customers access.
8. Social Media Boundaries
Grandparents are now on Facebook. Even 8-year-old kids have social networking accounts. It would be foolish to predict that this trend will slow down in 2011, but something has got to give. If your father is on Twitter and Facebook, you can bet that your boss is too. Expect social media sites to give users more control over privacy and the boundaries they set for well-defined groups of friends. Some status updates aren’t meant for mom to see. Users of these sites will want the ability to customize their spheres of associates, and social media sites will need to accommodate them.
2011 will see new web trends emerge and old ones solidify into standards. Like the teenage obsession with FarmVille in 2010, there are some web novelties we could never foresee, and we will see more of those in 2011. Happy New Year!
