3 Interesting Technology Trends for the Second Half of 2011

Trend 1: Massive Wave of Security Upgrades for Businesses and Home Networks

It is undeniable that over the first six months of 2011, we have seen some of the most vicious attacks on companies by hackers. Recently, we have seen entire websites and networks shut down at major companies like Bank of America, Sony, and the Central Intelligence Agency. In 2007, Gartner.com estimated that revenue in the security software industry would grow at a rate of 10.4% between the years of 2006 to 2011 stating, "Security software revenue will increase from nearly $8.3 billion in 2006 to more than $13.5 billion in 2011." Records show that in 2010 alone, profits in the security software industry blew past the $13.5 billion projection and rose to $16.5 billion. If the trend continues, we will see a record breaking year for the security protection software industry in the second half of 2011. Security companies like Symantec and McAfee will start to offer updated firewall protection programs for consumers later this year. Most companies will turn to services to upgrade their out-of-date systems and assist in training their employees to protect against cyber attacks.

Trend 2: The World Will Get Smaller -- Virtual Desktops Let Anyone Work Anywhere

Larger companies like Microsoft and Google are rapidly gobbling up smaller technology companies. This year, Microsoft purchased Skype and it is anticipated that new Windows phones will be fully integrated with Skype and possibly switch to Skype automatically when making long distance calls. All of these companies combining resources will make for a smaller world as more and more companies begin utilizing virtual desktop infrastructure. In the second half of 2011, I believe more companies will continue upgrading their systems to include the ability to work from home, or anywhere the employee can connect to the internet. Services like GoToMyPC.com have paved the way, now the old mind-set that a butt has to be in a seat at an office needs to take a hike.

Trend 3: Everything In Your House Will Eventually Tweet And Post Facebook Updates

As early as 2008, Wired.com reported that the world's first tweeting toaster was invented. As technology has advanced, there has been an interesting trend in things that could tweet or update status on Facebook. Now you can have tweeting cats, dogs, plants, gardens, and soon virtually everything in your life will be able to connect to the internet in some form. The biggest advancement in this particular area is in television technology. Most television models slated to come out in the second half of 2011 will connect to the internet allowing the user to access data and social services while watching television. Everything will be accessible on the home network as well as social networking sites. Users will be able to rate television shows as they watch them and recommend movies to friends with ease. Along with your toaster being able to tweet when it is toasting, and when the toast is done, a huge trend in the second half of 2011 will be the lowering of the cost of televisions, and the migration of the internet to the living room.

Bonus Trend: The emergence of solar panel systems for the home will become more readily available to average households in the second half of 2011. Google invested $280 million in SolarCity that will make it affordable to add solar panel systems to over 7,000 homes!

Sources:

http://www.gartner.com/DisplayDocument?ref=g_search&id=510567

http://www.telecompaper.com/news/security-software-revenue-grows-12-to-usd-165-bln-in-2010-2

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2008/12/twittering-toas/

http://money.cnn.com/2011/06/14/technology/google_solarcity/index.htm

http://www.solarcity.com/