Larry Kless' Weblog: Technology

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Monday, January 28, 2013

2013 Online Video Predictions, Trends and the Shape of Things to Come

As we reach the end of the first month of the year, and look back on 2012, the future becomes more clear. In 2012, we saw much of the same activity in the online space as previous years, with more churn and consolidation, more funding and innovation, coupled with the exploding growth of online video consumption. The industry grew another year and took bigger steps to the future.

It's become tradition on this blog to present the annual collection of online video predictions from around the web. This time last year, I offered advice on Why Online Video Platforms (OVPs) Should Give a Puck, and pay attention to the three I’s: immersion, integration and implementation. Several reports in 2012 looked at the top OVPs and Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) in the market and ranked them according to their implementation skills, innovation and market share. In a November 2012 report by ABI Research, Brightcove led Ooyala in implementation and Ooyala narrowly beat Brightcove on innovation, with Kaltura in third. In Frost & Sullivan’s independent analysis on the global OVP market, Brightcove was recognized as the market leader with the 2012 Market Share Leadership Award. Earlier this month, Frost & Sullivan also recognized Limelight as 2012 Global Product Line Strategy Award recipient in the OVP market.

The money flowed in 2012, with Cisco's whopping $5 billion acquisition of software firm NDS, Brightcove's $30 million acquisition of Zencoder along with a 41% increase in earnings, Ooyala's $35 million in Series E funding, LiveU's $27 million round, Kaltura's $25 million round, Visible Measure's $21.5 million, Tubemogul's $20 million in Series C, WeVideo's $19.1 million round, Chill's $8 million in Series A, Conviva's $15 million investment from Time Warner, Spreecast's $7 million in Series A, Keek's $7 million round, DramaFever's $6 million round, Longtail Video's $5 million in Series B, ShareThrough's $5 million in Series B, TVinci's $4.5 million round, and many more. ABI Research estimates that the combined global market revenue of video delivery and management would reach $2.1 billion by the end of 2012, and will grow to over $4 billion by 2017.

Now in 2013, we've gone beyond the Fear and Loathing in Online Video and codec browser wars from a few years ago, and as Jan Ozer recently noted, WebM: It's Forgotten but Not Quite Gone. As we move forward, the industry looks to a new online video standard in H.265 High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC), which was just approved as an ITU standard this past week, although according to Dan Rayburn, HEVC (H.265) Adoption Is At Least Five Years Away For Consumer Content Services. As we move beyond the PC era, with mobile devices and tablets poised to surpass Notebook PC shipments in 2013, voices of reason within the online video industry, like Brightcove's Jeremy Allaire says, the industry needs Bipartisan Solutions to Ending the Religious Wars over Mobile Platforms. Allaire says the future is, "hybrid apps. It's not HTML5 vs. native, it’s actually both HTML5 and native."

Viewing trends are shifting as distribution models change, with YouTube and Facebook dominating the media and entertainment space. According to comScore, "82 million U.S. Internet users watched 38.7 billion online content videos in December, while video ad views totaled 11.3 billion." While the average duration of online content video was 5.4 minutes, long-form content viewing also is growing with Netflix dominating the competition having record earnings 33 million subscribers worldwide (27 million in the U.S.) That's great news for the online video and OTT-video industry, because based on forecasts by Informa Telecoms & Media the global online video market will be worth $37 billion in 2017.

Roku's Anthony Wood says, the future of television is coming faster than you think and that not as futuristic as you'd think, where we'll be able to watch every movie ever made, in any language, day or night. Over the last year, Intel has been working on its own virtual MSO/cable TV service and will soon roll out its set-top and service box city by city. As OTT delivery and subscription models mature we'll start to see more content owners unbundle their offerings. Even HBO is pondering the possibility of a standalone offering which would challenge the status quo. But cord-cutters will have to keep dreaming for now, since cable and satellite operators will block the channel from going direct to consumers since it would cut into their subscription base. Also, stay tuned to what Netflix and Amazon are doing around original programming, which will cause further disruption to content subscription and distribution models.

While online video still remains a fraction of total TV and video revenue, it's growing, and online video advertising will continue to mature as marketers and publishers come to better understand video metrics. According to Frost & Sullivan, online video viewers are watching more video ads, but Ooyala's Bismarck Lepe maintains that the focus has to be about personalizing the viewing experience. he says, Advertising in Videos Could Be Better Targeted and It’s High Time We F**ked With the Magic. Lepe states that, "metrics that provide a more granular understanding of viewer preferences, behavior, device, location and other metrics can dramatically optimize online video advertising efficacy and reach."

As video gets more social, there's also been a lot of talk and jockeying about who will become the next “Instagram for video”, which Sorenson Media's Peter Csathy says, most mobile video “contenders” miss the mark, "because they fail to focus on the fundamental differences between video and still-image content." The real contenders can be identified "by three engaging content types", says Csathy. "Think of them as the three “M’s” that have a real chance to succeed massively at scale: music (a community of interest), meaning (social causes), and moments (private sharing)." With Twitter's release of Vine last week, iPhone users may have just met a new contender to apps like VMIX's video editing app Givit, but Csathy's verdict is that it's not "Instagram for Video" Holy Grail. If 2013 follows the funding trends of 2012, I'm sure we'll see a lot more competition in this space over the next year.

Back in 2009, Cisco predicted that video would be 90% of all consumer Internet traffic and 64% of mobile. Now, a few years later Cisco says online video is going mainstream driven by 70% of U.S. broadband consumers who are watching 100 minutes of professionally produced Internet video every week.

So as we look forward into 2013, at the shape of things to come for online video, one thing is for certain – "content is king" and it always will be.

Online Video Predictions

6 Online Video Trends to Watch in 2013 from Patrick Hurley

2013 Online Video Industry Fortunes: An Introduction - By Joel Unickow: Leading Executives of the Online Video Industry give their prediction for what's to come in 2013

Online Video Advertising and Marketing

Video Predictions 2013 | Tremor Video

2013 Video Predictions by Tremor Video from Tremor Video on Vimeo.

Digital Predictions 2013 from Soap Creative

Tech

Trends, Shifts and Disruptions

Photo credit: Inhabitat Green Designs
Photo credit: Brightcove Blog

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Online Video Consultants Say the Darndest Things

Trying to keep up with latest video workflows, video codecs, algorithms and the variety of delivery methods for multiple screens can be a daunting task for anyone. Even the experts agree that the process and tools for video content creation, management and delivery is constantly changing – and can be a challenge to master, let alone understand. Not only do we have to know about every possible screen size and resolution, device and platform, network bandwidth connections and constantly shifting “standards" to deliver any content, anytime, anywhere and on any device.

Multiscreen delivery, connected device platforms, hybrid IPTV/OTT systems, HTML5 and Flash Player customization controls, mobile app development, multi-upload content ingestion and management, advanced adaptive transcoding, mobile-ready encoding, intelligent device detection, user moderation and permissions setting, contextual social media extensions, intuitive ad server and network integration, extensible APIs, automated deep linking and media asset syndication, viewer engagement and geographic distribution reporting, etc... it's enough to make your head explode!

As the consultant's creed says, "“If you can’t convince them, confuse them!”

This amusing video pokes fun at the technical jargon that online video consultants say that makes your head spin. The video stars web video experts, Jan Ozer and Lisa Larson-Kelley, and is actually a humorous digital short to market a one-day web video workshop, Encoding, Serving, and Player Development for Multiple Screen Delivery that Ozer and Larson-Kelley are teaming up on again, in New York City on April 10, 2012. This Web Video Workshops session is a joint venture between Streaming Learning Center and LearnFromLisa.com. It's presented in two sessions and covers video encoding and video serving and player development and will provide video compressionists, web developers, content producers, and video professionals end-to-end knowledge to achieve the best playback across desktops and devices.

Ozer, author of Video Compression for Flash, Apple Devices and HTML5, will cover encoding for multiple-screen delivery and review the fundamentals of producing H.264 and WebM streams, adaptive streaming and single file and adaptive playback capabilities of Flash and HTML5 on the desktop, and iOS and Android devices, other mobile handsets and tablets and prominent OTT platforms. He'll also detail transmuxing technologies like those provided by the Wowza Media Server and Adobe Flash Media Server.

Larson-Kelley, author of Flash Video for Professionals and the producer of Lynda.com's Publishing Video with the Flash Platform and Up and Running with Flash Media Server 4.5, summarized the workshop on her blog:

"This workshop will provide an overview of the online video landscape today, map out where its going in the future, and provide clear approaches to achieving the best quality playback on the widest array of screens. I’ll give a detailed overview of the current video capabilities of HTML5 and the Flash Platform. We’ll discuss the various devices on the market today and outline their overall classifications and critical specifications. I’ll also outline systematic approaches to reaching targeted classes of devices, with the aim to provide high quality content to the widest audience."

The session is on Tuesday, April 10, 2012 from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM (ET), New York Plaza, NY

More information and tickets available here.

Monday, March 5, 2012

Comparing Online Video Platforms – A Market in Transition

The Online video platform (OVP) market has matured over the last few years distinguishing itself from the free solutions by providing value added features, functionality and control. OVPs have made it easier for customers to buy their hosted video solutions vs. building it themselves. This infographic by Devious Media made the rounds over a month ago, and compares four of the top video management companies in the online video platform category, Brightcove, Kaltura, Ooyala and Longtail Video. While this is a just small sampling of the market and only scratches the surface of each platform's capabilities, it's important to know what to look for when choosing an OVP and what's available from each platform.

Kris Drey, Founder of free online OVP comparison service VidCompare, says we're seeing a market in transition and smart companies are adapting to the changes in the marketplace. Currently, there are 91 companies in the OVP market that he's tracking in his online interactive OVP directory. He says differentiation is key to standing out in the crowded field, and we’re beginning to see new business models arise in small pivots.

An OVP provider is typically a SaaS (software as a service) solution providing end-to-end tools to manage, publish and measure online video content for both on-demand and live delivery. The key components of an OVP include: content management, hosting, encoding, customized video players, analytics, syndication, interactivity and monetization through a variety of 3rd-party online advertising options.

According to a Frost and Sullivan report, World Online Video Platforms Market, six key vendors define the OVP space (and capture over 75 percent of the market), and more than 20 other vendors make more than $1.0 million a year each. The report sees the considerable opportunity for the OVP market which is set to grow 11 percent during 2010-2015 and has the potential to look very different in 3-5 years.

The Brightcove IPO Effect

If you follow the space, you know that the most notable news of late is the Brightcove's recent IPO. Ooyala CEO Jay Fulcher noted the significance of the Brightcove IPO in a blog post on the Ooyala website.

"This IPO is an important milestone in the evolution of online video technology and demonstrates that the category is now maturing," says Fulcher. "Brightcove will be the first of many online media firms to go public in the coming years. There’s tremendous potential for other players to innovate and monetize the online video realm. Accessing the public market is likely critical for Brightcove, and it’s great news for the streaming media universe in general."

So Many Choices, But How to Choose?

The differentiation of video workflows and toolsets are key for OVPs, since the standard features across platforms have become commoditized, with all the choices from current and new OVPs and offerings like Vimeo Pro. Brightcove has expanded its offering with its App Cloud development platform. Ooyala competes directly with Brightcove in the media and entertainment space and is known for its analytics and monetization solutions. Kaltura has a broad educational and open-source platform and offers both a free and hosted solution. Longtail Video is the home of the world-famous JW player and a leader in video management and delivery with Bits on the Run.

vzaar and Wistia are known for their clean user interfaces and affordable platforms for businesses, Twistage and Unicorn Media's extensible workflow management tools work with existing platforms. Sorenson Media has extended its industry-leading encoding software into a CMS for video professionals, RealGravity is focused on video content syndication, DaCast operates a live streaming SaaS platform, Buto.tv targets brands and marketers, Liveclicker has a comprehensive video commerce platform for retailers, Magnify.net is an industry leader in curation solutions, VMIX has both iPhone app and video platform solutions, VPFactory has customized players and affordable plans, KIT digital has a global video platform and has amassed a formidable customer base through its acquisition strategy, and the list goes on and on...

But with all the diverse offerings from the crowded OVP market, Drey says there' hasn't been much change or major points of differentiation among the 91 OVPs in the past 6 to 12 months.

"New OVPs have sprung up like VidCaster, and MediaCore, we saw RealGravity acquired by Scripps Networks and we've witnessed our first OVP IPO" says Drey. "But other than the fact that publishers have plethora of options there really hasn't been any major movement as it relates to technology innovation."

The key to choosing an OVP, says Jan Ozer is to choose wisely because not all OVPs are alike. So most importantly, make sure it supports your business model. Ozer cites VidCompare as a great launching point for starting your search as well as testing the platforms through their free trials. He also just published a new Buyer's Guide: Online Video Platforms on Streamingmedia.com.

For a unbiased and detailed evaluation of the OVPs from the infographic and more, check out Charlie Davis' blog:
• Online Video Platform Test Drive – Brightcove
• OVP Test Drive – Kaltura (SaaS Version)
• Online Video Platform Test Drive – Ooyala Backlot
• OVP Test Drive – Longtail Video: Bits On The Run
• Online Video Platform Test Drive – Limelight Video Platform

Also, check out my pal, Joe B's (@zbutcher) Online Video Provider (OVP) List. He's done a great job tracking and evaluating all the OVPs that have come to market and is curating it on Scoop.it.

To Be an OVP, or Not to Be? That is the Question

While it's easy to categorize all the companies into the same market, some OVPs in the space don't even see themselves as being just a video management company. In an interview with Charlie Davis, Ooyala co-founder and President of Products, Bismarck Lepe said:

"We don’t consider ourselves an OVP. Our video platform, Backlot, is just one of the many products and services we sell. Small to mid-sized companies are fine with a one-size fits all approach to video publishing, monetization and analytics, but the large broadcasters and operators require a lot more flexibility." - Getting to Know Ooyala – My Interview with Bismarck Lepe — A Product Named Charlie

Bill Sewell of Wiredrive, an online media sharing service for business, thinks that OVPs are still not truly mainstream and well understood. Sewell says that the OVP market has similarities to the Digital Asset Management (DAM) market which he spent years in witnessing the same level of confusion.

"Clients have a painful purchase cycle - vendors promise the moon, the integrations become more complex and expensive and the client often ends up with unwieldy solutions they're stuck with for years... just in time to go through the same process again with a new vendor down the road," says Sewell. "If people don't understand the challenges of today's OVPs, how will they move towards the inevitable world of integrated SaaS technologies."

The Growing Opportunity for Online Video Platforms

As the layers of the online video stack begin to flatten as Telcos and CDNs start to get into the OVP business we'll see an even greater transition in the market. Drey points out that we'll see some thinning of the OVP market and the innovative OVPs will focus on convergence in 2012.

"Users of online video will no longer have to sign multiple contracts with different vendors looking for CDN, OVP, AdNet, and monetization solutions."

According to Brightcove, there is a large and growing market opportunity for OVPs and it estimates the total addressable market to be approximately $2.3 billion in 2011, growing to approximately $5.8 billion in 2015. But as Dan Rayburn points out, with Brightcove's revenue of $63 million in 2011, it only captured 2.7% of the market, and that leaves a lot of high stakes opportunity for the rest of the OVP providers.

We'll see though, if the numbers play out.

Disclaimer: VidCompare is a sponsor of this blog

Sunday, January 22, 2012

2012 Predictions from Around the Web, and Why OVPs Should Give a Puck

Each year the predictions on what the new year will bring start to appear on the web as the current year winds down, and by January they're in full swing and just keep on coming. I've been collecting, sharing and curating the predictions for the online video, social media and technology industries the past four years, and now that we're several weeks into 2012, I present another collection of predictions from around the web. Some are bold, some are obvious and most are simply best guesses based on current and emerging trends. Many are saying that there will be a big transformation in TV, more US households will be watching Internet video in the living room, multi-screen experiences will mature, content producers and advertisers will turn up the dial on social video, YouTube may finally become a media company, more brands and retailers will embrace video marketing, video content production will shift from UGC to professional quality, video advertising will move beyond the pre-roll to interactive ads across all screens, HTML5 video will take center stage, and recently at CES YouTube's Robert Kyncl claimed that very soon 90% of Internet traffic will be video and that the web is poised to become the premium channel for entertainment.

As part of VidCompare's third annual Online Video Platforms (OVPs) Predictions piece, 2012 Online Video Predictions – OVPs « Online Video and Video Providers - VidCompare, I shared my thoughts on what OVPs should focus on in 2012. The OVP space has over 100 companies that provide similar services that include: video hosting, encoding, custom players, syndication, analytics, as well as interactivity and monetization through a variety of online advertising options typically 3rd-party ad-servers. Many of the OVPs have differentiated themselves with new products and services like Brightcove's cloud-based application management, Ooyala's integration with Facebook on Social TV and real-time video analytics, Kaltura's open source app exchange, RealGravity with syndication and its content marketplace, Unicorn Media and Twistage on video workflow, DaCast with streaming as a service, and so many other examples within the crowded space.

But as we move into 2012, we're going to need more than just tools to publish video online and measure ROI, because publishers will need to create fully immersive transmedia experiences for viewers across multiple screens. It won't be enough for companies to just provide the standard suite of tools if they want to stay in the game. So I drafted the following advice for OVPs, based on conversations with my good friend @zbutcher who inspired this post.

Why OVPs Should Give a Puck

“A good hockey player plays where the puck is. A great hockey player plays where the puck is going to be.” – Wayne Gretsky

The rapid growth of online video industry is one the biggest stories that continues to write itself. Major developments of the past year shape the future and the tools we use to collect and share information. As our connected lives intersect on the web, living room and mobile, we’re moving away from traditional methods, static pages, formats and styles to fully “immersive HD experiences”.

Rather than reading and clicking, viewers now want to see and experience. The presentation layer is about storytelling and for video to move forward in 2012, the OVP industry should pay attention to the three I’s: immersion, integration and implementation.

Immersion – It’s time to go beyond the frame, box, blog and immerse ourselves in storytelling. People want to personalize it and interact with the stories. Applications that offer seamless HD video experiences across the web, tablets and mobile devices will inspire storytellers to expand their narratives to reach every audience. Second screen and web back channel applications will set the pace for great opportunities, innovation and growth in the coming year.

Integration – While video has seen astounding growth over the last year and is predicted to be over 90% of the Internet traffic in the next few years, it’s still a second class citizen. We still have multiple files, formats, players and countless work arounds to make video work. OVPs need to support immersive experiences through an integrated approach and offer value added, forward thinking services to differentiate themselves.

Implementation – No matter how good your integration is, it’s only as good as your implementation. It comes down to user experience and user interface. Producers and publishers are looking for consistency across all platforms and devices. OVPs need to execute on products and services and keep an eye on where the puck is going to be, not just where it is.

2012 Predictions from Around the Web

Online Video
2012 prediction: The slow death of coax begins — Online Video News
2012: The Year Of The Video View Standard
2012 Trends: Video Leads Online Ad Growth - eMarketer
2012 Video Commerce Predictions
2012 Video Trends | VMakers
2012 Year of the Video | The Online Sage | Online Marketing Indianapolis
12 Things That Won’t Happen In Online Video in 2012 | TechCrunch
12 Online Video Predictions For 2012 | Spidvid's Blog
12 predictions for social TV in 2012
7 Online Video Trends to Watch in 2012
7 Predictions For Online Video In 2012 - SocialTimes.com
Five Predictions For Online Video In 2012 | TechCrunch
4 Predictions for 2012 - TDG Opinions
A Look Ahead to 2012 in Online Video
Expect More Broadcast Quality Original Online Video in 2012 | VideoMind
Mr Video’s Video Predictions for 2012 | askmrvideo.tv

Online Video Predictions For 2012 - The Reel Web #20

Peering Into The Future Of Digital Video In 2012

Predictions 2012 Josh Ellsworth Part 1 | Ted Stahl's Blog

The Online Video Conversation Has Changed

Top 3 Video trends for 2012 - Viral Marketing - BizReport
Trends For 2012: Cord Cutting, Tablets Go Mass Market, Twitter Takes Over
Video Marketing Trends in 2012 - Search Engine Watch (#SEW)
Video Prediction Mashup for 2012
VideoMind’s Top Online Video Trends | VideoMind
"Virtual" Cable Coming on the Web in 2012: Rich Greenfield - Peter Kafka - Media - AllThingsD
Will 2012 be the year of the virtual MSO? Don’t bet on it — Online Video News

Daisy Whitney » Three New Media Predictions for 2012
In many ways, 2011 was the year of the tablet, while social TV and online video partnerships enjoyed a robust twelve months as well. Looking ahead to 2012, keep an eye out for standards in tablet measurement, advanced online video deals in measurement, and an increased use of social TV for Web TV discovery. Those are the 2012 predictions in the final installment of the New Media Minute this year.

HipMojo 22: 2012 Predictions | WatchMojo.com
HipMojo is a raw and unedited weekly show covering timely news in the world of business. In show 22 of HipMojo, CT offers his predictions for 2012 while Ash counters with his anti-predictions, based on his latest Techcrunch article on the subject.

Online Video Industry Forecast 2012: Streaming Media Magazine
This is Streaming Media's collection of sponsored articles appearing in the December 2011/January 2012 issue of Streaming Media magazine.
ChinaCache
Cinsay
Digital One/ClickStream
Concurrent
Digital Rapids
Digitalsmiths
Discover Video
DVEO
Edgecast Networks
EyePartner
Front Porch Digital
Grass Valley
Haivision Network Video
Highwinds
Ignite Technologies
Media Excel
MediaPlatform
Microsoft
Mixmoov
NewTek
PeerApp
PowerStream
Qumu
RealNetworks
RealGravity
Sorenson Media
Soup Digital Innovations
TalkPoint

Video Predictions for 2012: A Year-End Series
Will Richmond - 'I've reached out to a number of media and technology executives to ask for their top 3 video predictions for 2012. I was very open-ended in my outreach: predictions can be big picture or small picture, business model or tech focused, serious or humorous, etc.'
Jim Louderback, CEO, Revision3
YuMe's Jayant Kadambi
AdoTube's Steven Jones
Irdeto's Jan Steenkamp
RAMP's Tom Wilde
HealthiNation's Raj Amin
FreeWheel's Doug Knopper
AEG Digital Media's John Petrocelli
TidalTV's Scott Ferber
Kantar Video's Bill Lederer
thePlatform's Ian Blaine
YouTube's Suzie Reider
Jivox's Diaz Nesamoney
Tremor Video's Team
LiveRail's Mark Trefgarne
AOL's Ran Harnevo
Metacafe's Erick Hachenburg
LongTail Video's Dave Otten
Thought Equity Motion's Kevin Schaff
CineSport's Gregg Winik
Digitalsmiths' Ben Weinberger
Summarizing the 2012 Video Predictions Series

Online Advertising
2012 Online Video Advertising Forecast - Industry Experts' Predictions
2012 online video advertising predictions by Goviral
12 predictions for online video advertising in 2012
5 Key Digital Media and Advertising Trends for 2012 [VIDEO]
3 Online Advertising Trends To Watch In '12
How Online Video Advertising Will Evolve In 2012
Pre-Roll, Mobile Top Video Ad Formats for 2012 - eMarketer
The Big 2012 Prediction Round-Up: Video Ad Trends By Theme | VAN - VideoAdNews.com

Mobile
2012 Predictions, Mobile Edition: Dan Rowinski
2012: Predictions For An Increasingly Mobile World | TechWeekEurope UK
16 predictions for mobile in 2012 — Mobile Technology News
12 prediction for 2012
Twelve Mobile Predictions for 2012
Ten Mobile Social Trends For 2012
Mobile phone predictions for 2012 - The Operating System | ITProPortal.com
Mobile Video Vendors Boost Their Ad Offerings for 2012

Social Media
30 Social Media Predictions for 2012 ‹ Orlando Video Production, Social Media, SEO | GreenHouse Social Media
7 Social Media Predictions for 2012
5 Predictions for Social Media Law in 2012
What’s in Store for Social Video in 2012?
2012 Social Media Marketing Predictions [Charts] | Heidi Cohen
So-Called Predictions For A Social 2012

Social Media & Content Marketing Predictions 2012

View more presentations from Content Marketing Institute

Leading Digital Women Predict 2012 by TrendsSpotting

View more presentations from Taly Weiss

Technology
2012 And Beyond: A Mega, Meta Mashup Of Predictions | Fast Company
2012: Nine business tech predictions | ZDNet
2012 Predictions: Bluechipworld MD Simon Hassell
2012 Predictions: CCS Insight chief of research Ben Wood
2012 predictions: It’s doom & gloom for Amazon, RIM and Zynga | VentureBeat
2012 Predictions: What Will Be Big in Small Biz Tech This Year
2012: Siri Is a Stunner, Amazon Is Amazin' and Security Gets Spendy - Arik Hesseldahl - News - AllThingsD
2012: the year back-end enterprise systems open up to the world
10 tech trends to watch for in 2012 | News | TechRadar
Seven Technology Predictions for 2012
Five predictions for the communications world in 2012 | Technology | guardian.co.uk
Five big things to watch out for in 2012 — Tech News and Analysis
5 trends to watch in 2012
5 Predictions for Online Data in 2012

A tech toy timeline for 2012 (video) | Digital Media - CNET News
Analyst Predicts 'Monster' iPhone 5 Launch in 2012 | PCWorld
Connected Consumer 2012: A year of consolidation and integration — GigaOM Pro
Curation and amplification will become much more sophisticated in 2012 » Nieman Journalism Lab
Experian's digital and marketing predictions for 2012 | The Drum
I Predict: Five 2012 predictions for the coming year in apps - iPhone app article - Dan Kricke | Appolicious ™ iPhone and iPad App Directory
IBM Predict Home Electricity From Your Bike, Mind-Reading Computers - Arik Hesseldahl - News - AllThingsD
Importance of Content Recommendations Predicted in 2012 « The Outbrain Blog
McAfee predicts more high-profile, targeted attacks in 2012 | ZDNet
Marc Andreessen: Predictions for 2012 (and beyond) | Digital Media - CNET News
Mashable’s Digital Predictions for 2012

Next Wave with Gary Vaynerchuk: 2012 predictions - YouTube

Gary V. makes bold predictions for the technology business scene in 2012, including big moves for Twitter and Facebook, bad tidings for BlackBerry and an explosion of what he calls "box mania."

Predicting 2012: Rapid implementation in focus
Predictions for 2012 | Guardian Sustainable Business | The Guardian
Tablets in 2012: what to expect | News | TechRadar
TechRadar's phone and tablet resolutions 2012 | News | TechRadar
Time for some 2012 predictions …
Unisys Releases 2012 Enterprise Technology Predictions - MarketWatch
YouGov releases consumer predictions for 2012 | Econsultancy
Zynga CTO: Four predictions for 2012 | Digital Media - CNET News

The Big List: 226 Marketing Trends, Predictions & Resolutions For 2012

"For the third consecutive year, we’ve collected all the articles we could find related to online marketing tips, trends, predictions and resolutions in 2012. We had 80 links in 2010 and 168 last year. We shattered that collectively this year. Here’s our 2012 Big List: 226 articles covering tips, trends, resolutions and predictions about online marketing in the new year..."

Facebook, Google, Twitter and More: 12 Predictions for 2012 - Forbes
No. 1: Facebook Goes Public, But Won’t Start IPO Landslide
No. 2: Facebook Ad Business Booms–But Not at Google’s Expense
No. 3: Image Ads Finally Find a Home on the Web
No. 4: Data-Driven Advertising Accelerates
No. 5: Web-Native Brand Ad Formats Will Remain MIA
No. 6: Twitter (Almost) Becomes a Real Business
No. 7: Mobile Ads Finally Get Moving
No. 8: Amazon.com Becomes an Online Advertising Player
No. 9: App Overload Sets In
No. 10: Tabzines Debut
No. 11: This Revolution Will Be Televised
No. 12: The Web Startup Bubble Will Start to Deflate

CMO Predictions for 2012 -- Part 1: Dominos, Motorola, Progressive, RadioShack Say it's Mobile, Mobile, Mobile! - Forbes
CMO Predictions for 2012 -- Part 2: Dell, Diageo, Saks, Tory Burch Double Down on Social Media - Forbes
CMO Predictions for 2012 -- Part 3: General Mills, Gogo, L'Oréal, NASCAR, Visa Hail Content as King - Forbes

Lastly, the big question, will the world end in on December 21, 2012?
My prediction is no, it's extremely unlikely.

Disclaimer: VidCompare is sponsor of this blog