It is that time of year again with plenty of reviews of last year and predictions for next. Having looked up the predictions made by the financial pundits at the end of 2007, all of whom got it completely wrong, I will not venture down a prediction route. However insofar as the Web is concerned I will pick up a couple of trends from last year that I think will continue to provide interest and look like continuing to grow this year and beyond.
Two things I mentioned in 2008 were social networking and mobile Web. I was rather ambivalent about the first and very much a novice on the second. Funnily enough the two are actually coming together for me. I find myself doing more emailing and Facebooking while on the move and away from the desk top.
I have certainly increased the use of my Facebook especially for friends who you don’t see that often but have a common interest. I do find myself checking up on what friends have been up to – a typical ‘lurker’ – but not necessarily constantly getting in touch. Facebook is a nice app but I don’t use most of the features other than the wall, commenting, messaging and posting some pictures. For my limited use it is perfect.
I did set up a Twitter account but out of 400 odd contacts I only found two people I knew that were using it. It would appear to be in much greater use in the USA than here or maybe it says something about my contacts! I know Facebook was much bigger in the USA for some time before here in the UK so we may see Twitter go the same way.
I still hang on to Linked In but haven’t really found it to be of any significant use. I don’t really know of anyone yet who finds it a valuable business tool. Again perhaps it’s time is yet to come.
On the mobile Web I have taken time to get finally get my ancient Nokia working on Wi-Fi and the O2 Mobile service. I have been using it a lot more and have decided to go with a HTC Touch Pro shortly. The Nokia browser is pretty much hopeless and looking forward to using Safari with all the bells and whistles that come with the Touch Pro.
I do find it especially easy to check emails, news or weather at home without starting up the laptop. I even use the online TV listings instead of hunting for the hard copy of the Radio Times. That is sad!
