Predictions for the New Year

2011 promises to be an interesting year in the world of the internet. A number of developing trends are nearing their crest, soon to break upon the population as a whole, while mergers and legal proceedings stand to reshape the way in which the internet works.

1. HTML 5.0 will become the de facto language for new websites

The time is right for the change to HTML 5.0. Over the past two years iPhones and iPads have been pushing mobile internet users towards non-Flash animation solution, and with the upcoming release of Internet Explorer 9 the country’s most popular web browser will finally be as HTML compliant as its major competitors.

2. Internet providers will test placing caps on service

In light of the lax ruling on net neutrality passed down by the FCC, Comcast and other service providers will start restricting or increasing the price of high bandwidth in order to drive users back towards cable television for their entertainment needs.

3. There will be a string of media/communications mergers

The FCC ruling will also guarantee that the Comcast/NBC merger will be the first of many corporate marriages between media and communications companies. If these entities do not already own video sharing sites like YouTube or Vimeo, they will start acquiring them.

4. Augmented Reality will go mainstream

In truth, the beginnings of this trend are already in place. Cars are being turned out with augmented reality maps built right into the dashboard. Sportscasters employ digital yellow lines to show the pace line for the course record. But soon everyone will have a slew of options to fuse the digital and physical into a single experience. New developments like LCD contact lenses and sun glasses will help fuel this trend.

5. Installable Ning

Spotting an opportunity in the perpetual outcry over Facebook’s changing data security policies, dark horse social media provider Ning will follow the lead of WordPress and create a version of it’s social media software that customers can install on their own servers.