ENTERPRISE TRENDS

Tablets & Bring Your Own Device: with a number of Android related launches, both from major OEMssuch as Samsung as well as under the radar original design manufacturers (ODMs). Hunting consumer market share, these will target Apple's hegemony in the enterprise tablet market. Expect enterprise-focused mobile device management, data security capabilities and partnerships to be part of this. Expect to see user interface-based approaches to having multiple personas for a single device, to differentiate easily between access permissions on smart device connected to enterprise resources, against use for personal applications. 
(Right: Courtesy:www3.ipass.com)

Ultrabooks: With the 2011 collapse of the net-book market, expect a large number of PC manufacturers to fight back with "ultra-book" form factor devices. Expect these to mimic form and feature specifications of MacBook Air pricing in the $600 to $700 range. However it is not guaranteed that presence of ultra-books will translate into market share by 2012 year-end.

Microsoft: More insight into Windows 8 beyond the 2011 preview and specific information on release dates and form factors are expected, including a hands-on with Samsung's Windows 8 tablet. Anticipated is how Microsoft will enable enterprise to manage and exploit employee-provisioned laptop trend in Windows 8 and other form and deployment scenarios it is considering.

ARM architecture: Clarity needed over which apps will run on ARM and whether "old" Windows apps will still run on the new Windows 8 tablets, a source of some confusion the last few months. In addition to Windows 8, more wanted about applications for its Kinect-based gesture interface in the enterprise, including retail, manufacturing and healthcare, following the release of the Kinect enterprise SDK in 2011.

Dell scaled back: Shrinking its presence at CES,  the word is that Dell will be taking the wraps of a new strategy for the home market. What will the consumer IT angle be here for enterprise?

802.11ac: Not just an enterprise issue, but an important development for all IP networking, Broadcom is rumoured to be be setting up to demo pre-standardisation versions of the updated WiFi standard that will take through-put of wireless local area networking to 1Gbps. Final ratification not expected until year end, but anticipate router devices this year that look to anticipate the final protocol and steal a march on competition.

CONSUMER TRENDS
Tablets:  More Android, Ice Cream Sandwich flavour, as well as Samsung's Windows 8 tablet. Given that OEMs are going to want the enterprise tablet market as well as the consumer market, we expect to see Mobile Device Management capabilities and partnerships packaged in the pitch.

Media tech & connected home: The DECE (left) will be promoting new OEM and retailer partnerships,despite concerns regarding the user experience. Expect to see Ultra Definition TVs demoed as an evolution path beyond HD. Smart TV application platforms and new user interface models for EPG and metadata navigation are also likely to demo as will media sharing over Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) - in the absence of Apple. Google will take up its Google TV and Android STB OEM/ODM deals.

AT&T dominance: The US carrier making news with several major device launches. Not much expected from Verizon Wireless, which launched plenty last year. But expect them to have announcements for Barcelon's MWC, next month.

Mobile DTV: Expect a slew of mobile DTV (based on ATSC-MH standard) including a focus on in-car integration and Metro PCS that it will range handsets with integrated ATSC silicon.These initiatives are loaded with execution risk thanks to the ecosystem/business model/OTT competition / consumer demand/spectrum allocation challenges already documented.

BlackBerry: It’s likely RIM will showcase its BB Tablet OS 2.0 at CES. Unclear if they will launch Playbook 2 or announce it later. The BB 10 will debut at MWC.