From the EIC: Reflecting on the past year, and looking ahead to 2013
2012 – it’s been quite a year, hasn’t it? It turns out the world didn’t end on December 21 like some people thought the Mayans predicted, but lots of other really exciting stuff happened.
Google finally entered the tablet market by releasing the one-of-a-kind ASUS Nexus 7 tablet with a quad-core Tegra 3 processor at a price that no one thought would be possible: $199. Later in the year, Google made headlines again by introducing us to the Samsung Nexus 10 (in the midst of Hurricane Sandy, I might add), which even beat out the new iPad’s high-resolution display.
Microsoft also made headlines with the release of Windows 8 and, along with it, the Surface tablet. While critical reception to both the new operating system and the new flagship tablet was mixed, most people can at least agree on one thing: with Microsoft’s new focus on touch-friendly UIs and mobile computing, the PC market is definitely headed in new and exciting directions.
Apple, of course, released the iPhone 5, a “new iPad” (that’s really what it’s called), and the iPad mini, finally realizing that people do in fact enjoy more “pocketable” tablets. However, Apple will not be remembered for its technological innovations in 2012, but rather its long, arduous lawsuit with Samsung. While the jury ultimately found Samsung guilty (to the tune of $1 billion), the court of popular opinion has almost unanimously declared itself sick and tired of patent disputes, with multiple calls for patent reform – and for companies to stop bickering and start innovating.
Of course, lots of other things happened: Facebook had an IPO, Megaupload got shut down, massive online protests caused Congress to kill SOPA, RIM continued to disappoint, and Yahoo got a new CEO (who happened to turn into a bit of a feminist role model by balancing her new role at Yahoo with her new responsibilities as a mother). We also shouldn’t neglect to mention Facebook buying Instagram, Amazon releasing the Kindle Fire HD, or Barnes and Noble releasing the Nook HD.
Here at Pocketables, we went through some pretty big changes, too. Back in May, we decided to combine talents from the old Pocketables.net, GoodAndEVO.net, StreakSmart.com, and NothingButTablets.com – all into the brand new (and, we think, very exciting) Pocketables.com! Sure, we’ve had a few growing pains, but we’re very proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish in the second half of 2012. We’ve created a site that not only reports the news and daily happenings in the tech world (like every other tech blog out there), but one that also provides tips, tutorials, and perspectives that you simply can’t find anywhere else.
We know that some of our long-time readers were a little confused by all the changes at first, and Good and EVO readers had a particularly stressful time. Not only were they adjusting to the new site layout, but all these changes at Pocketables happened while EVO 3D owners were waiting for an Ice Cream Sandwich update that was delayed for months, while the new EVO 4G LTE got stuck indefinitely in customs.
I think that those of you who stuck around are glad you did, and I know we’ve gotten some great feedback. Of course, we also welcome all the new people we’ve met along the way, too! We’ve got high hopes for 2013, both in the tech world and here at Pocketables. I’m excited at all the rumors swirling around about new technology in 2013 (flexible displays, laser keyboards, ultra hi-res TVs – oh my!), and I’m even more anxious to see what our editorial team at Pocketables will do with it all. Here’s to a fantastic 2012, and an even better 2013.
Happy New Year!
