Photo: Agence France-Presse Justin Sullivanhas been a long year for those waiting BB10 operating system from RIM. The device, which should be launched on 31 January 2013, represents the last hope for the company led by Thorsten Heins to take its place in the world of mobile telephony. A new year, a new smart phone. In 2012, fans of Apple were not tempted by an iPad, or even two, but three, including the most recent in reduced size.
Research in Motion (RIM) has launched its new phones failed to finish the year in style, but missed the boat.
Small steps have also been taken to encourage Canadian consumers to use e-commerce via mobile phone while watching digital video equipment has become commonplace.
The Canadian Press has identified the major tech innovations of the year continue to develop upstream, and those who have failed.
Apple will be great challenges. Manufacturers have been slow to develop a digital tablet which is akin to the Apple iPad, but the gap has narrowed significantly this year with the Asus and Samsung devices.
As was expected, Google has given a blow against the iPad mini fixing the suggested retail price of its small tablet Nexus 7 $ 209. When the iPad was launched mini months later, it seemed expensive at $ 329. Apple will need hardware and software that changes the game for the next iPad, or risk losing a substantial portion of the tablet market to the benefit of the competition, with its products as effective, but cheaper.
Apple faces a similar threat with smart phones. Google Android phones, cheaper, stormed the market for low-end phones, while its luxury models compete with the iPhone. Windows phones have not yet become popular, but have shown promise, and it remains to be seen whether RIM will take its place among the leaders in the mobile industry with its new BB10 operating system.
Apple will also address the controversial Google Maps, which forced the American company to admit that she had made a mistake by abandoning the popular application without having something to offer as well.
Growth of online video . According to a survey published earlier this year, one in four Canadians spent more time watching videos online than on television, 16% of respondents reported spending as much time view content online than watching TV.Canadians have learned that there was a lot of activity on the Internet, whether social networks like Facebook, YouTube videos, and TV episodes or movies offered on websites or on Netflix .
And according to a recent survey commissioned by the federal government, one in three Canadians downloading or viewing videos continuous play (streaming), and 12% reported doing so every day or once a week.
The same survey indicated that 48% of respondents owned a smartphone, and 24% had a tablet on which they could see a movie. But cost remains a barrier to online viewing on cell phones. In return, cafes, fast food chains and airports have begun to offer wireless Internet to capture a TV or YouTube clips to kill time.
The advent of virtual wallet. Regulars have probably noticed Starbucks customers paying for their coffee or drink with their smartphone. It is a popular examples of virtual portfolio, where the purchasing power is housed on the phone. The payment application Starbucks is actually a link to prepaid credits like those on a gift card.
Apple devices are equipped with the latest tool "Passbook", which allows users to store electronic copies of boarding passes for flights, movie tickets and sporting events, travel rewards and coupons.
Buying online mobile via smartphones or tablets, is also expected to grow next year, but the sector is growing rather slowly in Canada. A survey commissioned by Google and released in May suggests that only 20% of Canadians have already made a purchase on a mobile device, and only 16% believed that increasing the number of purchases by phone next year.
A year to forget for RIM. The year 2012 was long for those waiting BB10 operating system manufacturer Research in Motion is expected to be launched on 31 January 2013 and represents the last hope for the Canadian company to resume its place in the world of mobile telephony.
Those who have seen the phone preview indicated that RIM had finally developed a phone that can compete with the iPhone and Android. But some applications fun and easy to use will not convince users to abandon Apple. It is expected that RIM focuses again on the corporate market. In addition, investors have had a roller coaster year with losses early in the year before the stock bouncing in the fall.
