As we begin a new year, hoping it will be usher in global economic recovery, I would like to share what I can find about the collective forecasting in our industry. In my search, I found several predictions about stress testing the financial systems. Hmmm...interesting, but not helpful.

One really cool article on Business Insider showed the predictions of visionaries from 1931 of their view of 80 years in the future. William Ogburn had the best view of our high-tech world:

Technological progress, with its exponential law of increase, holds the key to the future. Labor displacement will proceed even to automatic factories. The magic of remote control will be commonplace. Humanity’s most versatile servant will be the electron tube.

Fascinating! Bravo Mr. Ogburn. Although it wasn't the electron tube, you have the right idea. Wonder what will replace silicon chips in the next 80 years?

Mobile Performance Testing Predictions for 2011

Joshua Bixby, the President of web performance company Strangeloop, puts forth these prognostications in his article entitled 2011 Web performance predictions for the mobile industry:

1. Companies will generate at least 15% of Web sales via their social presence and mobile applications.
2. Android will become the No. 1 mobile platform, surpassing the iPhone in terms of units and usage.
3. Retailers will realize that mobile shoppers have a goal-driven “hunter” mentality.
4. As a result of No. 3, mobile Web performance will become as important as desktop Web performance.