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While this is the end of one year and the beginning of another, there are a few journalistic rituals that have to happen, no matter where you are or in what genre of writing that you are in. For techies, it is simply the "10 predictions" of what will happen in the New Year concerning technology, hardware, software, or all of the above.

Well, just to break tradition just a bit, I want to not so much make a list of what I think will happen, but in large part will happen, and how it will effect mobile computing. So whether you are using a mobile phone, PDA, laptop, or tablet PC, there are some major things coming down the pipe that will change the way that you use your computer (probably even for the rest of your computing life).

So without further banter, that's only good for ball dropping, let's get to my list of 10 things to look for next year in mobile computing.

1. AJAX will change the way developers look at making web applications.
Now, if you are not a website or application developer, you might not have heard the term AJAX before. But, if you have ever used Google Maps, Amazon's A9.com service, or even Yahoo's Mail Beta, then you have a good idea of what it is. What it means for the mobile landscape is that the move from applications being stored on our PDAs and laptop hard drives is coming to an end for some applications. With AJAX, the ability will be for applications to be fully run from a browser, but there will not be a need to have a large app to load, or even long load times. Look for more of these types of applications, especially in the office products area. And watch how many will quickly add support for mobile devices (if you think Google Mail doing mobile devices was kool, just wait).

2. Asian devices will become more seen in the mainstream USA and EU markets and customers will begin to demand similar functionality from their devices.
If the success of MobiTV on the Treo is any indication (as well as the TV clip services from Verizon Wireless, Cingular, and Sprint), people WILL want to be able to view mobile content on their smartphones and PDAs while on the go and will want it in such a way that they do not have to jump thru hoops to get it on their device. iTunes and the iPod with video have shown already that having good and well marketed content will push device sales. With DMB broadcasting now on South Korean phones, and spreading quickly to the rest of the Asian market, we can look forward to carriers here and in EU pushing the mobile entertainment button to get people to use their devices more and more (paid subscriptions of course).

3. Palm and Dell will pull away from the rest of the field with PDA, smartphone, and service offerings.
In my opinion, the upcoming Palm 700w is a tip of an iceberg in terms of devices that not only are cool (in the minds of more than just mobile folks), but devices that finally get to the point of solving issues that most people need to accomplish with mobile computers. I still think that a device like the Nokia 770 is right about where the PDA market is going, but someone needs to do more than just make an Internet device. It needs to be something that solves an issue that requires always being connected. Indications are that device is in development for someone, and if released next year at a good pricepoint, it would be the next revolution in mobile computing easily.

4. Tablet PCs will push down toward laptops in terms of price, and some will take the place of being marketed as a high feature laptop, not just one with a digitizer pen and swivel screen.
Much like with what has happened in the auto industry with hybrids going from being just fuel efficient transportation to alternative performance vehicles (see the way Toyota markets Lexus hybrids versus Toyota brand ones), the same kind of thing will happen with TabletPCs. We already see with models like the Toshiba M4 that if done right, a tablet can more than be a suitable laptop. Along with processor upgrades, we can look for more efficient tablets to take the place of all but the most powerful laptops today (those usually powered by desktop CPUs).

5. While virus attacks on mobile devices will continue to be rare (yet widely publicized), there will be a marked increase in attacks on mobile devices using malware and Bluetooth.
Unfortunately, whenever a platform reaches a particular penetration point, it becomes a target for virus or other system attacks. While I don't see a major mobile device virus for another year at the most, 2006 will see a ton more than we have this year. Ironically, the same rules for keeping your device safe should apply: don't install software that you didn't install on your device yourself, purchase not pirate; don't open email attachments unless you were expecting to receive one; and turn your Bluetooth PDA to non-discoverable.

6. Mobile Linux will come, but not first from the Access/PalmSource group.
There have been a few rumors floating around that Palm (not PalmSource who was bought by Access) has been working on their own version of Linux for a future offering. It is also assumed by this writer that at least one Linux handset will be released by someone other than Motorola in the markets outside of Asian ones. 2006 will be a peak into the mobile Linux future, but the key there will be making sure that whatever Linux distribution is used, it has some standard components that others will be able to take and use. If Linux remains fragmented in the mobile space, all 2006 will be is a flash in the pan for Linux (a point that I think Access/PalmSource is in position to meet, as long as they stay on time -- mid to late 2006).

7. There will be a major advancement in power technologies (battery life) for laptops; but priced out of the range for most in 2006.
While I am still on the fence concerning fuel cells, hydrogen, water, bio-fuels, and dang near everything else that has been looked at as an alternative fuel for our increasingly powerful laptops. I feel that this year will be the year that the consumer market actually sees a product that will change the field dramatically. It could be fuel cells, and it could be new screen technologies, or even both. But, laptops, and mobile devices in general, are ripe for something to happen. I can say that 2006 should be the year for this to happen.

8. There will be a major disappointment to quite a few companies as a result of the RIM/NTP case.
Not that I really think I know who will be disappointed, I know consumers and users will be. But I think that there will be quite a few larger companies not liking that ruling. And I also think that whatever way the ruling for this case goes, it will have an interesting spin as to how the Microsoft/Visto case will pan out. In both cases, this has meant clearly that 2005 was the year of email. 2006 can make email an even bigger legacy depending on the outcome of the RIM/NTP case.

9. There will be at least one attempt to make a mini-notebook/large PDA device that docks to become a full-fledged computer.
While this is something that I am personally wanting to see and do with my Treo 650 (as much of what I can do I really do on there), 2006 will see this device not only come out to some fanfare, but that device will see some success in vertical and education markets. The key will be making sure that the device hasn't any compromises as compared to a similarly priced laptop or desktop, and that device and informational security are a large part of the platform. But I do think that this device is well overdue, and we should see at least one, possibly two. OQO has started down this path, hopefully they can continue to push this market further.

10. The Technology Guide network sites (Notebook Review, BargainPDA, TabletPC Reviewspot, Digital Camera Review, and SpotStop) will continue to give you solid reviews, purchasing info, and timely editorials, and a few neat extras along the way.
Well, I cannot really say more than that, as that has been what we do here. But we will get better at what we do in order to make sure that you are not just getting a bargain, but getting a solid device that you can take and use, and share the knowledge with someone else.