[News] Analyst predicts tablet sales to surpass notebooks in 2013

According to the good folks over at Digitimes, the face of mobile computing is going to undertake a radical shift in the next year, with tablet sales predicted to outpace notebook PC sales for the first time ever.  210 million units are estimated to be sold in 2013, which is surely a significant enough number for OEMs to sit up and take notice.  Predictably, Apple's iPad will be the forecast top hardware seller, with Google's Android OS to be the top operating system sold.

As a recent tablet owner, I can speak for its usefulness in certain settings, but can I see it replacing what a laptop can do for me?  No.  Having said that, I think that our lives have been forever changed by things like the iPad and to a lesser extent other tablets like the Nexus 7.  The way we act and behave on a daily basis is almost exclusively focused on mobile computing.  And those devices that aid us in our quest to always be connected.

Sound off in the comments if you have an opinion!

*Source:  BGR

[Rumor] Google looking into becoming wireless carrier *Updated*

According to sources at the Wall Street Journal, Google may be looking to move beyond fiber optics and move directly into the mobile wireless space by becoming a competitor of Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile.  The report indicates that talks of a partnership with Dish Network could result in Google offering wireless services to any and all.  The talks are rumored to be very early, and nothing is committed to for now, but if true, this could prove to be a game changer.

Google is well known for providing low cost, high quality solutions for free or next-to-free pricing, and as a wireless carrier, I can think of nothing but good things to come from the good folks in Mountain View, California.

*UPDATE*  Droid-Life is indicating that they have information from a 3rd party source that these talks are more than preliminary, and that Google is "deep into development" and might be targeting a mid-2013 launch for this service.  The who, what, where, and when of this new "Google Wireless" is still as yet unknown, but as I said before - this could be a game changer for the industry.  Would AT&T or Verizon Wireless see a defection of people leaving for a service that offers reasonably priced smartphones, with a potential for unlimited data/voice plans at below AT&T/Verizon prices?  I for one would leave Verizon in a heartbeat, if not sooner.  Stay tuned for more details as we come across them.

Wireless?

*Source:  BGR, Droid-Life

[News] Apple's Tim Cook named most powerful figure in wireless

According to FierceWireless, Apple's CEO is the most powerful person in the wireless game today.  The website released their list of the Top 25 Most Powerful People in U.S. Wireless 2012, and Cook heads the list.  This probably won't come as a shock to many folks considering the success of products like the iPhone 5 and updated iPad.  Other folks on the list include Larry Page of Google, Lowell McAdam of Verizon Wireless, and Dan Hesse of Sprint.

For the entire list, which is an interesting read, go here.

*Source:  BGR

[News] T-Mobile and MetroPCS merging; will create low cost mobile giant

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Tuesday made official what had been rumored for a few short weeks; T-Mobile and MetroPCS will be joining forces and will become one mobile wireless company, with the name remaining T-Mobile.  The board of Deutsche Telekom, T-Mobile's parent company, as well as the board of MetroPCS both approved the merger, paving the way for the new provider to house approximately 42.5 million combined subscribers.  Its annual sales will be in the neighborhood of 25 billion dollars, which will presumably put the unified company in a better position to invest in growing its fledgling 4G network and put a lower cost alternative to AT&T and Verizon Wireless into more consumers hands.