My own 10 tech predictions for 2013

1. "BigData" buzz will reach its pinnacle in 2013. Predictive analytics will become part of all applications, small or big. Small biz customer centric app will embrace these technology for their competitive advantages in big way. For IT professionals like us acquiring statistical and predictive modelling skills will be the key.
2. Low power computing will emerge winner. The unprecedented success of tiny Raspberry pi (close to 1 million units sold)  is teaching kids all over the world fundamentals of computer sciences. Everybody should take a bite. I took a bite too. This was my Christmas treat to myself. ARM based computing is already giving powerhouse Intel run for their money. 
3. Free online professional classes (Udacity/Coursera etc..) will go Freemium model. They might start offering a group of related courses as part of certificate programs and might tie up with local community colleges for classroom engagement to make them more effective. In any case, this model is going to get bigger and by 2015 if not now will give big brand schools run for their money. 
4. Mac will become platform of choice for independent software developers. Employees will be encouraged for BYOD (Bring your own device) Mac to work and they will reimburse the employee as well for the device up to certain limit. Some startups already do this.
5. Traditional databases in cloud will not fly. NoSQL databases will be preferred choice for WebScale  database. Some NoSQL databases will be trying to accommodate ACID properties. Others will stick to new meaning of ACID (Associative,  Commutative, Idempotent and Distributive) 
6. Data warehouses will move towards appliances model. More plug-and-play refrigerator like systems will entry into market. These appliances will have easy load of data, analysis and dashboarding built-in.
7. Micro lending platform will make ways into many other territories such as Student loan. Some regulations are already being approved for such loans. 
8. Every organization will use social software to uncover hidden (under water) organization. For example , employees emails and chat discussions will be analyzed by the machine to come up on analytics that can be used to improve collaboration and efficiency.
9. Data Scientists will be one of hottest job. This will prefer PhD in Mathematics/statistics but comp sci professionals with analytic experience will be preferred.
10. Javascript skills both at client and server side will be high in demand. Those with mobile software development experience will have plenty of opportunity both for salaried and freelance jobs.