2008 Asus Eee PC related Predictions

Following are my predictions, in no particular order of significance or certainty, for the next year -

1. The Asus Eee PC will prove to be the tipping point for Linux to gain mainstream support. However the real effects will probably be felt a year later in 2009.
2. The Asus Eee PC and other similar products (VIA Nanobook, Cloudbook, etc.) will become the largest computer market segment in terms of volume by next year.
3. Linux-based Asus Eee PC models will outsell Windows-based Asus Eee PC models if and when the latter is released.
4. More Linux-based computer models will be introduced, successfully targetting the so-called 2nd billion (users) market.
5. Cellular telcos will bundle the Asus Eee PC/similar products with their 3.5G data plans.
6. The Asus Eee PC market segment, in conjunction with increasing WiFi/3.5G data access availability, will give the blogging industry a big second boost.
7. HTC will release a product to compete in the market segment the Asus Eee PC has created.
8. Google will develop a Linux variant that will fully integrate a lot of Google services and is optimized for installation on the Asus Eee PC/similar products.
9. Mesh networking may become a killer app for the Asus Eee PC/similar products.
10. Microsoft will either re-release Windows XP or come up with a new Windows variant that will require significant less resources. If Microsoft is successful with this, then scratch out prediction no. 3. :)

Well, I guess we will have to wait 366 days to find out whether my predictions will come true or not. In the meantime, here's a Happy New Year to everyone!