This report was sent to customers on February 1, 2011, analyzing technology trend developments in January. Contact us using the form on the right to receive an evaluation copy or for more information on Grizzly Analytics subscriptions.

		Rumors have been spreading about a “Facebook phone” being developed by Facebook. We believe that Facebook itself is not partnering to develop a phone, but that phones will come out from other companies (high-end from HTC and lower-end from INQ) with Facebook integration. More importantly, we expect that social network integration in core phone functions will spread to mid-range and low-range phones. [p. 10]
		Work in mobile Near-Field Communications (NFC) to date has largely centered around payments (e.g., replacing credit cards) and ticketing (e.g., bus fare). The spread of NFC to Android, Nokia and (reportedly) Apple is bringing this to the mainstream. More significantly, we show that these companies are working on other uses of NFC, such as content exchange, connecting to computers, indoor positioning, and accessing information from “smart tags” in stores and other locations. [p. 20]
		We report several developments in the “Internet of Things.” These fit three views of Internet of Things: Cellphones detecting tags on nearby objects, electronic devices communicating with each other, and sensors transmitting data to web servers. We believe that all will continue to spread, with the first (RFID sensors interacting with NFC phones) coming to market within 2011. [p. 33]
		Apple has opposed stylus input since introducing the iPhone in 2007, but patents show their interest in LED or laser stylus input, which could still deliver the benefits of capacitive touchscreens while enabling pen input. [p. 50]
		We note a large number of recent company acquisitions in the area of mobile video, which we believe will continue. [p. 8]

Executive Summary, Speculations and Opportunities	2
Summary of Broader Implications of Trends	5
Mobile-Related Acquisitions	8
Eleven acquisitions in January 2011   Trend in acquisitions in area of mobile video
Social Network Integration in Phone Functions	10
“Facebook phone” rumors and reality   Social network integration in core phone functions   Related products, patents & 3rd-party apps
NFC (near-field communications)	20
Many recent developments in cellphones with NFC   Non-payment applications e.g. content exchange
Internet of Things	33
Approaches of Nokia, Intel, IBM & others
Apple Patents on Touchscreens with Light Pens	50