1. Platform or Perish 
Remember when Steve Yagee went ballistic in 2011 about Google’s failure to understand the advantages of thinking of itself more as a “platform” than a bunch of one-off products? The rant worked. Success seems to now hinge on the idea of a coherent, user-friendly platform that can integrate digital content, social experiences, emergent technologies, and APIs.
Apple (AAPL): The obvious platform leader with integrated experiences between iOS, iTunes, AppleTV, The App Store, iPad, iPhones, iCloud, and Macbooks.
Google (GOOG): Coming on strong with Android, Google Play, ChromeCast, YouTube, Nexus tablets, Nexus phones, Google Drive, and ChromeBooks.
Amazon (AMZN): Yagee was weaned on platform thinking at Amazon … Kindle eBooks, Kindle Fire, Paperwhite, Amazon Instant, Cloud Reader, and Appstore.
Microsoft (MSFT): Hanging on for dear life with Windows 8, XboxOne, Xbox Live, Surface, SkyDrive, and Windows phones.
Sony (SNE): Waking up with PlayStation 4, Playstation Network, Playstation Store, Playstation Vita, Experia phones. A bit of a jumbled mess, but taking strides to improve.
Nintendo (NTDOY): Fading but a dark horse who could be resuscitated by its strong user experience through the integration of its 3DS, 2DS, and Wii U properties.
The big takeaway is you’ve got to get your content flowing through these platforms in 2014.
2. Self-Reverence Reaches New Heights
Selfies, the Quantified Self, Digital Wearables … we love ourselves and no one else. If 2013 was the year mobile finally caught on, 2014 could be the year the individual takes center stage as content experiences continue to become more targeted and personalized for social media consumers who loves themselves more than your brand.
3. Video Gaming Gets Social
With the new PS4 allowing gamers to upload their videos to sites such as Twitch TV, the world of online gaming will start pushing up on Netflix and Hulu in terms of bandwidth demands (well, maybe not in 2014 but, hey, this is a trend piece). Considering the growth of gaming sites, gaming coverage, and the gaming glut on YouTube, it’s a growth channel to watch.
UPDATE: Here’s a report from ReadWrite about the trend.
4. Track Me, Pay Me
Consumers continue to give up privacy for value. But this could be the year that consumers begin to reap (small) financial gains as they turn the tables on social networks with apps that allow them to monetize their own data.
5. Spoon Feed Me Content
So much data, so much content, so little time. Can’t somebody just tell me what to read and share to make me an expert in my field? Try Swayy.
