New hardware and software to look for in 2013

Instead of looking back and reviewing the best and worst of 2012, seeing that the year is almost over, we’re going to take a moment to look to the future and talk about the technology and devices that will be released in 2013. We’ve already discussed many of them here on Uptodown: the launch of Mega, Microsoft Office for iOS and Android, the long-awaited arrival of the BlackBerry 10, the iPad Mini Retina, the new Apple television, and the Surface Pro Tablet from Microsoft.

In the television and monitor arena, it is expected that 4K images (4096 x 2160 resolution) will take the place of FullHD as the leader in regards to image quality. Also, an Internet connection will become a standard feature on any TV. For a while now, there has been talk of a television made by Apple (not to be confused with Apple TV). There are many speculations about its features and release date, and everything seems to point to it coming out towards the end of 2013.

We’ve also talked about Google Glass, which is perhaps the most ambitious project from the company at Mountain View. It is basically an augmented reality device in the form of glasses that, once they hit the market, will introduce a totally revolutionary technology with the hope of becoming a standard, as smartphones have become.

Moving away from the upcoming “science fiction” hardware, and moving on to tablets, it is expected that this coming year will be even more successful than 2012 for tablet devices. Microsoft is planning on releasing three new devices from the Surface family during the next year: a mini version of the RT model, the much expected Surface Pro, and the still mysterious Surface Book. In return, Apple has everyone waiting for whether or not the next generation of the successful iPad Mini will have Retina Display, which would be the next logical step in its product line.

In regards to consoles, both Sony and Microsoft will introduce their new gaming systems. It has been confirmed that many studies are working on the new hardware for the first games of the new generation. On another battlefield is Ouya, the small videogame console that aims to bring the Android catalog to your TV set, and has been a total success thanks to being on Kickstarter. The first few who purchased a preorder are already starting to receive their devices.

In the smartphone arena there are also many new things to look for on the horizon. The BlackBerry 10 is Research in Motion’s last opportunity to compete with Android and iOS. The launch of the new line of smartphones running the BlackBerry 10 operating system is expected on January 30, 2013.

The Samsung Galaxy S III undoubtedly has been one of the most successful Android phones of this year, which is why there are high expectations for an upcoming Samsung Galaxy S IV. From the little that is known, it is expected that the ideas behind the S and Note lines will be joined into one device, which will also include an S-Pen. The latest rumors point to its release being this coming April.

In regards to upcoming important software releases, there is a lot of talk about Mega, Megaupload’s successor, which, if nothing gets in the way, will arrive this January.

Another upcoming release that many are waiting for is that of the quintessential office suite, Microsoft Office, which will come to iOS and Android devices. The company at Redmond has announced that in March of 2013 the corresponding adapted versions of the iconic suite program will be available for mobile phones and tablets.

Much of the newest of new in the world of technology will be introduced at two important events that are soon to come: the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), which will take place in Las Vegas from January 8-11, 2013, and the Mobile World Congress (MWC), which will take place in the city of Barcelona in February. It will be an interesting year.