India's Top 12 Tech Stories Of 2012

Here are the top 12 Tech Stories Of India in 2012

#12 Microsoft debuts the Surface

Microsoft’s Windows 8 operating system was trending this year but what attracted Indians more is the debut of Microsoft’s first real hardware, the Surface. Eventhough the Windows operated tablet is not yet available in the country, the netizens literally clicked any news ‘surfaced’ on this, maybe it’s the love for a hardware from Microsoft, a company which defined the term ‘computer’ for India.    

#11 Facebook Blows Past A Billion Users

Facebook scored the 11^th position in Indian tech stories for the year. No wonder, according to the recant statistics, India has the second largest Facebook population in the world after United States. The country also tops the list of future growth opportunities for the social network. So how can it be possible for the world’s largest social network to touch the ‘1 billion’ milestone without an Indian thrust.

#10 Cloud computing

Cloud computing, the new face of IT made it to the top 10 tech stories in India. According to a recent study conducted by Vmware and Forrester Consulting, the cloud computing is witnessing a strong growth in the country with 25 percent over last year. Many Indian companies, who were hesitant to adopt cloud, are now planning to deploy it in the coming 18 months. Adding to it, people are also showing more interest on cloud based storage services instead of the traditional data storage systems. 

#9 Apple wins copyright infringement

Apple was always a hot grab for netizens.Eventhough the company had not yet shown much interest in India with its products, it has an amazing fan base in the country. So the Indians were keen to know about what’s happening with the Cupertino tech giant. Thus the historic patent victory of Apple on Samsung became one of the most sought out news in 2012.

#8 Pinterest

Pinterest, the third largest social network and the once hyped Facebook rival, is not catching up to the expectations lately. However Indians, who mostly welcome any social networks, haven’t avoided the pin-board site too. The stories related to Pinterest surfaced to the 8^th spot liked by people.

#7 Google driverless car

Google, the world’s most popular search engine is mesmerizing the world lately with its amazing inventions. The waves of its inventions reach every corner of the world from Silicon Valley. Among those,the driverless car, which was granted a license to run on the streets of Nevadainterested Indians a lot. Google had lobbied to pass the law for the car which according to Google "knew what they were doing” and the first ever license was issued to a Toyota Prius modified with Google's experimental driverless technology.

#6 SOPA Blackout

The SOPA blackout, which led the initiative to kill the Stop Online Privacy Act bill, received a warm reception in India. The tech news became one among the top 10 in India as the internet joined its hands together, including all the major websites like Wikipedia to protest against the law which contradictory to the proponents’ arguments, will limit free speech, invade privacy, and limit creativity.

#5 Crowdfunding comes of age

Crowdfunding- a platform where entrepreneurs raise money from public to fulfill their project, was not a popular term in India a couple of years back. But it gained traction this year and got placed in the top 5 tech stories for the year. Crowdfunding will perfectly fit a country like India As it progress in terms of tech innovations and more and more entrepreneurs being born every day.

#4 Facebook buys Instagram

One of the biggest technology acquisitions of the year, Facebook’s Instagram buyout, interestingly was under the watchful eyes of tech fans in India.   The social network had spent a whopping $1 billion to acquire the company, a process which got applause and criticism at the same time. With the changes in its privacy policies, Instagram recently is in topics with users threatening to abandon the product.

#3 Facebook IPO

Facebook’s historical IPO fiasco suppressed the hunger of tech followers in India for a long time, as it was one of the best tech stories that trended in the country according to Yahoo, for the first phase of 2012. The social network, which set out on a dream journey, had crumbled on its IPO day, inviting criticism from all around the globe and even getting sued by investors.

#2 Google glass

Google Glass, which can be called as the gadget innovation of the year, stole the heart of Indians, along with the rest of world. The news on this wearable computer from the tech giant, which can do un-imaginary things, was a big sensation among the gadget freaks.  According to recent reports, the gadget, which was expected to be delivered in December, will be hitting shelves on first half of next year.

#1 iPhone 5 and the iPad mini

Indians caught on with the world’s trend as Apple’s devices, especially the latest releasediPhone 5 and iPad invoked huge thirst among tech followers in the country. The tech stories related to these topics was the top one for the year 2012. To make things better,  Apple finally has taken initiatives to make its devices available in the country without huge delay.