2006: ever-widening browser scope

I’m escaping from New York today, so updates may be light over the next week, depending on how well the EVDO card works in Las Vegas. Since we’re nearing the end of 2005, I want to get out a few predictions and trends for 2006, so in a year I can determine whether I’m a visionary or a crackpot.

Here’s the first: although they won’t yet grow into the only application we use, our browsers will continue to expand in scope and functionality – both through the growth of web applications accessible through the browser and the development of clever, increasingly social browser addons. Precursors to this include the Performancing blogging extension for Firefox as well as the soon-to-be released (check out the screenshots here) peer-to-peer sharing application AllPeers – which includes a complete BitTorrent client baked right into the extension. Over the next couple of years, we’re going to see a qualitative change in behavior – one which will blur the lines between browser and OS and gradually make application development outside the browser obsolete.

Time to try and grab a cab.