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At the recent Gartner Emerging Trends and Technologies Roadshow in Melbourne, Gartner identified the Top Ten Disruptive Technologies for 2008 to 2012.  This intriguing list is a compelling argument for IT professionals to revisit their plans for future application development.  Gone are the ways of heavy, expensive do it all applications.  By utilizing on-demand software and mashups you can create robust applications in days instead of months.  For organizations that prefer to keep their applications in house, more powerful multicore and hybrid processors powering virtual hardware will allow you to reduce downtime and better utilize resources. 

Gartner’s top 10 disruptive technologies 2008-2012:

Multicore and hybrid processors
      - Advanced processors will decrease the time required for complex calculations.  The catch is that most software applications will need to be re-written to take advantage of the new technology.

Virtualisation and fabric computing
      - Virtual servers like VMware and Parallels are transforming the way that computer hardware is utilized.  By using virtual servers, applications can be moved from computer to computer without downtime.

Social networks and social software
      - Social applications like Facebook and Twitter are transforming the way we work and play.

Cloud computing and cloud/Web platforms
      - Cloud computer is drastically decreasing the cost and time required to implement software solutions.  Companies like salesforce.com and Google with App Engine are leading the way in this exciting industry.

Web mashups
      - Allow you to take the best applications on the web and mashup the best parts to make the ultimate application.  The simplest form involves integrating a mapping solutions like Yahoo Maps and a company website. 

User Interface
      - Apple, Microsoft and others are working hard to revolutionize the user interface with products like the iPhone and Microsoft Surface.

Ubiquitous computing
      - From computers in your car to home automation systems, ubiquitous computing gives you access to all of your data and person preferences from anywhere in your world.

Contextual computing
      - As simple as basing behavior on the time of day or your location, contextual computer will make your computer smart enough to know where you are and what you are likely to need at that time.  Example, 9am on a Sunday morning in Starbucks will likely mean that you will want to look at the news and check your person mail while listing to music. 

Augmented reality
      - This includes virtual sight, virtual touch and other ways to stimulate the senses to replicate real life. 

Semantics
      - The hope that one day your favorite search engine will be able to take your search terms in the form of a question and give you an accurate answer.