MANILA, Philippines – With the mobile industry slowly transforming from an ecosystem filled with portable phones to one made of powerful computers with calling capabilities, there are a number of ways to parse the future of mobile technology.

Forbes has a list up featuring their 10 predictions for where the mobile industry will go in 2013. Among the list, which include proclamations of maintaining the same form factor for the mobile industry and the domination (Samsung, Foxconn) and decline (Microsoft, Research in Motion) of certain companies in the industry, there are some intriguing takeaways.

One intriguing combined prediction from the article is the arrival of more phones and operating systems to create more variety in the industry. While Rappler already mentioned the Ubuntu OS announcement, other contenders like the Tizen, Firefox, and Sailfish OS types may also make a splash, especially if they team up with companies planning to make a new range of phones or companies that want to hire manufacturers to develop something for them.

Another interesting prediction that is connected to the above is the return of HTML5 as a means of making smartphones cheaper, especially those running on Tizen or Firefox OS types.

As Forbes explains, “That could lead to cheaper smartphones, since HTML5 apps can run on these systems with no need for a browser, and they are cheaper for developers to build.”

Finally, one takeaway that ought to bring a smile to the faces of people who love technologies that have declined as a result of the smartphone is the possibility of wireless technology bringing about a resurgence in older tech. Much like the idea of a smartwatch, wireless tech could also give new capabilities to digital cameras, such as in Samsung’s Galaxy Camera, or in other items like fabrics.

The future of mobile depends on where companies choose to go in the coming months. Here’s to hoping we get some intriguing new developments in this new age of mobile. – Rappler.com