Q. What is one tech trend that you will be following in the new year?
The following answers are provided by the Young Entrepreneur Council. Founded by Scott Gerber, the YEC is an invite-only nonprofit organization comprised of the country's most promising young entrepreneurs. The YEC promotes entrepreneurship as a solution to youth unemployment and underemployment and provides its members with access to tools, mentorship, and resources that support each stage of a business's development and growth.
1. Progress on Personalization 
Personalization, in terms of content and e-commerce, has been developing steadily over the past few years. With the lower cost of storing and manipulating big data and increased consumer ease with online tech, we'll see more companies working on how to personalize their tools for individuals. It will make a big difference in better targeting products and services online and on mobile in 2012.
- Doreen Bloch (@DoreenBloch), founder of Poshly Inc.
2. Gamification 
More and more businesses and organizations will be introducing game mechanics to identify beloved fans, grow communities, increase adoption rates and move needles. Keep an eye out across your industry (and others) to see what best practices, incentives and metrics are being used.
- Benjamin Leis (@sweatequitees), founder of Sweat EquiTees
3. Patent Trolls Destroying the Internet 
There is a tremendous rise of litigation for technology patents. The US patent system is outdated and full of loopholes, allowing patent trolls (companies that sue other companies over patents as a business) to hurt entrepreneurs. I'd like to see what legislation gets pushed through next year to protect and encourage innovators from these trolls.
- Eric Bahn (@beatthegmat), founder of Beat The GMAT
4. Visual Curating 
Sites like Pinterest and Tumblr that allow for more visual curating are really taking off. Since blogs, Twitter and Facebook are more text based it makes sense that new sites are rushing to corner the visual market.
- Caitlin McCabe (@caitlinmc), founder of Real Bullets Branding
5. Expanded Social Media 
In 2012, we're going to reach out beyond Facebook and Twitter and start using other social media platforms like StumbleUpon and Tumblr more aggressively. Platforms other than Twitter and Facebook have loyal user bases. Why not interact with potential customers where they're comfortable?
- Windsor Hanger (@windsorhanger), president of Her Campus Media
6. Digital Identity and Reputation Management 
The definition of digital identity is becoming more complex every day. Both individuals and businesses are faced with the challenge of maintaining appropriate content and credentials across the web. Protecting personal and business identities for both security and reputation will be a popular topic in 2012.
- Lucas Sommer (@audimated), founder of Audimated
7. The Co-Creation of Goods 
Leading companies like Zazzle, Nike, Timbuk2, Havaianas and more are focused on bringing custom-designed goods to market. With the improvement in 3D printing, changes in manufacturing and shifting consumer tastes toward unique products, the next year promises a major shift toward mass-customized and co-created goods.
- Aaron Schwartz (@ModifyWatches), founder of Modify Watches
8. Tablets Replacing Laptops 
2011 was a big year for tablets with the release of the iPad 2 and tablets gaining mainstream acceptance after 15 years of failed attempts. Tablets like the iPad are becoming more functional everyday thanks to creative and determined developers. I use my iPad as much as I do my laptop these days and this trend is going to continue into 2012.
- Brad Kendall (@bradjkendall), co-founder of Digihedron
9. Web 3.0: An Expert Upgrade to Web 2.0 
Jason Calacanis defines Web 3.0 as the shift to "wisdom of the crowds" away from the "madness of the mobs" that's dominated social media. In this new iteration of the Web, there is a return to recognizing talent and expertise and an abandonment of the anonymous. Quora is one of the best examples of this, but it's only the tip of things to come as this moves across other communities.
- Tony Navarro (@hoostony), founder of Streamcal
10. Voice Control 
Voice control is not a new concept, but it has been thrust into the spotlight by the popularity of Siri on the iPhone 4S. Siri demonstrated that our devices can now understand commands accurately on the first attempt. Look for more brands to leverage the power of voice control on everyday items, like the TV remote.
- Anthony Saladino (@cabinetkings), co-founder of Kitchen Cabinet Kings
11. Virtual Events 
One of the most cost-effective, low-risk and high-impact ways to gather a tribe. People have less budget for conference costs like travel and attendance. Going virtual is more convenient and affordable all around. As host, you get to build your thought leadership position. You create a bunch of content you can repurpose and monetize. The technology is cheap, easy to configure and very social.
- Michael Margolis (@getstoried), president of Get Storied
