Special reports: Examining public policy, shifting markets
This year's overall trends were defined by two distinctly forward-looking themes: government and new competition.
In a presidential election year marked by such dire issues as military conflict and record deficits, technology ranked surprisingly high on campaign agendas. As a result, CNET News.com, in a groundbreaking series titled "Digital Agenda," sought to go beyond traditional coverage and offer concrete solutions in three areas: offshore outsourcing, broadband networking and homeland security. News.com also monitored the persistent controversies regarding electronic voting throughout the year.
Even without the influence of government, major developments were evident throughout the technology industry, from labs to store shelves. Some of the most visible changes took place in entertainment, where computer companies clashed with consumer electronics leaders in such markets as portable music players, flat-screen television sets and digital video recorders.
These monumental changes are part of a revolution in markets around the world, as evidenced by unexpected developments in South Korea, Japan and other countries. The new dynamics have forced major players to rethink long-held product strategies and business philosophies, ranging from Apple Computer's hold on proprietary technologies to the keiretsu oligarchies of Japanese multinationals.
The effects of increased competition in the global economy can be seen in countless segments within the technology industry and beyond, including hardware (IBM), software (SAP), open source (Novell), media (Disney) and even health care (WebMD). Facing such fundamental challenges, many companies have turned increasingly to new areas in hopes of growth. Among the more promising possibilities are alternative energy, wireless infrastructure, robots and biometrics.
Given these futuristic endeavors, 2005 is already shaping up as an interesting year.
--Mike Yamamoto
Apple's diplomatic core
As the Macintosh celebrates its 20th anniversary, the iPod may define the company's new era, one with an open strategy.January 23, 2004
Disney: A fractured fairy tale
Disney was once considered a technology leader, but it has been a straggler in the digital era.February 11, 2004
Pandora's box for open source
As the demand for open-source tools grows, established companies must figure out how to profit when offering the technology.February 12, 2004
Wireless wedge: Specialized markets lead trend
Wi-Fi usage has been driven largely by "vertical" industries, those that address specific markets, such as education and health care.February 23, 2004
Health care's paper tiger
The health care industry is only halfheartedly following the technology mandates of HIPAA.February 26, 2004
Eroding E-rate
The FCC program has achieved its main objective of wiring schools for access to the Internet, but fraud and waste have run rampant.June 17, 2004
Real's reality
Net pioneer RealNetworks' tussle with Microsoft is just one of a string of hardships it has had to face in its 10 years in business.March 4, 2004
Invasion of the robots
Machines that can perform tasks usually reserved for humans are finally starting to creep into the mainstream.March 10, 2004
Digital ads tune in
Traditional advertisers are trying to use ad-skipping technologies and the like to their interactive advantage.April 29, 2004
Offshoring: The reality behind the politics
CNET News.com examines the offshoring phenomenon and offers steps that could help the U.S. high-tech industry maintain its lead.May 4, 2004
Diagnosing WebMD
The firm has survived the dot-com bust via a steady stream of acquisitions that has given it three principal means of support.May 11, 2004
Bigger Blue: How IBM reinvented itself
After coming close to disaster, IBM is again an industry leader. But how long can its momentum last?June 14, 2004
South Korea's digital dynasty
Nearing financial collapse only a few years ago, the country has battled back and become a major tech force.June 25, 2004
Eyes on enterprise
Talks between SAP and Microsoft underscore the harsh realities in the enterprise software market.July 6, 2004
Energy heats up high tech
As oil prices rise, alternative energy technologies are looking more attractive, especially to venture capitalists.July 12, 2004
Broadband: Breaking the digital gridlock
CNET News.com examines the crucial elements of any policy agenda aimed at building a national broadband network.July 26, 2004
Human chips more than skin deep
Implanting ID tags in people may result in better health care and fraud protection, but are they worth the potential privacy trade-offs?August 23, 2004
Homeland security: The price of safety
As the security boom funnels billions of dollars to antiterror tech makers, problems arise with accountability, coordination and privacy.October 18, 2004
Stamp of reproval for e-voting systems
Electronic voting machines are getting only scant testing and security review. What does that mean for Election Day?October 28, 2004
Japan's sun rises again
The island country's economy is undergoing historic changes, led by technology and other industries, to realize a long-awaited recovery.December 6, 2004