This last year has seen a massive shift from desktop applications and services to cloud based alternatives. Services such as Spotify, Hulu and Netflix remove the need for locally stored music, TV shows and movies, and instead provide streamable versions accessible from any computer with an internet connection. These services are already largely used in the US and UK, and will no doubt make their way to our shores some time in the new year. Apple is also possibly looking to move iTunes to a cloud based application a some point in 2010. The biggest news in this area though, is Google's Chrome OS. With their new operating system, Google are aiming to remove the need for any desktop applications what so ever, focusing instead of putting everything online.

Such a mass cultural shift is going to hugely increase the demand on out internet service providers, the same who are expected to filter the internet for 'unwanted' material. Testing has already shown that such filtering will slow our internet by up to 87%. Combined with the increased demand from cloud based applications and streaming, this could result in disastrous effects for Australian businesses, networks and communications in general.