Erick @ Techcrunch posted an article today cited the predictions on Tech industry for Year 2009 pertaining to emails he received from Wall Street Analysts. Two companies analysts, J.P. Morgan’s Imran Khan, for instance, predicts Yahoo and Microsoft will finally strike a search deal, video advertising on the Web isn’t working, retail bankruptcies could actually help e-commerce companies, and that M&A activity will pick up in the second half of 2009 (but the IPO market will be dead until 2010). Barclays’ Doug Anmuth believed that both Yahoo and eBay will make major strategic moves this year to try to right their businesses, distribution wars in search will break out between Google and Microsoft, and there will be consolidation among the 300-plus ad networks out there. Both believe that performance-based advertising will continue to rise in importance, good luck to Facebook and wish the company can finally turn the entire e-marketing model.
Erick also reveals six of the ‘make believe’ predictions he received and listed below:

Imran Khan’s 2009 Tech Predictions (J.P. Morgan)
1. Potential search deal likely between Yahoo! and Microsoft
2. Net Neutrality should become an important mainstream issue
3. Challenges in monetizing video advertising should persist
4. Mobile usage should continue its strong growth momentum, but mobile advertising will likely be challenging this year
5. Possible bankruptcies in brick-and-mortar retail should create opportunities for eCommerce companies
6. M&A consolidation activities could potentially resume during 2H’09 (IPO market is dead until 2010)

Doug Anmuth’s 2009 Tech Predictions (Barclays Capital)
1. Yahoo and eBay will make major strategic decisions
2. Performance-based advertising will be more important than ever
3. Increased Competition For Search Distribution Via Toolbars, OEM Deals, and Partnerships
4. Proliferation of Smart Phones Will Drive The Mobile Internet
5. Small Strategic Acquisitions Will Re-Emerge
6. Ad Networks To Consolidate

Personally, due to my nature of business background, I am particularly interested in Imran’s prediction on Retail industry. I will share out my opinion on this in later post, but I believe that the traditional Brick-and-mortar retail will still survive, for at least another 2 years, but the retailers need to take immediate action to revisit their operation and profit model. The ‘look alike prediction’ will be there will be many new e-commerce store comes online, which caused the e-retailing industry to continue blossom and enjoy steadily growth for the next 5 years. More technologies will be invented to focus on how to convert visitors from online portal to become consumers. Social commerce will be a big hit also if Apple Apps, Facebook and other social networks implement their online micropayment model. Best wishes for e-Retailing in 2009!