The number one priority in 2012 will be cloud computing. As the need for cloud computing capabilities is expanding along with a growth in the number of data-generating devices, the amount of data is growing exponentially.

The technology for dealing with all the data is not developing as fast. This is particularly true for media data. As a result of this problem the demand for solutions in 2012 is a major development opportunity on several fronts.

1. Integrating cloud services with existing IT resources. By doing so, clients can preserve and capitalize on existing IT investments while avoiding “cloud in a corner” syndrome.

2. Mobile tools for business. For cloud users, demonstrating end-to-end traceability across different tools and the application development lifecycle was a growing need.

3. Cyber security. The development of foolproof tools that will guarantee the ability to generate and use data without security concerns.

4. Social networking. Mobile social networking is the fastest-growing consumer mobile app and cloud storage for increasing amounts of messaging and e-mail traffic, videos, photos, games and commerce will be needed.

5. Cloud storage hardware. The need for faster and more powerful hardware will be a key factor in 2012

The number two priority will be mobile consumer applications that take advantage of cloud computing and various mobile applications.

6. Voice interface with devices. Based on the introduction of Siri and Iris for smartphones, the need for more and better device interaction with voice will be a big need.

7. Location-based services. Location is one of the main enablers that deliver services to users based on their context. Context-aware services are a key trend for mobile apps, and location is a key enabler of that.

8. Mobile search. Visual search is usually related with product search to enable price comparisons or to check product information. To bring mobile search to the next level, apps would allow users to take actions based on results, such as making a call or reservation, buying a ticket, placing an order, etc.

9. Mobile commerce and payment. Today, mobile commerce is more of an extension of e-commerce but in a smaller form factor and a more-streamlined experience. An example is the ability to add items to a shopping cart simply by taking a photo of an item or bar code in the physical store. Payment will be included in high-end phones.

10. Mobile video. Mobile phones with larger screens and media tablets offer the ideal platform for video consumption. Mobile carriers will partner with popular video providers, such as YouTube, so that users can replicate their Internet behavior on their mobile phones. Also telecoms will look to bundle contents either as pre-loaded or as free downloads through app stores.

11. Internet TV. With the need for more visual offerings, the next obvious screen that needs to be connected to the Internet is the TV set. This will allow users to take advantage of using their TV sets for the enjoyment of accessing contents from the Internet.

Jay Elliot is the CEO of Nuvel, a software company in the U.S, and former Apple executive. He is the author of The Steve Jobs Way.