Cazimiro, via Flickr

We heard a lot of interesting insights last night at the WTIA's annual predictions dinner. And while the panelists offered their perspectives on everything from cloud computing to Google's stock price (Looks like Mark Anderson's $275 per share pick may happen sooner rather than later), some of the most interesting tidbits flowed via text message.

As moderator of the event, I asked members of the audience to text me questions for the panel.

Here's a sampling of what I received -- kind of like a collective view into the minds of the tech crowd during these tumultuous times. (I cleaned up spelling a bit since I know how hard it is to type on a mobile.)  Does this thread say anything about where the technology industry is headed?

"What will be the biggest tech disappointment in 2009, in terms of a major tech company promise that is not fulfilled?"

"What effect will Apple's app story have on consumer expectations for Internet design and function?"

"Who will buy Yahoo?"

"What industries will thrive and which will dive in 09?"

"What would a CTO in Washington D.C. actually accomplish?"

"What is the efficacy of a (government) CTO? Look at the National Academies or what happened to the Office of Technology Assessment. Everybody listened and did nothing."

"How many tech exits will there be in 2009?"

"Is broadband as public infrastructure a good federal investment?"

"How about a question regarding the repeal of NAFTA and other trade agreements vs. an open world market with respect to technology?"

How many iPhone/iPod Touch applications will be downloaded from the Apple app store in 2008?

"2008 was all about social networking, web services, and green I. Name one or two huge trends we will see next year?"

"What opportunities does the economic crisis present for technology?"

Where do you see Internet traffic going in 2009?"

"Mobile?

"What about Apple?"

"What about Open Source?"

"What about VMware?"

"Matt (McIlwain) must own a lot of Blackberry?"

"Can we talk a little more about Android? Won't it be disruptive? Why not?"

"If ad spend is down, what will happen to online holiday 08 retail spend?"

"How many people in this room use iPhones and how long would it take them to write this mail?"

"Who (are) the top 5 companies to work for in the greater Seattle area over the next two years?"

"Question about HP's prospects for 2009 and its EDS acquisition."

"Is the enterprise software market dead?"

"Oil prices are significantly down in the past two months. Will this affect the interest in alternative energy opportunities? How sensitive is this emerging market to oil prices?"

"What will kill the iPhone and is it going to happen in 5 years?"

"What is the biggest mistake Apple could make?"

"What are the chances of moving toward standards rather than proprietary systems (in) 2009?"

"What are the security challenges -- network security, government hacking, identity theft, data breaches?"

"What is the NEXT BIG THING in tech? Web 2.0 is getting old?"

"Is cheap oil going to kill green tech and resurrect SUVs?"

[Flickr photo via Cazimiro]