As a technology consumer, my requirements of technology providers are actually pretty modest. Innovate, don't overcharge me, treat me fairly, protect my privacy, and don't construct artificial barriers for the sole purpose of benefiting your business. I'm sure there are more, but those are the basics.

With that as background, here are five things I'm hoping to see in 2010 from the tech industry. This is a personal list, not meant to be comprehensive. Feel free to add your own in the comments.

Full multitasking on the iPhone: I love listening to the official NPR News app on the iPhone. It's probably my favorite app of the year. But unlike other many other phones, the Apple device doesn't allow me to keep the NPR app -- or other third-party apps -- running in the background while checking my email, going on the Internet or using other applications. I know I'm not alone with this complaint. Hopefully 2010 will be the year Apple finally addresses it.

A fully realized consumer cloud: Here's the scenario: I get to the gym, hop on my favorite exercise machine, and rather than being confined to a limited selection of channels on the attached screen, I log in to a cloud-based service and access the shows I've recorded or selected for myself on my cable system (or wherever). Yes, there are mobile devices and services that can approximate this experience, but I'd like it to be deeply embedded in the infrastructure around me. While we're at it, an aside to gym operators: Turn off the stupid music already. Ninety percent of us are listening to our earphones.

WiFi on the bus: Oh, King County Metro, you've teased me with limited wireless access on selected routes and buses. But for the most part the capability has gone away on the routes I ride. Can't we just make free, secure WiFi a standard feature for us common commuters unwilling to pay for mobile broadband or without the ability to ride Microsoft's Connector system?

A la carte cable television: Yes, it's an old complaint, and maybe it's rendered moot by the widespread availability of shows on DVD, download and other forms of online viewing. But come on, Comcast, just give up and let me pick and pay for my dozen favorites channels, whatever they may be, and avoid the ones I don't want. I promise I'll make up the difference buying movies on-demand.

Microsoft Points, R.I.P. I know there must be perfectly valid business for Microsoft's "points" system for making purchases on Xbox Live. But come on, should I really have to learn an alternative currency just to figure out how much I'm actually paying to download a TV show or Xbox Live Arcade game. (On the other hand, thanks for finally making it so I don't have to get off the couch to update my instant Netflix queue on the Xbox 360.)

That's it for now. Reasonable enough?