[chipsy]

I think it is definitely the bubble scenario again, but there are some demographic differences that could change our expectations for the results.

The most important thing to recognize is that entry-level skill requirements for programming will always trend down, not up, as the tooling and UI for common industry tasks becomes incrementally easier. C was easier than assembly, and Java was easier than C, and JS was easier than Java...whatever comes after JS must be easier than JS.

Lowering the costs of entry means that capital markets have a lower impact on the business of tech, as more things will get done without any money changing hands - but the need for customization is likely to increase simultaneously, as niches will become cost-effective targets for new software.

In effect, the tech market will increasingly be folded into the rest of the economy. Or "software eats the world."

[sn0v]

While it may be the bubble scenario all over again, it remains to be seen if a pop will really create the sort of disastrous effects as the dotcom bust, or if a majority of the one hit app-dev studios will get by on the sheer popularity of smartphones and tablets without having to resort to mass layoffs.