The other four tech trends in India this past year:

#1 Technology launch of the year: Windows 8, Microsoft's "re-imagined and re-invented" operating system, brought some life (and interest) back into the PC world. It's touch-enabled, with a smart live-tile-based interface formerly called Metro, making it great for tablets and tablet-laptop "convertibles".

It also brings in a consistent look and feel across Windows Smartphones, desktops and tablets. For the first time, Microsoft introduced a low-priced online upgrade (699 ($12.5) for users of Windows 7, 1,999 ($36) for older versions). Upgrade activity was muted, compared to the frenetic downloads, both free and paid, for Apple's MacOS and IOS upgrades.

#2 Bring Your Own Device or BYOD: The new global enterprise-tech mantra caught India's fancy too, for good reasons. It reduces technology budgets, letting office workers buy their own devices-iPhones, for instance, instead of enforced BlackBerrys. Or iPads and MacBooks, instead of a company-specified brand. Apple was a big gainer, despite its muted presence in the Indian market. On the street, it meant a greater variety of devices visible.

Read also: 10 Tech CEOs Who Could Be Fired Now