Ubiqitous computing is the future of IT. Infact, we learned in class that ubiquitous computing is computing anywhere and everywhere. It is also referred to as calm computing, because the main goal is for technology to be invisable in our lives. In an online journal by Marcia Riley, it says that technology ought to be embedded in our environment, rather than having a lap top, or some other actual pda device.
Mark Weiser is said to be the father of ubiquitous computing, he coined the term in the 80's. Wikipedia's page for Weiser lays out the principals he described in one of his talks:
1)the purpose of a computer is to help you do something else.
2)the best computer is a quiet invisable servant.
3)the more you can do by intuition the smarter you are; the computer should extend your unconscious.
4)technology should create calm.
He goes on to describe a reality where computers are tools used to achieve goals, and not the center of any real primary focus.
When this topic first came up in class i immediatly thought of the movie "Gamer". It stars Gerard Butler who plays 'Kable' a convict who is focred to play a deadly game against his will, primarily for public entertainment. It is set in the not too distant future, where ubiqquitous computing is the norm and is used by gamer prodigy 'Simon', the real life rich kid in the movie who pays to control Kable during the missions. Upon conviction, prisoners are given an RFID chip, which allows someone to tap in and control them. Simon plays this deadly game fromt the comfort of his own home, and whats more is he doesnt even have a controller, he just uses speech and movement to control all of his media, gaming, etc
Aside from the highly unethical issue with the improper treatment of inmates, this movie was REALLY cool. It would be totally amazing if, in our lifetime, middle to high class citizens could afford to use systems like these everyday. Nearly everything was wireless, and controlled through sensory movement. When Simon walks into his bedroom the radio system greets him and asks him what he'd like to do. He replies, log into Gamer, and BAM! projected on his wall, is the home page/site entrance for Gamer. It would be sooo cool if you could do that!! Eventually people wont even notice they're using computers anymore. Gamer is all thanks to Mark Weiser.
Other prominent ideas in this area include technology one can wear, thus having the ability to access it at any given moment. Some say in the future computers should be/will one day be worn much like glasses. Mark Weiser, said to be the father of ubiquitous computing said in an article he wrote to be published in CACM July 1993,
Mark Weiser is said to be the father of ubiquitous computing, he coined the term in the 80's. Wikipedia's page for Weiser lays out the principals he described in one of his talks:
1)the purpose of a computer is to help you do something else.
2)the best computer is a quiet invisable servant.
3)the more you can do by intuition the smarter you are; the computer should extend your unconscious.
4)technology should create calm.
He goes on to describe a reality where computers are tools used to achieve goals, and not the center of any real primary focus.
When this topic first came up in class i immediatly thought of the movie "Gamer". It stars Gerard Butler who plays 'Kable' a convict who is focred to play a deadly game against his will, primarily for public entertainment. It is set in the not too distant future, where ubiqquitous computing is the norm and is used by gamer prodigy 'Simon', the real life rich kid in the movie who pays to control Kable during the missions. Upon conviction, prisoners are given an RFID chip, which allows someone to tap in and control them. Simon plays this deadly game fromt the comfort of his own home, and whats more is he doesnt even have a controller, he just uses speech and movement to control all of his media, gaming, etc
Aside from the highly unethical issue with the improper treatment of inmates, this movie was REALLY cool. It would be totally amazing if, in our lifetime, middle to high class citizens could afford to use systems like these everyday. Nearly everything was wireless, and controlled through sensory movement. When Simon walks into his bedroom the radio system greets him and asks him what he'd like to do. He replies, log into Gamer, and BAM! projected on his wall, is the home page/site entrance for Gamer. It would be sooo cool if you could do that!! Eventually people wont even notice they're using computers anymore. Gamer is all thanks to Mark Weiser.
Other prominent ideas in this area include technology one can wear, thus having the ability to access it at any given moment. Some say in the future computers should be/will one day be worn much like glasses. Mark Weiser, said to be the father of ubiquitous computing said in an article he wrote to be published in CACM July 1993,
"the computer today is isolated and isolating from the overall situation, and fails to get out of the way of the work. In other words, rather than being a tool through which we work, and so which disapears from our awareness, the computer too often remains the focus of attention."
Very interesting stuff here. How far IT and personal computers have come in the last decade has been truly amazing. We went from making phone calls on cell phones and surfing the web; to using cell phones, PDA's, gaming devices, etc. to run our every day lives. One might say that we "need" all of these things to function on a daily basis; which probably isn't far from the truth. Technology has now become so embedded into us that we could never go back, and mostly due to the point you mentioned about the best technology being an "invisible" tool to help you complete a task, easier. It's pretty cool to think about where it might go, one day. But I don't think there will be flying cars or "real life" avatars any time soon!
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw the movie Gamer I was very interested in the thought of the possibility of that kind of technology. When Simon is in his room, his walls are like his phone, computer, television(s) and game system all in one system. I am very curious to see how long before this kind of technology make its way into the homes of every day people. The fact that we are already considering new ways to further incorporate technology in our lives is an interesting and distressing thought. I think at some point the line has to be drawn. I feel like we as a society are becoming too dependent on the technology around us.....but what do I know.
ReplyDeleteI think we're not too far from a similar future. Microsoft's XBOX team is soon coming out with "Project Natal" which is hands-free gaming. If you go to http://www.xbox.com/en-us/live/projectnatal/, you'll see what I mean. Not too far off, except for the part of controlling a real person. You always think about the future you imagined as a kid, but I believe that future is now.
ReplyDeleteUbiquitous computing is unavoidable. Even sell proposed ludites like myself have succomb to this. I am not at all opposed to this technology, but it is definitely unavoidable even by those who know nothing about technology. In fact, this computing affects us every day in our daily lives. Think about driving your car, do you think there is a little man in the traffic light or in the hood of your car making things work? No, of course we don't- it is all done through computers that we don't give a second thought to in our everyday lives.
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