Gamer - all thanks to Mark Weiser

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,

"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."

Bill Gates' House

A couple weeks ago in class, we talked about Bill Gates' house. I personally, find that type of technology very interesting. The thing that I find most interesting is the way that whenever you go from room to room, it senses you. And with that, it will change the room temperature to whatever your personal preference is. Also, it will play what type of music you enjoy best, and the lighting that you enjoy. This type of technology is called ubiquitous computing, which means that it follows you where ever you go. To me, learning about this type of computing was very interesting.

Ubiquitous computing can be used in some very interesting ways. One way that I found very interesting was The Coffee Robot. This type of ubiquitous computing made a robot out of Lego's and it monitors the coffee pot, like the last time made, the temperature, etc. This, to me, shows that anything and everything can be made or used with ubiquitous computing.

With ubiquitous computing being used not only to make coffee pot robots, but used in some one's house, I think we are looking at the future. I could just imagine when the rooms in every one's house, no matter how rich, regulate themselves like the one's in Bill Gates'. This is just one example how far human innovation has come. We started off with simple basic computers, that at first, were barely portable, and now, computers are following us around. What a world we live in.

Ubiquitous Computing

I know everyone and their brother has already posted on this subject, but it is very intriguing, so I think it merits another look. It is really exciting to be a part of a time when something like a "smart house" that would only have been a dream 7 or 8 years ago are becoming more and more possible. It would make hosting a party or social event so much easier, for one thing. To have everything change to the tastes of your guests would ease a lot of the burden on the host. No more would one have to ask what channel to watch. A microchip would just take care of it.

Another facet of this concept that intrigues me is that of a cellphone switching to Wi-Fi compatability where there is no cell signal. This would be extremely beneficial to me, in particular. My room at my parents is/was (I've since moved out) in the basement, and there was absolutely no service to be had. However, I had a very strong Wi-Fi signal on my computer. Not having to run upstairs everytime I got a call would be very appealing to me, albeit a little lazy.

All in all, while it is possible to have these smart houses, it is all but impossible for anyone who is not vastly wealthy. We see these being invented, but I think it will be a very long time before we see them as commonplace. Perhaps some restaurants, bars, or stores may start incorporating them before we see them in residences. Any way you slice it, I'm excited to see what the future will bring.

Contextuality

This week in class we talked about Contextuality. The root of this word, context, can be used in so many different ways. I personally think life in context goes hand in hand with life. Not many things are obvious and right in front of your face. You have to have some sort of an understanding of the subject to really understand. If there's something that not comprehensive you can always use CONTEXT clues to get a better understanding of what was said.

As far as technology goes, context is the logic behind ubiquitous computing. Our technology has come so far in just the last decade. Ten years ago we didn't need to know others every move, and we definately werent heart broken when we left our phones at home. It has come to the point now that we have GPS on our phones that pinpoints our exact location, tells us where to go, and gives us detours is necessary. You can even have Twitter pinpoint your exact location now. I think that is cool but somewhat stupid at the same time. It's good to have people be able to find you to hangout, but your location being broadcasted via Internet is not the best idea.

Ubiquitous Computing

We have reached a new age of human-computer interaction. Computers play a role in our everyday lives, whether you are aware of it or not. In simple terms, ubiquitous computing is like the body. The human body has thousands of things it does automatically, such as healing itself. If you have a cut on your finger, the body knows to shed dead cells and create new ones. Another example would be if you were wearing something that has a chip of some sort in it when you walk into a room, and a system of domestic ubiquitous computing environment will connect lighting and room temperature, so when you walk in, the system changes the temperature and lighting to your personal settings.

Mark Weiser is said to be the father of ubiquitous computing. Mr. Weiser was a chief technologist at Xerox PARC (Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated), the place where WYSIWYG, Macintosh interface, Ethernet, and many other things were invented. It's basically the birthplace of personal computing as we know it. Mr. Weiser came up with three forms for ubiquitous computing devices (very well known as smart devices.) The first is Tabs; wearable centimeter sized devices, Pads; hand-held decimeter sized devices, and Boards; meter sized interactive display devices. With these simple forms, they were described as macro sized, consisting of a planar form and incorporate visual displays. If we expand on these forms, we could break it down into three more forms, which could be implemented in the near future.

The earliest ubiquitous system was invented by Natalie Jeremijenko, an artist and engineer. While Mr. Weiser was at Xerox PARC, she installed in the office a 3D, real-time network traffic indicator. It basically measures activity in cyberspace. Plugging into a local area network, it shakes with the amount of traffic on the net. With each data package it convulses and sets up some waves. This is considered a "calm technology."

This is very exciting to me. Computers already have enhanced our lives 100 fold. Imagine when your house responds to you when you walk in, or your car. When you go to the store, you can just grab stuff and walk out, no waiting in the checkout lane. Sure, it seems like science fiction, but it's only reality now.