Smart Objects/Smart Spaces: From Functional to Social
Leonardo Bonanni introduced our class to the world of ubiquitous computing—a world quickly growing through the development of and progression of computers, mobile devices, mainframes, PCs, and people. There are no limits anymore to where and how we sync up to information around us, especially with the idea that the ubiquitous computer is actually us. There are four kinds of ubiquitous computing: tangible interfaces ambient displays, augmented reality, and wearable items. This style of computing is all about objects holding information, whether it is decorative glass bottles that play music when uncorked, marble answering machines, or gesture speech, being ubiquitous entails being able to reach a larger audience or make a larger amount of information available to you. No piece of info is trivial, it is more about the ability to access and provide it that is important, take Twitter for example. This website was made so people around the globe can send status blurbs about themselves for anyone to see. Ubiquitous computing is looking for ingenious and easy was of staying informed.
One of the really cool projects Bonanni talked about were ambient interfaces. These were little devices that seem trivial but can hold a lot of information. What is so cool about ambient interfaces, and most of the itmes Leo talked about, is that they can take on any form. They literally translate to adult toys, or toys with a function besides entertainment. Imagine having the ambient orb, a message beacon that glows with the fluctuation of the stock market, or how about Nabaztag—a French bunny rabbit that is Internet connected and receives and delivers messages. I saw them as cute alert systems.
After that things started to get real tech crazy in the land of augmented reality. These were computers that added even more information to what you already see. This class of devices is what we often imagine the future to be like. The example I like the most was the idea that a class room could be linked up so that if a professor wore a special pair of glasses the students names would appear above their heads. It’s like living in a video game, but with real world applications; like electronic price tags in markets—so long orange stickers!
It was interesting to see the process of what it takes to develop and even think of what the future is and should be. There truly are no limits. We are looking to personalize the ambiguous, and daunting task, be a rewarding one as well. Leo advised us to become more involved and conscious the changing future. We shouldn’t be content with improving everyday object, but transforming them. Before his presentation, I had never really questioned the function or importance of things I take for grated. He showed us how fast the world is changing; I was surprised that he asked what logos will be five years from now or what the future of buses will be. His encouragement to step out the box was scary, but revolutionary.
