Ubiquitous Computing: Future of Man

In class we discussed Ubiquitous Computing (UbC). UbC is the seamless integration of technology into society. Computers and computer software will be everywhere, and accessible by anyone at any time. Computers will be so integrated they won’t be noticed unless they aren’t there.

The weekly reading was “Ubiquitous Computing” by R. Jason Weiss and J. Philip Craiger. Weiss and Craiger argue that UbC will make life easier for both the computer savvy people as well as those who have very little interaction with computers. They say that currently to use computer you must know how to use it, but with UbC the computer will teach you how to use it. I find that this divides society into those who know how and those who don’t. However with as much integration as UbC hopes to achieve, everyone will have to learn to use the technology implemented to be apart of society. This will connect society, at least in using the same technology.

One of the really cool things about UbC, is that it is not too far away. In class we saw a presentation of a technology called the sixth sense. It was a camera, projector, and a top of the line cell phone, connected together to bring the Internet to any where we go. It was amazing to see. The demonstrator was in a grocery store and used the sixth sense to check on the best buy for toilet paper. There is no keyboard and all he needs is a surface for the projector to display on for him access the data, anywhere at anytime. Also mention in the presentation was that the parts for this device cost about $350.00, pricing for almost anyone.

At the beginning of the PC age, we were tethered to our desks. Then the laptop, PDA, and smart phone entered the picture. We could move away from the desk and wander about. With sixth sense and other UbC devices we will be able to have our technology interact with our environment. I like the comic at this site http://www.ubiq.com/hypertext/weiser/VRvsUbi.gif because it shows what UbC can bring into society.

With all of this wonderful technology being used and integrated into society. What will happen if it breaks down? Will there be catastrophic panics throughout the populous? Will we be able to function without the aid of UbC devices? I am really excited to incorporate UbC devices, but I wonder if we become so dependent on it. Will our very identity as a people will become so integrated with technology that we cannot function as a society when it is taken away?