Pervasive Computing
Introduction:
Pervasive computing is the trend towards increasingly ubiquitous (another name for the movement is ubiquitous computing), connected computing devices in the environment, a trend being brought about by a convergence of advanced electronic - and particularly, wireless - technologies and the Internet. Pervasive computing devices are not personal computers as we tend to think of them, but very tiny - even invisible - devices, either mobile or embedded in almost any type of object imaginable, including cars, tools, appliances, clothing and various consumer goods - all communicating through increasingly interconnected networks. In 1991, Mark Weiser introduced the idea of ubiquitous computing: a world in which computers and associated technologies become invisible, and thus indistinguishable from everyday life. This invisible computing is accomplished by means of "embodied virtuality," the process of drawing computers into the physical world. Weiser proposed that computing and communication facilities would follow the evolutionary path of the electric motor.
Characteristics:
In 2001, Mahadev Satyanarayanan presented aspects of a pervasive computing environment in which instances of Weiser’s ubiquitous computing world could now be explored, given the maturity of computing/communication technologies such as wireless LANs, portable and wearable computers, and sophisticated, embeddable sensors. He also identified several key research areas in pervasive computing: smart spaces, invisibility, localized scalability, and uneven conditioning. Briefly described, a smart space is a well-defined area, open or enclosed, that incorporates a collection of embedded systems (computers, sensors, user interfaces, and infrastructure of services). Invisibility is the intent that users not be unnecessarily distracted by their interaction with pervasive computing technologies. Localized scalability deals with the effective management of information exchange between users and their surroundings—considerations include bandwidth and energy usage, as well as control of user distraction. Finally, uneven conditioning refers to the current lack of consistent technologies and services throughout a user’s environment; for example, wireless connectivity may be present in one building but not in another.
A number of companies and higher education institutions have begun extensive research projects aimed at investigating the requirements and implementation of pervasive computing environments. These research activities have identified the following characteristics of a pervasive computing environment: Minimal user distraction, Collaborative interaction, User mobility, Context awareness (user/time/location), Resource and location discovery, Ambient information, calm technology, Event notification, Adaptive interfaces ,Invisibility—everyday object augmentation , Anytime/anywhere.
Given the above characteristics, the possible positive effects that pervasive computing may have on productivity within our lives (at school, work, and home) could be significant:
... newest way to connect to others without needing human interaction. It’s impossible to know when technology will become "too" invasive and society "too" hollow, but by the time anyone looks hard enough, nothing but empty, soul-devoid, trademarked windows will blink in return.
Leber, J 2012. Questions for Mobile Computing | MIT Technology Review. [online] MIT Technology Review. Available at: [Accessed 22 May. 2014].
People are in touch with each other with a click of a button, or the touch of a screen. Yet, these instant messages and lightning fast communications are starting to become the norm. No longer is it merely a luxury to have a smart phone, now it’s the standard; especially if 64% of American adults now possess a smart phone (Smith). Trying to live life without the ways of on-the-spot connection, people find it
Thanks to a society that's approaching the utopia (or dystopia) of ubiquitous computing, people can be connected 24/7/365. Ask an average teenager what their digital arsenal consis...
The international market in PDAs (Personal Digital Assistant) is increasing every year. In the past, PDA’s were only expected to do simple tasks, like creating a schedule, alarm clock, calculations and other smaller tasks, which were seen as essential for businessmen. However today, the consumer range of PDA did increase immense. University students, teachers, small business owner, taxi driver and other type of occupations do require the need of an organizer in their life. With the advance of the technology, the PDA’s were getting extra tasks to be able to answer their users requirements, like wireless internet connection, infra-red, Bluetooth, a coloured screen, and even games. We, as Toshiba, one of the major Computer manufacturer in the world, decided to enter this market, to profit from its growing capacity.
In our current society, people have become increasingly dependent on technology and computers to perform daily activities. Presently, every aspect of life is influenced by the emergence of computers and technology. Computers nowadays are used in mobile business operations, socialization, advertising, gaming, and many other tasks. Many people depend on computers and technology to succeed in life. Due to the extensive use of computers, a question is posed, are people in the modern society, becoming overly reliant on computers?
Even as I sit here typing this paper, my own shiny, rectangular piece of molded plastic and metal lies inches away from my fingertips, beckoning me to use it. Looking out the window, one of the first sights I see are people walking with one hand up to their ear, evidence this technology is in use. I can count on one hand the number of adults I know who do not own one these mobile devices. People are now able to be virtually accessible almost anywhere at any time.
The world exists where people no longer wear just clothes, but a person wears a watch or a shirt that is always functioning and require a minimum of the wearer’s attention. Laptops are no longer need because with wearable computer on him why needs of a lab top. MIThril’s vision of this project is to provide our gifted society with a better way to computing. Laptops are the thing of the past; wearable computer is the step to the future.
Yesterday, I read in the newspaper that technology is making us measurably less productive and laziest. According to a McGill study, 70% of teens that reported going online everyday, we’re facing trouble concentrating while they were doing homework because they were consulting social networks each 10 minutes. This situation is totally unacceptable! Technology sure can transform us.
Abstract—Mobile and Pervasive computing comes with idea that it is going to be part of life as if it does not exist and work invisible. It has many benefits but it has some doubts and risk factors involved in it which include Human social factor, privacy factor and risk on overall health. Mobile and Pervasive computing has added ease to all the mentioned factors but also has put risks and hazards to these factors. In this paper some of the major risk related to these factors has been discussed and at the end of the paper a conclusion is derived
The opinions of many people vary on technology and the effects it has on today’s society. Some say that it’s more beneficial than anything, others completely disagree, and some have mixed emotions. Would you rather read out of a book, or play online learning games with a possible risk of eye problems? It’s about taking matters into your own hands. 71% of people believe technology has improved their lives. 76% of people completely disagree by saying that technology creates a lazy society and that is distracting and corrupting. Daily life with technology is also another huge issue in society. According to a survey taken in January 2013, people feel their work productivity has dropped 8% in the last year. They also felt that their relationships with their family at home dropped 4% in the past year. The opinions vary, but they are needed to show how technology is affecting different people.
Over the years there have been manifold transformations in the area of information and technology and with these the importance of such technological innovations has also increased. In the contemporary society technology has become an irreplaceable part of our lives and hence, whether we would like to admit it or not we have become dependent on it for most of our life tasks. There have been many technological innovations over the years which can be traced back to the invention of the telephones in the Victorian Era to the advent of internet around the time of the World Wars and to its contemporary avatar. All these advances in technology especially the invention of internet has caused people to become dependent on it for something as simple as shopping for groceries to booking holidays and undertaking huge financial transactions. This increased dependence on technology has lead us to interact with our computers and laptops more than people around us.
In job settings, distractions caused by cell phones and internet surfing have a negative impact on overall productivity Employees fail to provide quality customer service and are unable to complete their daily assignments (Laroya). This has a negative impact on the overall economy. This lack of productivity has forced businesses to change the way that they operate. People are being replaced with machines because of their lackadaisical approach to personal interaction and communications (Nilles). The end result of this decreased productivity presents a negative impact on our overall economy.
Technology has make our life more productive in many different ways. One of the greatest invention is Apple’s products. It leads an evolution of tablet devices. IPad or IPhone can act as a textbook, laptop, navigation, camera, notebook, gaming devices and more. It combines all the other devices into one which allows to manage our time effectively. “This is not a simple proposition, since our devices have become more closely coupled to our sense of our bodies and increasingly feel like extension of our minds” said Sherry Turkle. They are becoming part of ourselves. Perhaps some people are saying technology causes laziness because we are relying more on a devices instead of doing stuff by our self, but technology are intended to make our lives easier. We are still doing the same thing but in a more effectively way. Human race are moving on, we cannot stay in an era where people are still using paper map to find out the way, sending letter through the post office. If there is a natural selection in Human Evolution, there is also can be a natural selection in human’s behaviors, inefficient behaviors are being eliminating.
Kukreja, A. (n.d.). Mobile Application Trends and the Impact on Mobile Platforms. Retrieved February 25, 2014, from http://www.eeherald.com/section/design-guide/mobile_platform_trends.html