Pervasive Computing

As the computer era began, Thomas Watson Sr. (former CEO of IBM) is quoted as predicting there would be worldwide demand for about 5 computers. He failed to foresee how small and inexpensive computers would become and the many new uses that would be found for them.

Today, computers are all around us. Not only the laptops and desktop systems we all recognize as computers, but also imbedded in devices such as cars, microwave ovens, televisions, etc. I think we are about to see computers become imbedded in nearly everything. An interesting example I ran across today is a computer in an umbrella. It monitors the weather forecast and the handle glows to let you know that rain is expected and you should take the umbrella out with you. http://www.ambientdevices.com/products/umbrella.html

If these products are well designed and easy to use, they will make our lives easier. If they are complicated and unreliable, they will just create more work for us.

I'll be attending the Consumer Electronics Show next week and will report back here on the most interesting things I see there.