Pushing functionality into even smaller devices
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Pushing Functionality into Even Smaller Devices )In today’s society, people need computers, computers that are not only functional in terms of computation, but functional in our mobile, dynamic, and social lives. As computing becomes more pervasive, people will carry their access devices with them—everywhere, all the time. So, in the design of these access devices, we must understand users’ needs beyond just functionality. Current devices are following two trends: miniaturization and the inclusion of additional functions to a single device. Each of these trends is understandable. Users don’t want to carry large devices, they also don’t want to carry too many devices. But, as more and more functionality gets pushed into smaller and smaller devices, they are getting more difficult to use. Problems include smaller screens, tiny input methods, and multimodal interfaces confined to a single device. Perhaps digital jewelry can address the situation by breaking the device apart and putting the appropriate pieces in the appropriate places. For example, the earphone goes near your ear, the microphone goes near your mouth, the keypad and navigation device goes near your fingers, and the display goes where your eyes are looking. By allowing them to communicate wirelessly with your mobile phone, PDA, and other devices in your environment, digital jewelry is a practical, natural, and personal way to address the needs of pervasive computing. So as the device disappears, what’s left? As soon as you are connected all the time, everywhere, some components of the computer are less essential, and some aspects of the network services are more essential. For example, storage is less essential to carry with you, because storage services can provide you with as much storage as you require. Though you may want to carry personal data, just a single ID will allow you to access the data at any time. Likewise, CPU power may not be critical, because you can farm out your data through the network for processing elsewhere. Some components will remain, however, like a power source (batteries for now, with many more options to follow) and user interface devices. The latter is part of a more general category of sensors, which will continue to become more important as we create network services that can do interesting things with this “sensed” information. Speaking of network services, we know the service offerings must match users’ needs for personalization, and respect their privacy. The way in which information will reach users will not only depend on who they are, but where they are, and what they are doing at the moment. As we observed, there is an aspect of personalization that corresponds with the users’ needs for self-expression and social communication. And as for privacy, this goes beyond protecting your credit card numbers. The fact that they are with you everywhere, all the time, and with sensors to pick up most any aspect of your life, means they must become trusted companions.