What I like about it:
- The most profound technologies are those that disappear. They weave themselves into the fabric of everyday life until they are indistinguishable from it. This is among the top 10 quotes of all the technical papers and articles I have ever read. I think it serves as the a kind of "Mission Statement" of the UbiComp research community.
- "'Ubiquitous computing' in this context does not mean just computers that can be carried to the beach, jungle or airport." In some sense, iPad makes ZERO progress in terms of UbiComp.
What I am not sure about:
UbiComp Research vs. Engineering & Product
Weiser talks about the technology required for ubiquitous computing: cheap low-power computers that include equally convenient displays, software for ubiquitous applications and a network that ties them all together.
I think that is quite theoretical. When we talk about ubiquitous computing, do we see it as a kind of technology, a research topic, an engineering target or a marketable product? It seems that Weiser is likely to be concerned about the research aspect or regarding it as technology. Producing a product is beyond the scope of engineering which is also beyond the scope of research and technology. Was Weiser confident about UbiComp will become the computer for the 21st century, in all these aspects?
