Combining wireless and location …
This article has some good links to some of the projects that are working to provide better visualization of wireless networks and their coverage. Some very cool maps …
Visualizing Wireless Networks [Nooface: In Search of the Post-PC Interface]
New OLED displays are coming …
This is more information that the new OLED flexible displays are coming. Eventually, you’ll be able to change your shirt … without changing your shirt!
Wearable Computing In Style [Nooface: In Search of the Post-PC Interface]
More support for DSML and LDAP Directories …
As we started to renew our efforts on digital identity, we quickly embraced the DSML standard as an xML solution for representing directory information. These tools appear to be a very endorsement of the DSML standard and can assist Java developers in writing more and more directory enabled applications.
Open-source DSML tools. Gerv
Markham has released DSML Tools,
a suite of open-source Java
utilities for handling Directory Services Markup
Language (DSML) data. [xmlhack]
Building in the platform of innovation …
With the recent growth in wireless devices, and the decreasing cost and size of GPS solutions, there are whole new markets emerging that will capitalize on this new information platform. A mobile computer or PDA, combined with a GPS, allows for a wide range of applications to be installed and utilized. The big shift comes, however, when this platform is now combined with wireless data communications.
Wireless communications means that a mobile device can now report locations information, and query for location information, on an ongoing basis. This means that a mobile user can now begin to share their location with friends and family, maybe to arrange an impromtu meeting. In addition, a mobile user can have an agent running on their mobile computer that will continuously query various “location servers” for places (and/or people) that would be of interest.
This is a huge area that we are exploring at my company, and I am convinced that Steve is heading in the right direction with his new venture!
Steve Wozniak Unveils Wireless Device Firm. With $6 million in seed money in hand, the Apple co-founder unveils wOz, a new consumer-oriented device venture. [Product News]
Old article with some good points …
This is actually a reference to an older iBM publication (November 1999), however it does contain some good points. There are two areas that I would argue.
First is the issue of special purpose computers for these types of applications. I would argue that this is a “scarcity” conversation, and suggests that general purpose computers and CPUs will not become just as small, lightweight, and powerful as other types of systems. I believe that general purpose computing platforms will continue to decrease in size and power requirements so that they will become the platform of choice for wearable computers.
The second area that I would debate is not that of the content of the applications described, but the platform that they will run on. In the examples given – paramedic and firefighter applications – I can see these as applications running on a general purpose computing platform, and general purpose OS.
With the increasing power of these platforms, and the general applicability of their software, there will be little reason to “minimize” the capabilities of the wearable computer.
Analyzing Application Requirements In Wearable Computer Interfaces [Nooface: In Search of the Post-PC Interface]
Wearable computers and rights of Cyborgs …
This is great … and I have to admit that Steve Mann is pushing the limits of wearable computers! I have recently been following the leading edge research of Steve in the area of rights of people with wearable computer augmentation. Mann has been looking at the various social implications of wearable computers from the perspective of the “cyborg” who begins to integrate them into their life and depend on them. He has explored the potential impacts of removing visual augmentation from someone how has physically adapted to it, along with the issues with potential damage to these devices by electromagnetic forces, radiation, or physical search.
His issues are very legitimate as wearable computers can be seen as extensions of humans much like many medical devices – wheelchairs, etc. In this particular case, Mann even had a heart monitor that was attached in way that its removal left him bleeding.
It now appears that Steve is suing an airline for damages and personal impact suffered when he was detained and searched. The line between biological and technological life is beginning to blur …
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_1897000/1897264.stm
The future of urban art … a very cool new version …
This is one of the coolest ideas that I have seen in art and the urban landscape. Using the office lights in a tall building at night to create a giant animated canvas. People are then able to download an application to create the animations and contribute them to the groups running the project.
I’m almost interested in finding a company here in Salt Lake City that would be interested in doing the same thing!
A German Computer Club’s Eight Story Hack. I originally found this site from a story posted on ABC News. To celebrate their 20th anniversary, the German Chaos Computer Club has turned the top eight stories, eighteen windows per floor, of an East Berlin building into a giant display. The project, called Blinkenlights has downloadable software called Blinkenpaint that allows anyone to create a simple movie that can be played on the giant display. View some of the contributed movies here. My favorites include das Monster and this Internet pop culture retread. If you want to direct dial a German phone number you can even play Pong. See a current web cam image here. [kuro5hin.org]
Peer to peer and community proxies will wipe this out …
If you read this article, you might get the idea that people can track down your geographic location accurately when you are cruising the web. Although this is true for now, it is becoming easier to “mask” your location with simple peer to peer or community proxies.
A proxy is a machine that someone places on the internet which allows you to “relay” your web requests through. Any web site that you then visit will see the requests coming from the proxy, rather than your computer! In the example in the article, if you were to locate a proxy in the UK, you would be able to visit the UK gambling sites since they would see the traffic coming from a UK computer … not yours in the US.
This entire situation gets more and more complex as more people allow for the sharing of computing resources on their laptops and home computers. As the desire for more privacy increases … at least among groups of computer users … I believe that people will begin to install proxies to share for a variety of purposes …
Geolocation will not have a chance against these types of proxies and relays …
More on wearable computers and human integration …
This is a well written article, pointed to by SlashDot, that reviews the state of wearable computers and many of the I/O device possibilities. A good overview …
Continuous connectivity … even in the air …
As I continue to look at the ways that we will be “always connected to the net” I can see that the number of “gaps” in conmnectivity is constantly decreasing at an ever quickening rate. We are now going to have Internet connectivity while flying!
I have recently been leaving my laptop – equipped with an Orinoco/Lucent 802.11b wireless card – on all of the time. As I go from home, to various offices, and to friends houses, I am starting to observe the amount of connectivity that I have. And the “gaps” in my connectivity – the time that I am “off the net” – are getting smaller and smaller. I even noticed lately that it is becoming a “driveway to driveway” experience … I don’t lose my 802.11b access till I am driving on to my street, and I regain access in the parking lot of one of my clients!
With the purchase of my new generation of wearable computers I am looking at the new cellular data services to see how I can cheaply have “low speed” access almost all the time. What’s cool about this project at Boeing is that I’ll now be covered while traveling on the various airlines.
An always connected world is not too far away …
FCC Approves Airline Internet Service. The Federal Communications Commission has approved Boeing’s Connexion service, putting high-speed Internet at the fingertips of flying passengers one step closer to realization. [Product News]