This week in Human-Computer Interaction one of the topics that we've explored is the ubiquitous nature of computers these days. Not only are computers everywhere, but, they come in all shapes, sizes, and forms. I've recently run across a couple of articles that reemphasized this point for me.
Read this to see how computer chips are now in running shoes and your music player.
http://www.apple.com/ipod/nike/
And, in your sunglasses!!
http://www.networkworld.com/supp/2006/summerguide/071706-survival-oakley-rokr.html
Surely not, on your children too!
http://www.rfdesignline.com/news/202601957
And, according to Bill Gates and Microsoft, no longer will the keyboard and mouse be primary devices for communicating with computers. Natural interfaces are the next great wave - think Wii and iPhone. Pretty soon we will be touching, talking, and gesturing to our computing devices.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWJb2UKf9zI
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7174333.stm
So, when you hear the term ubiquitous computing or ubicomp, don't visual your traditional computer. Think about everyday objects with computer chips embedded within them that we talk to, touch, or control with our eye or hand movements. Certainly gives us as UI designers something to think about.
