Mobility and ubiquity

Future Technologies & Media (FTM)

Andy Weeger

Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences

June 7, 2024

Revision

Characteristics of emerging technologies

Rotolo, Hicks, and Martin (2015) outlines five attributes that classify emerging technologies and differentiate them from other technologies:

Radical novelty
Relatively fast growth
Coherence
Prominent impact
Uncertainty and ambiguity

Stages of emergence

Pre-emergence, emergence, and post-emergence: attributes and ’stylised’trends. (Rotolo, Hicks, and Martin 2015, 1833)

Interconnectedness

Interconnectedness refers to a formal linkage between two different systems.

Computer networks reflect a collection of computers and devices connected so that they can share information and services. They, thus, are the clue of (interconnected) information systems.

Effects

Emergent digital technologies facilitate more strongly interconnected systems, as they enhance

networking infrastructure, connectivity capabilities, and interoperability (e.g. through standardization).

Examples of interconnected systems are
smart cities, connected cars (Car2X), and smart supply chains.

Distributed systems

A distributed system is a collection of independent computers that appear to its users as a single coherent system.

The independent computers, also known as nodes, communicate and coordinate their actions by passing messages as they do not share a common memory.

Effects

Distributed systems and distributed computing are integral to the advancement of emergent digital technologies as they they provide the necessary infrastructure for e.g.,

scalability and efficiency, fault tolerance and reliability, real-time processing, data privacy and security, and cost-effectiveness.

As digital technologies continue to evolve, the role of distributed systems will only become more critical in enabling innovative applications and services across various industries.

Hypothesis 4

Emerging information technologies enable mobile and ubiquitous systems.

Mobility

Definition

Mobile computing

Using portable devices in wireless-enabled networks to perform computational tasks and access network services on the move (e.g., anyplace, and anytime)

Key components

Mobile computing is not simply a miniaturisation of conventional computer technology. It is a complex ecosystem with several key components as enablers:

Mobile devices, wireless networks, mobile first operating systems, mobile applications, and the related ecosystems (e.g., app stores, edge computing).

Mobile devices: The foundation of mobile computing lies in portable devices like smartphones, tablets, and laptops. These devices boast increasingly powerful processors, improved battery life, and high-resolution displays, enabling them to handle complex tasks and deliver rich multimedia experiences.
Wireless networks: The invisible threads that connect mobile devices to the digital world are wireless communication technologies. Cellular networks, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth provide the critical infrastructure for data transmission, enabling seamless access to information and services.
Operating systems: The operating system acts as the maestro of the mobile computing symphony. Popular options like Android and iOS provide a user-friendly interface, manage hardware resources, and facilitate communication between applications and the device.
Mobile applications: The true stars of the mobile computing show are applications, downloadable from app stores. These applications offer a vast array of functionalities, from communication tools like social media platforms to productivity suites and entertainment options like games and streaming services.

Discussion

What marks the breakthrough of mobile computing?

Miniaturization of computing technology: The miniaturization of transistors and integrated circuits during the mid-20th century laid the foundation for smaller, more portable computing devices. This paved the way for the development of laptops and eventually smartphones.
Cellular network development: The establishment of cellular networks in the 1980s enabled mobile devices to connect and transmit data wirelessly. This provided the critical infrastructure for mobile communication and internet access, a cornerstone of mobile computing.
Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) in the 1990s: PDAs like the Palm Pilot offered basic computing functionalities like calendars, contacts, and note-taking in a portable format. These devices bridged the gap between bulky laptops and mobile phones, paving the way for the widespread adoption of pocket-sized computing.
The rise of touchscreen interfaces and smartphones with advanced operating systems (late 1990s and early 2000s): The introduction of touchscreen interfaces and user-friendly operating systems like iOS and Android on devices like the iPhone and Blackberry revolutionized mobile computing. These advancements made mobile devices more intuitive and accessible, leading to mass adoption.

Effects

As an emerging technology, mobile computing has had a significant impact on multiple levels and undoubtedly transformed our lives.

Increased productivity, improved communication and collaboration, enhanced access to information and entertainment, and new business models and social interactions.

Discussion

How would your life look like without a mobile phone?

Identify the tasks and activities where you heavily rely on mobile computing and imagine what you would do if you would not have access to a smartphone.

Challenges

However, mobile computing also comes with some challenges:

Digital divide, security vulnerabilities, health concerns, and impact on social interactions.

Ubiquity

Definition

Ubiquitous computing integrates computation into the environment, rather than having computers which are distinct objects.

The most profound technologies are those that disappear. They weave themselves into the fabric of everyday life until they are indistinguishable from it. Mark Weiser, American computer scientist and chief technology officer (CTO) at Xerox PARC

Characteristics

Ubiquitous computing (UC), also known as ubicomp, is characterized by several key features that differentiate it from traditional computing:

Invisibility, context-awareness, connectivity, and situated and proactive interaction.

Invisibility: Unlike a bulky desktop computer, ubiquitous computing aims to integrate technology seamlessly into our surroundings. Think smartwatches, voice assistants, or embedded sensors in clothing or furniture. The user interacts with the technology naturally, without being hindered by the physical device itself.
Context-awareness: Ubicomp systems gather data about the user’s environment and situation. This allows for a more personalized and relevant user experience. For example, a fitness tracker might suggest workout routines based on the time of day and your activity level.
Connectivity: Ubiquitous computing thrives on a network of interconnected devices. This network could include smartphones, wearables, sensors, and even appliances. The seamless exchange of data between these devices allows for a more intelligent and responsive environment.
Proactive interaction: The ultimate vision of ubiquitous computing is for systems to not only react to user input but also anticipate their needs. Imagine a system that automatically adjusts lighting or temperature based on your preferences and the time of day.

Evolution

From mainframe
to personal computer
to ubiquitous computing.

Mainframe: one computer shared by many people

Personal computer (PC): one computer, one person

Ubiquitous computing (UC): lots of computers, used by individual users, partly shared

UC vs. virtual reality

Ubiquitous computing is roughly the opposite of virtual reality.

UC systems

Ubiquitous computing systems rely on tiny computing devices which vanish into the environment¹ and adapt dynamically to it.

These tiny computers need to be…

networked, distributed, and transparently accessible,
context-aware to optimize their operation in the respective environment,
capable of acting autonomously, without human intervention, and
able to to manage a variety of dynamic activities through intelligent decision-making.

Example

Exercise

Identify other examples of ubiquitous computing, reflect the characteristics and name the main technological enablers.

Take 10 minutes to to your research and to prepare a short presentation.

Context

Context is any information that can be used to characterize the situation of an entity.

An entity is a person, place, or object that is considered relevant to the interaction between a user and an application, including the user and applications themselves.

Context-aware computing

A system is context-aware if it uses context to provide relevant information and/or services to the user, where relevancy depends on the user’s task.

Following contexts need to be considered:
user context, environmental context, social context, and service context.

User Context

User context refers to the information that describes an individual user and their current situation. This information helps the system tailor its behavior to the user’s needs and preferences. Here are some key aspects of user context:

Identity: Who the user is, their role, and their preferences. For example, a learning platform might recommend different courses based on the user’s educational background and interests.
Location: Knowing the user’s location allows for context-aware services like suggesting nearby restaurants or providing personalized traffic updates for navigation.
Activity: Understanding the user’s current activity, such as working, exercising, or sleeping, enables the system to adapt its behavior. For instance, a fitness tracker might suggest workout routines based on the user’s activity level or a smart assistant might prioritize work-related notifications during office hours.
Time: The time of day can be relevant context. Smart lights might adjust based on the time or a calendar app might remind you of upcoming events.

Environmental context

Environmental context refers to the physical surroundings where the user interacts with the system. Sensors and other data sources can provide information about the environment to create a more responsive experience. Here are some examples of environmental context:

Temperature: Sensors can detect room temperature and adjust a smart thermostat accordingly.
Lighting: Smart lighting systems can adapt brightness and color temperature based on the ambient light levels.
Noise level: A smart speaker might adjust its volume based on the prevailing noise level in the environment.
Proximity to other devices: Ubicomp systems can leverage the presence of other devices to provide context. For example, unlocking your phone might automatically unlock your smart door lock.

Social context

Social context refers to the social environment surrounding the user. This includes the presence of other users and their interactions. While still under development, Ubicomp systems are exploring ways to understand social cues to further personalize the experience. Here are some possibilities for social context:

Presence of other users: A smart meeting room might adjust its settings (lighting, temperature) based on the number of people present.
Social interactions: Smart devices might even be capable of understanding social cues like gestures or facial expressions in the future, potentially adjusting volume or suggesting activities based on the social mood.

Service context

Service context refers to the characteristics and capabilities of the services available in a particular environment. Here’s how service-context works alongside other contexts:

Understanding service capabilities: Service-context focuses on what services are available, their functionalities, and any limitations. For example, a navigation app might consider traffic information and available routes as part of the service-context when suggesting directions. It wouldn’t recommend a route that requires a specific service (like a high-occupancy vehicle lane) if the user’s car isn’t eligible.
Interaction with other contexts: Service-context interacts with other contextual factors like user context and environmental context. A smart assistant might consider the user’s location (user context) and available delivery services (service-context) before suggesting restaurants for food delivery. Similarly, it might adjust its recommendations based on the time of day (user context) and peak service hours (service-context).
Dynamic service selection: Service-context allows Ubicomp systems to dynamically select and utilize the most appropriate service for a given situation. Imagine a scenario where you need to print something. The system might consider available printers (environmental context) and their functionalities (service-context) like color printing or duplex printing. It would then choose the most suitable printer based on your document and the available services.

Exercise

How is context-awareness implemented in your example(s)?

Summary

Emerging information technologies play a critical role in enhancing mobile and ubiquitous systems, particularly

computing power and size,
wireless communication networks,
operating systems and apps,
sensor technologies, and
cloud computing and big data.

Miniaturization and Processing Power: Advancements in transistors and integrated circuits have led to smaller, more powerful processors. This miniaturization paved the way for smartphones, tablets, and other portable devices, forming the foundation for mobile computing.
Wireless Communication Networks: The development of cellular networks, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth technologies enabled mobile devices to connect and transmit data wirelessly. This connectivity is crucial for mobile and ubiquitous systems, allowing devices to access information and services from anywhere.
Operating Systems and Applications: The creation of user-friendly operating systems like Android and iOS and the development of a vast array of mobile applications have made mobile devices more accessible and functional. This fosters widespread adoption and fuels the growth of mobile and ubiquitous systems.
Sensor Technologies: Advancements in sensor technology like accelerometers, gyroscopes, and GPS have enabled new functionalities in mobile devices. These sensors provide context awareness, which is a key characteristic of ubiquitous computing systems.
Cloud Computing and Big Data: The rise of cloud computing provides ubiquitous systems with access to vast amounts of storage and processing power. Big data analytics allow these systems to analyze user data and personalize the experience, further enhancing the capabilities of ubiquitous computing.

Synopsis

Ubiquitous computing weaves together several key technological advancements to create a pervasive and intelligent environment.

Intelligence and affection
AI enables UC environments to analyze data from various contexts (user, environment, social, service), identify patterns, and make intelligent decisions. Enhanced UC systems will also leverage affective computing to understand user moods and adjust their behavior accordingly.
Interconnectedness and distributivity
UC environments rely on a network of interconnected devices and systems. These distributed systems communicate and share data seamlessly, creating an intelligent infrastructure.
Multimodality and immersion
UC environments cater to natural human interaction through various modalities. This reduces the feeling of interacting with a machine and enhances the sense of immersion.

Q&A

Literature

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Footnotes

They vanish into the environment due to miniaturization and new materials, for example