Ubicomp and

Libraries:Current examples

and evolving implications

OLA/WLA

Joint Conference

April 17, 2008

Chris Peters

TechSoupMichael Porter

WebJunction, libraryman.com

Ubiquitous Computing

"a model of human-computer interaction in which information processing has been thoroughly integrated into everyday objects

and activities."

Ubiquitous Computing

When computing and information access and interaction happens when

and where we need it.

Enabled by “calm” technology that is everywhere, yet easily modified and controlled by the user so that it is a

natural extension of ourselves.

Ubiquitous Computing

Happens at the scale of:

The Body

The Room

The Building

This slide replaces 62 colorful, image only slides that facilitated discussions around: Moore’s Law – Flash drive size and cost over time as examplesCell phone ubiquityEye-Fi cardRoomba/ScoobaCothing/Technology mergers:

solar, music, biofeedback, input-output technologiesAmbient technologyHomebrew roboticsOpenSource potentialsChumbyInteractive surfacesVOIP library “communicators”Pixel RollerDesign inovationsiPhoneNike/Apple design/input-output convergenceRole of gaming in increasing ubiquityContent access ubiquity

Apple TV, Sat>Go (Direct TV), Slingbox,Mobile device evolution

Platform:Google phoneFOLEDTiny projector tech

BUG gadget platformRFIDLooptDigital fabricationCloud computingData portabilityOpen source (more)

Terminology

• Ubiquitous Computing (Ubicomp)

• Ambient Computing

• Pervasive Computing

• The Internet of Things

Visions of Ubiquitous Computing

• Low cost, low power microprocessors embedded in everyday objects

• The Post-P.C. Environment

• Computers should be invisible and unobtrusive

• Technology should create calm

Visions of Ubiquitous Computing

• Embedded: many networked devices are integrated into the environment

• Context awareness: these devices can recognize you and your situational context

• Personalized: they can be tailored to your needs • Adaptive: they can change in response to you • Anticipatory: they can anticipate your desires

without conscious mediation.

What Trends and Technologies Will Power Ubicomp?

• Basic– Small, low cost processors– Small, low cost antennas– Universal identification (i.e. IPv6)– Interoperability and open standards

• Advanced– Sensors– Storage– New inputs and outputs (gestural, voice, etc.)

Social Networks and Libraries

• Think like a venture capitalist – what could libraries do with all this information in social networks if it were combined with the circulation records in our ILS?

• Anticipatory Reference?

Library as Place

• If content is accessible everywhere and everyone is a content mediator, then controlling access to information becomes less valued.

• But as community becomes more and more important, and real estate becomes more expensive (in the long term), people need a place to meet and collaborate. Library as place becomes more valued.

Space Planning in the 21st Century

• More group study spaces -- Integration between smartboards and laptops and mobile devices

• Emotional Mapping of the library space