Ubiquitous Computing

Rainie & Wellman (2012) comment that ubiquitous computing is also called "'the internet of things' (or 'everywhere'), [and] describes human-computer interaction that oes beyond personal computing to an environment of jobjects processing information and networking with each other and humans" (p. 279). Through systems where machines can discern environmental information, people may engage with computers without even realizing it (p. 279).

According to Lyon (2009), Ubiquitous computing has also been called ubicomp, calm technology, ambient intelligence (AmIEurope), and ubiquitous networking (Japan). It means that "computers are built into everyday survaces of ordinary rooms in buildings" (p. 103). It is thought to be a third wave in computing. Wave one is shared mainframes, and wave two is personal computing.

References:

Lyon, D. (2009). Identifying citizens: ID cards as surveillance. Malden: Polity.

Rainie, H. & Wellman, B. (2012). Networked: The New Social Operating System. Cambridge: MIT.