Pervasive computing has been a buzz-term for the way analysts think computing is heading for ages now. It relates to the predicted proliferation of small computers being used throughout everyday objects and pervasive devices are proving progressively more popular.
During 2002 there were 325 million such devices sold and it has been predicted by IBM that by 2005 1 billion will be sold. According to the IBM think-tank we will all be seeing pervasive computing somewhere in out lives. So far most of us will know about the main failures such as the Internet fridge and the super-expensive smart homes which have been the fantasy of science fiction writers for decades.
The director of the pervasive computing division at IBM has stated that "I judge how successful [pervasive computing] is by how busy I am ... We have been, as an organisation, growing in this area and have had more opportunity than we can deal with over the past year". He cited devices like mobile phones and digital cameras as examples of successes in the area.
An example of a new field in which pervasive computer technology is making inroads is in the new Honda Accord, and ZDNet claim the device in this new car will accept voice commands like "where is the nearest restaurant?", and the car will inform you where it is.
News source: ZDNet
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