Taking the Human Factor out of Technology
February 12, 2013
“Computers Are Going To Disappear,” is a thought provoking piece released by Seersuckermag.com. The title itself says it all.
The author argues that it’s all about augmentation, or the enhancement of our borne ability to complete a task. For example, I can eat spaghetti, but a fork will augment my ability to do so without making a terrible mess.
“Augmentation implies that the computer is adding something to our innate capabilities. A part of the interaction, though, has been our investment in the computer. A virtual identity is not an add-on to an offline identity, but an extension of it. As a result, the computer is becoming an integrated part of what we are.”
Simple enough.
The author also give us some pretty good examples of how current technologies are developing in order to make that complete integration possible.
Take the Nest, a smart thermostat that actually learns the users preference after being set to the users favorite temperatures and can self-regulate at a nearly spot on frequency. Because really, who wants to get back out of bed when they forgot to turn up the heat before getting under the covers. Voila! The Nest.
So, how does this same development apply to search? Google Now (go figure) is a great example of “less” computing. it utilizes relevant information and places it at your finger tip. Looking up a sports team and the game is on television? Google Now automatically pops up the score. It’s like a personal assistant that you don’t even have to talk to.
Less interaction, more answers. Sounds divine.
Leslie Radcliff, February 12, 2013
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext
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