Ubiquitous computing, also known as pervasive computing or intuitive computing describes a shared vision where the power of computing becomes an integrated, seamless part of our everyday lives – simplifying the things we do each day and bringing new and enhanced experiences – without being tethered to a keyboard or mouse.

I may not be an expert, but I get excited thinking about the possibilities. Digital watermarking images is the first step to this futuristic vision...

We already have printed materials that link you to the digital world, cars that can park themselves, phones that tell you where to go, and refrigerators that monitor your food. Computer chips are getting smaller and smaller and have more and more processing power. With the capabilities built into today’s devices such as mobile phones, GPS navigation systems, automobiles, household appliances, cameras, and many others, I believe something revolutionary is just around the corner. The possibilities are unlimited. Imagine walking by a coffee shop advertisement; you point your phone at the poster and it gives you precise directions, estimates your e.t.a. to the coffee shop, and based on the temperature outside and your historical purchases, ensures your iced vanilla coffee is waiting for you when you arrive.  And, of course, you get all this with a discount because a coupon was delivered to your phone. I decided to write about this topic because I believe digital watermarking can and will play an enabling role in pervasive computing.  Already today, digital watermarks are being embedded into printed materials, specifically images, which can be read by various digital devices, including your camera phone. 

• Learn more about how Digimarc and its partners are linking printed content and certain objects using a range of computing devices to help enrich many everyday experiences
• Read about how Digimarc technology can enable your mobile device to "see, hear and understand" the world around you, enabling new experiences