Technology Report
In today's report , we look at a new technology called pervasive computer
Pervasive computing means putting tiny computers into everyday electronic appliances ,
such as toaster and microwave .
With pervasive
computing , appliances can communicate with their
user-----and with other appliances!
Some companies now sell pervasive
computing products like a "smart" toaster . It
remembers your favorite kind of toast ; light or
dark . Companies are designing a "smart" coffee
maker and a "smart" clock . the coffee maker can
measure the water and coffee . It can even put milk
in your breakfast coffee and make black coffee in
the afternoon . the clock will check the time on
other clock in your house , and give information
about other appliances . For example , it can tell
you , " Your coffee maker needs more water ."
And that's only the begining . One company is now advertising " Save time ---- phone your washing machine !"
Engineers are making a "smart" house . In this house , the lights , heater , and air conditioner change automatically
when family members come home . This makes the home comfortable , and it saves a lot of energy . Pervasive
computing could change many parts of our dairy lives.
But do people really want pervasive computing ? Do they really need technology everywhere ? One company
asked people about their opinions on "smart' appliances . There were surprises . A "smart" refrigerator can buy
more food on the Internet , but people didn't want it , because it might make mistakes .
" Pervasive computing is as important as a telephone " , says Rebecca Blair , president of Inno Tech
Corporation . But some of these products are not useful , or even practical . Companies should learn more about the
technology that people really want .