Everyware: The Dawning Age of Ubiquitous Computing

by Adam Greenfield

Ubiquitous computing--almost imperceptible, but everywhere around us--is rapidly becoming a reality. How will it change us? how can we shape its emergence? Smart buildings, smart furniture, smart clothing... even smart bathtubs. networked street signs and self-describing soda cans. Gestural interfaces like those seen in Minority Report . The RFID tags now embedded in everything from credit cards to the family pet. All of these are facets of the ubiquitous computing author Adam Greenfield calls "everyware." In a series of brief, thoughtful meditations, Greenfield explains how everyware is already reshaping our lives, transforming our understanding of the cities we live in, the communities we belong to--and the way we see ourselves. What are people saying about the book? "Adam Greenfield is intense, engaged, intelligent and caring. I pay attention to him. I counsel you to do the same." -- HOWARD RHEINGOLD , AUTHOR, SMART THE NEXT SOCIAL REVOLUTION "A gracefully written, fascinating, and deeply wise book on one of the most powerful ideas of the digital age--and the obstacles we must overcome before we can make ubiquitous computing a reality." -- STEVE SILBERMAN , EDITOR, WIRED MAGAZINE "Adam is a visionary. he has true compassion and respect for ordinary users like me who are struggling to use and understand the new technology being thrust on us at overwhelming speed." -- REBECCA MACKINNON , BERKMAN CENTER FOR INTERNET AND SOCIETY, HARVARD UNIVERSITY Everyware is an AIGA Design Press book, published under Peachpit's New Riders imprint in partnership with AIGA.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Design, Technology, Computers, Computer Science, Ebooks

288 pages, Paperback

First published March 10, 2006

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Reviews

[Dave Emmett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a strong focus on the human side of new-fangled technology, which makes it refreshingly different than most books about the subject.

The only thing I didn't like about this book is that the extremely short chapters made the book feel very long. It was almost like reading a series of blog posts about ubiquitous computing, though a series of very well written and carefully ordered blog posts.

As a designer, the last section was the most relevant and interesting, about the ways everyware should be designed to preserve our humanity in the face of technological change. Short answer: it shouldn't make our lives worse.

[Troy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Published in 2006, but I read this in 2013. The most interesting part of this book was to see how far technology has advanced in those 7 years. A very tech-heavy book, but a fascinating read, albeit a bit dated at this point.

[Weixiang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concise, thematic, academic approach towards the study of ubiquitous computing. I picked up this book when I was thinking about different methods of ubiquitous background computing. Such examples would be automatic processes in different facets of our lives. What I liked about this book was the cautionary tales and more of the ethics of developing such technologies from inequality and class issues to biological implant ideas. The reading is dry, but fascinating none the less.

Reading level: 4, needs computer background to have full benefits. College junior level in comp sci or architecture.

Who is it for: automators, scriptors, home automation nerds.

[Ogi Ogas · Rating 2 out of 5]

My ratings of books on Goodreads are solely a crude ranking of their utility to me, and not an evaluation of literary merit, entertainment value, social importance, humor, insightfulness, scientific accuracy, creative vigor, suspensefulness of plot, depth of characters, vitality of theme, excitement of climax, satisfaction of ending, or any other combination of dimensions of value which we are expected to boil down through some fabulous alchemy into a single digit.

[Klaus Nöd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I re-read this book recently. In a way it is historical: it was written and published before Facebook became mainstream or iPhone’s launch. It is invaluable though, in regards to the ideas, visions and challenges that are inherent to emerging technology paradigms from their early inception to production and, finally, consumption. Given this, it’s a recommended read not only for technologists but everyone interested in the social impact of technology in everyday life.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read, especially the sections on determinism. It seems that most—if not all—areas of technology are converging toward some logical conclusion, whether we like it or not. I guess it makes sense when you recognize the elegant simplicity of the underlying architecture. Perhaps the end result is Q from Star Trek.

[Steven Deobald · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hard to imagine a time when this book needs to be read by more technologists in more countries and in more industries than 2018. The dangers presented and the solutions suggested are all laid bare before us.

[Joshua Palay · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it.

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent discussion of the origins of ubiquitous computing, current state of the art (as of 2005), where it might be headed and potential issues and design principles. A must-read, not only in terms of ubiquitous computing, but as an examplar of writings on the social use of technology and as a source of potential design principles for Web 2.0 app developers.

[Sonya]

I ordered a few "web design" books to inspire my fading interest in web design. This was one of them. I recently started participating in my web design hobby again and will more than likely read it. :)

[Ty · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 'thesis' presentation got on my nerves. It felt jarring, as if I were watching a movie with quick cuts between scenes. Yet that is the only complaint I have. The information and arguments in the book are flawless.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

nonfiction,transhumanism,ubiquitous computing

[Doug]

via:cso

[Sbisker]

Checked out from CMU library, in progress...

[Jac · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seems a curious mix of too-far-ahead and not-caught-up with today. Some good points overall but a little frustrating to read in the 'thesis' presentation.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most of the technology Greenfield discussed in this book are coming out and are already in existence now.

[Harald Felgner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent.

Although Adam Greenfield's theses are almost 9 years old, they look at least 5 years into the future!

[Jiri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great introduction into the ideas of the internet of things and ubiquitous computing.

[Charles McCrimmon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the concepts put forward.. some of them are a bit dated now but that was to be expected with the subject matter anyway.

[Bashar Kabbani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice idea, new thoughts!

[George]

Started, then stopped.

[Delhi Irc]

Location: GIC IRC
Accession no: DL026927