Smart Devices and Ubiquitous Computing

A smart device is an electronic device capable of interactive and autonomous operation, typically connected to networks or other devices via wireless protocols such as Bluetooth, Zigbee, NFC, Wi-Fi, NearLink, Li-Fi, or 5G. These devices often incorporate elements of ubiquitous computing, including (but not limited to) machine learning.

Common examples include smartphones, smartwatches, smart speakers, smart TVs, smart thermostats, smart locks, smart refrigerators, smart doorbells, tablets, phablets, smart glasses, smart keychains, smart bands, and smart cars.

Characteristics of Smart Devices

Smart devices typically consist of:

• Hardware layer: Includes sensors, processors, and wireless communication components.
• Network layer: Enables device-to-device or device-to-network communication.
• Application layer: Interface through which users interact and control the device.

These layers support features such as:

• Fixed or extensible hardware/software configurations.
• Plug-and-play resource expansion.
• Local autonomous operations and remote service access.
• Interaction with human, physical, and virtual environments.
• Ubiquitous computing capabilities.

Form Factors of Smart Devices

Mark Weiser (1991) proposed three basic form factors for ubiquitous computing:

• Tabs: Wearable or pocket-sized devices (e.g., smart cards, smartphones).
• Pads: Handheld devices (e.g., tablets, laptops).
• Boards: Large interactive displays (e.g., smart boards, surface computers).

While these forms are planar and display-oriented, relaxing these criteria expands the scope of ubiquitous devices significantly.

Ubiquitous Computing Properties

Weiser’s vision of ubiquitous computing emphasized:

• Networking and transparency: Devices should be seamlessly integrated and accessible.
• Hidden interaction: User interaction should be natural and unobtrusive.

Further core properties include:

• Autonomy: Devices can operate independently, self-regulate, and adapt.
• Dynamic interaction: Devices manage complex, evolving interactions, potentially through AI, enabling context awareness, semantic understanding, and goal sharing.

Due to the diversity in application, no single definition of ubiquitous computing suffices. Instead, a taxonomy of properties helps classify and describe different systems and environments.

Environmental Smart Devices

1. Types of environments smart devices operate in:
   • Virtual environments: Access to services anytime, anywhere.
   • Physical environments: Embedded with various smart components (e.g., sensors, controllers), in sizes ranging from nano to macro.
   • Human environments: People integrated with or accompanied by smart devices (e.g., smartphones, wearables, implantables).
2. Smart environments themselves: Physical spaces embedded with smart technology that enables sensing, control, and automation.

Smart Homes and IoT

Smart devices are integral to home automation, managing systems like lighting, HVAC, media, and security. Benefits include energy efficiency, improved convenience, and real-time monitoring.

Smart homes may be controlled via:

• Platforms and hubs: e.g., Apple HomeKit, Amazon Echo, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings.
• Open-source ecosystems: e.g., Home Assistant, OpenHAB, Domoticz.

Some devices, like Lenovo’s Smart Home Essentials, are directly compatible with mobile platforms such as iOS and can be controlled via Siri or the Apple Home app without needing additional bridges.

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