PLANET BLUE

In Planet Blue, we are exploring the post-PC world by building and using new models for computing and collaboration. Wireless, wearable, and next-generation web technologies will be combined in new ways to support knowledge workers. What will it mean to have access to computing resources anytime from anywhere? How can contextual information be captured and used without violating personal privacy? How can information be personalized while still allowing groups to share a common view? What can we do to support work when all the devices are embedded in the environment and individuals carry none? Applications exploring some of these questions include the following:

Dynamic Personal Portals

We are creating and deploying environments that allow small groups to collaborate easily in pursuit of near-term goals. As our first example, we have reengineered that portion of the Research Division recruiting process that is focused on hosting applicant visits, replacing its many components with "personal portals." These automatically created team spaces, accessible from both browsers and handheld devices, give each applicant, the host, and interviewers a single, shared view into the process.

Enhanced Personal Information Management (PIM)

PIM tools are typically offered on PDAs, advanced pagers, and cell phones. Synchronization allows data on these devices to be backed up on personal computers, but synchronization among multiple devices is not supported. Getting at our personal data thus requires having the right device at the right time. We are exploring new PIM access modes that enable people the freedom to access and manage their personal information from any device at any time. These technologies vary dramatically, ranging from speech recognition and natural language understanding to agents and microbrowsers.

Blue Boards

We are used to carrying our information with us, and we are used to using kiosks to access information that is not ours. We are, however, not familiar with the experience of accessing our own information through public displays. To explore this possibility, we are creating and deploying distributed display surfaces that we call "Blue Boards." They will allow us to access our personal content and collaborate with other people as easily as gathering around a whiteboard. Blue Boards will provide a universal access infrastructure to allow access anywhere and anytime without the hassles and complexities of personal devices.

Smart Meetings

Distributed meetings have typically required expensive, specialized teleconferencing equipment and dedicated connections. Our work in "smart meetings" will investigate new technologies and new communication models to recreate the dynamics of face-to-face meetings in a virtual conference distributed across the globe. Sharing applications, video, and audio will be made easy whether attendees are in fully equipped conference rooms or calling in from airports or hotels.

Please contact Paridhi Verma to obtain copies of the Computer Science Brochure