Continuous computing now a reality
Posted by The Skyliner on November 16th, 2011Jed Stevens
Contributing Writer
As Internet connected devices become more popular, the concept of continuous computing is becoming a reality.
Continuous computing is the idea that a person can have a seamless experience between all devices. In other words, a person could open a file on a laptop, pick up a smartphone and see the exact same file.
Continuous computing hinges on constant Internet connectivity and the cloud. With the advent of 3G wireless technology and smartphones, the Internet suddenly became available in a small, portable package. Since that time, smartphones have essentially become small computers, allowing many users to leave their full computers at home.
Although smartphones have been very popular, a large number of people have been wishing for more since these devices have limited power and space. Many were sacrificing features for convenience. Recently, however, that began to change.
Services such as Dropbox and Apple’s recently announced iCloud have made continuous computing a viable option. Instead of storing documents and photos on a computer hard drive, these services allow the user to store items in a virtual locker, which can be accessed from any device with an Internet connection.
This innovation has allowed smartphones, tablets and computers to be constantly updated and synchronized. It eliminates the need for flash drives or other forms of physical media. A person could write a paper, save it to the cloud, revise it on his tablet and then print it out from his smartphone.
Some services, like Dropbox, can store any type of file, making it an online file cabinet, while others, such as iCloud, serve specific purposes. iCloud is a new service from Apple that allows users of its mobile operating system to synchronize their portable devices. The system stores music, photos, calendars, contacts and application data, allowing a user to have a continuous experience across all devices.
The cloud is a very good solution for continuous computing, but there are some problems that need to be fixed. For many, the biggest problem with the cloud is security. Since files are stored on the Internet, it is possible that someone with malicious intent could access these files. Dropbox recently dealt with a security flaw that allowed hackers access to private user data. Secondly, many fear that their data could be lost somehow. If a server was to crash, or if the person lost Internet connectivity, his or her files could be inaccessible. To prevent the latter issue, one would be wise to implement smart backup procedures.
The current age is one of technology, and the innovations made in just the last five years have changed the way people think about technology. Despite its flaws, the cloud is well on its way to becoming yet another indispensable part of the connected life.
Tags: Fall 2011, Vol. 113 - Issue 9