New Television Context-Aware Computing

New Television Meets Context-Aware Computing : June 22 2011 IDG00213281

By definition Context awarenesss is defined as complementary to location awareness. Whereas location may serve as a determinant for resident processes, context may be applied more flexibly with mobile computing with any moving entities, especially with bearers of smart communicators. Context awareness originated as a term from ubiquitous computing or as so-called pervasive computing which sought to deal with linking changes in the environment with computer systems, which are otherwise static. Although it originated as a computer science term, it has also been applied to business theory in relation to business process management issues..

It has been cited by Gartner May 2011 that as the middle of 2011 approaches, the IT atmosphere is rapidly making it possible for more vendors, service providers and enterprises to create context-aware experiences.

The report, Context-Aware Computing Special Report, explores the evolving landscape of context-aware computing, providing CIOs and their staff advice on best practices in investing and executing strategies involving context, and identifies the ways that leading companies are achieving competitive differentiation through integrated user experiences.

It further describes that enterprises can leverage context-aware computing to better target and deliver on the promise of increased customer intimacy for millions of consumers. For CIOs, the article recommends the timing of investment in context-aware computing will be critical. Organizations that do not prepare for thoughtful information sharing and usage will be at a severe disadvantage. However, organizations that invest too heavily too early will squander IT, marketing and operational resources. For context to drive enterprise growth, there must be a critical mass of users that want contextual interactions and have devices capable of providing advanced user experiences. And there must be an associated critical mass of economic activity.

There are several examples of context awareness battles presently and their impact on the electronic consumer market. Of course most of us are already consumed with the latest smart phones and apps and our ability to be “checked in” at the Key West Margaretville or the Nats Baseball game.  We check in for our flights via our barcodes confirmation on the cell phone and can even purchase tickets for an evening event via mobile while in route to our location. In short our phones have become our virtual assistances enabled by en ever changing context awareness strategy not only from our respective mobile providers but down to the cell application developer who created the Italian translation application with voice recognition.

In addition, the other growing arena, as cited by the Gartner report,  is the field of television. The focus of the article was key interaction models that are entering the US market place. The article summarized:

• A high-stakes race is under way to control the future of television and its $70 billion in U.S. ad revenue. (In contrast, online video advertising only claims about $1.5 billion.) As a consequence, advertisers face a bewildering array of competing platforms and concepts for what the future of TV viewing and advertising will be.
• Social interaction during TV viewing is rekindling interest in linear programming (as opposed to time-shifted and on-demand viewing), creating new opportunities for dual-screen commercial interactions, and paving the way for new applications of context-aware computing and ensemble programming to brand advertising.
• Although the current architecture of TV delivery is beset with roadblocks to rich interactive design, even the compromised solutions available today show clear indications that certain types of interaction can stimulate engagement among viewers.

In short, this article is touching on a new horizon that is sure to come, the concept of personalization in our home television viewing experience. When you think about it Phase One is already here. We each respectively sit down, channel surf to our show of preference or personally engage by selecting or On Demand choices. And while doing so, we can go online, make automated purchases on home shopping or answer emails.  What’s next?? Our television viewing service providers will take personalization to a new level. Suppose your TV knows it’s you sitting to watch, recommends shows you like based on your historical viewing patterns,  has already pre-recorded shows you may be interested in, provides you status on your latest television purchase, checks for new incoming emails and also in connected to both your Netflix and your ITunes library and updates your purchases to the Cloud?