A Novel Conceptual Model for Accessing Distributed Data and Applications, as well as Devices

As data and services are increasingly distributed in the network, rather than stored in a fixed location, one can imagine a scenario in which the Personal Computer, intended as a static workstation, is really disappearing. In such a scenario, users’ interactions are going to be mediated by ad-hoc connected devices, whose specific functionalities enable people to interact with data and services in different ways. If this vision holds true, a personal mobile device can potentially serve the function of portable access point to data, services and devices. This implies that a novel conceptual model for interaction needs to be designed, as well as its user interface. This position paper aims at raising a discussion around this topic. 1 Problem Statement and Research Questions Technologies such as NFC, Bluetooth, and RFID allow for the simple connection of multiple devices in the vicinity of the user. Devices can have different specific functionalities: Thus, ad hoc interactive stations can be assembled, like in an orchestra with different instruments and players. In such a scenario, one can expect the personal mobile device to become the initiator and director of the ensemble. By connecting, for example, a screen and a keyboard through the mobile, one can create a temporary interaction space, which extends the capabilities of each device as stand alone. At the same time, as mobile internet becomes available and affordable, the mobile device can play as personal access point to private and shared data, as well as applications, which are stored in the network. The conceptual model of Web 2.0, where aggregation of content is possible and simplified (and thus democratized), is already quite different from the type of hierarchical structure imposed by the PC operating systems: In the PC, data virtually have a spatial location and the allocation of access rights is tailored to a single user. In such a scenario, the traditional conceptual model of the Personal Computer looses its validity for a number of reasons: First, the association of data to a physical location such as the PC hard disk does not make sense any longer.