Web squared: paradigms and opportunities

In this article, we explore the technical implications related to Web Squared paradigm. Representing an evolution of Web 2.0 that emphasizes the interaction between the cyber world and the real world, Web Squared contemplates the use of sensors to share huge amounts of data and foster the creation of new services. In this context, we analyze the different approaches and opportunities related to the use sensor-equipped smartphones to generate and distribute context related data both automatically and through appealing user applications (e.g., games). We discuss a general methodology to adopt when devising smartphone-based distributed sensing applications and explore both the issues and adopted solutions in this context. Finally, we identify unresolved technical challenges limiting the widespread deployment of Web Squared services, which deserve future research effort.