From customization to ubiquitous personalization: digital identity and ambient network intelligence

Reviewer: William W. Oblitey

Concern for the rate at which new electronic technologies are introduced into homes, cars, schools, and public places, and the rapid integration of computers and networks with everyday environments have inspired the author of this article to examine and discuss the many challenges, opportunities, and risks that these technologies pose. The greatest concern is that the full benefits of these electronic technologies will not reach most of their intended users. The multitude of services and applications has created new synergies and dependencies between these technologies and individual users, and proper design requires ease of user, almost instinctive, human interfaces. The article also examines the problem of digital identities, in light of the new technologies. Digital identity requires identification of individual users, in order to provide them with intelligent personal assistance, based on their needs in specific locations and contexts. The author uses scenarios based on location, life events, and social interactions to demonstrate the technological complexities of digital identity and ambient intelligence in the network. The article is well written, and the questions and challenges raised by the author are well worth the careful attention of scientists and manufacturers. Online Computing Reviews Service