The New EasyLiving Project at Microsoft Research
Steven A. Shafer, John C. Krumm, Barry L. Brumitt, Brian R. Meyers, Mary P. Czerwinski, Daniel Robbins · 1998
EasyLiving is a new project in intelligent environments at Microsoft Research. We are working to make computing more accessible and more pervasive than today’s desktop computer. More specifically, our goal is to develop a prototype architecture and technologies for building intelligent environments that facilitate the unencumbered interaction of people with other people, with computers, and with devices. This paper describes our goals, design decisions, and applications of EasyLiving. 1. What Is Next in PCs? Software developers have had a long time to exploit the capabilities of the PC. While new applications for stand-alone PCs are still coming, it is primarily new connected devices that generate new applications and new markets. For instance, inexpensive color printers spawned desktop publishing for the consumer. Digital cameras are creating consumer demand for photo editing software. The World Wide Web (essentially a way of connecting other computers to your own) is giving us unprecedented access to information and a new reason to own a computer. We are looking at the physical home and work environments as the next things to connect to a PC. Not only will this encourage new applications, it may allow more natural interaction with computers, reducing the barriers of inconvenience that prevent computers from being used for more everyday tasks.