| The word 'context' has never been as important to the research area of information technology as it is presently. Context is a simple word representing a very abstract and theoretically complex definition. Plainly stated, context is "the interrelated conditions in which something exists or occurs."* Humans have been programmed with the ability to interpret context using a wide array of senses. Information technology, however, has not. Incorporating the concept of context-awareness into information technology, particularly communication technology, will shift such technology into a new paradigm; the paradigm of Ambient Intelligence. Ambient Intelligence implies a change in the way people view, interact, and utilize technology. Moreover, Ambient Intelligence implies a brand new relationship between people and technology, such that technology becomes ubiquitously reflexive to peoples needs and literally invisible.;Before the paradigm of Ambient Intelligence can be achieved, a number of evolutions with regards to technology must occur. One of the major evolutions is that of convergence. (Abstract shortened by UMI.). |
