The Pervasive Web - exactly when are you online?

The internet is coming – well let’s be honest it has arrived and got its feet up on the sofa. These days many people are 'online' a lot of the time – a lot through the normal computer, but ever more so using other devices. Phones are the most common example, email, chat, Facebook and Twitter are all things people can and frequently do using a mobile. However this is only the start of it.

What about listening to music online? Well you can obviously do this through your computer – but did you know you can buy Hi-Fi’s that connect to your home network and allow you to listen to internet radio no differently to how you would listen to FM radio. This is just an inkling of “The Pervasive Web”.

Over the coming years the internet will greatly reduce in visibility, moving from being the 'big thing' to being the core underlying tool to allow real functionality into our lives.

Internet radio through a normal Hi-Fi is just the tip of the ice-berg. You might ask why is that different?. The reason is that when tuning the radio it feels 'real', no concept of 'logging on' or 'sitting at a computer'. This is the point where the internet fades away and functionality shines through.

What else might there be that that we are used to that 'goes online'?

What about your house? Might be a few steps away yet, but there is a logical path that leads to your electricity bill not just telling you how much you used, but providing a breakdown per product in your house, or even automatically switching you to the cheapest supplier based upon your usage.

What about shopping? Why not have a device in your kitchen that you scan empty packages into – and have those automatically delivered, or waiting for you at the supermarket in a pre-done trolley so you just have to get the extras.

What about DIY? Why not have the ability to photograph things and have your trolley help you make sure you have the right size screw or nut.

Think any of these things are way off in the future? They are probably a lot closer than you think – the technology already exists, has done for years and the infrastructure exists. The only things that are missing at the moment are ideas from companies, and the public to get on board with changing how they do things.

This kind of internet interaction throughout peoples lives is going to be a critical and vital part of business over the coming years – not only will companies be offering fantastic instant services to customers, but they will also be gaining valuable insight to their customers behaviors and activities offering fantastic opportunity to streamline business and offerings.

Here at Bluhalo we know that the internet is not just about websites but goes so much further beyond that – we know that in all situations data is king, and that as long as it is stored intelligently you can do literally anything with that information, from a website, to phone application to literally anything else.

The key to any company making use of this in the future is to understand what the possibilities are now so that they can ensure that data is stored in a future proof way – and if you are one of the fortunate companies who already has the data organised and has a willing customer base – then you should grab the initiative as you might find yourself being leaders in your field within months. As always here at Bluhalo we are here to help, guide, assist and product fantastic applications for you.

David C, Programmer