Ubiquitous Computing is a concept that is closely related to context-awareness and mobility. The philosophy behind ubiquitous computing is to provide transparent access to computer resources, whenever and wherever they are needed, via devices that are embedded throughout the user's own environment. Mark Weiser, who coined the term ubiquitous computing, suggests that computing technology should become an integral part of every-day life, embedded in the user's physical surroundings so that they do not need to consciously think about using it. An analogy can be drawn to pen and paper, where the user does not need to think about using the pen and paper in order to write with them. The sentences are thought about, but no conscious effort goes into using the pen to write them down.

The ubiquitous computing concept can be contrasted with virtual reality. In V.R. the technology aims to draw the user into the world of the computer, supplanting the reality of the user with a computer generated world. The intention of ubiquitous computing is a reversal of this philosophy, drawing the world of the computer out into the user's physical environment.

The conventional desktop computer model is abandoned in favour of many hundreds of different computing devices of varying shapes and sizes, each suited to particular tasks, that are scattered throughout the user's physical environment. So instead of having to cram all the work into the confines of a monitor, a number of electronic pads can be spread over your desk to show all the data currently being worked on. Other small electronic devices can be used as an equivalent to Post-It notes. Others still, can act as interfaces to everyday appliances such as a video recorder or light switch. In essence, computing technology is implanted into everyday tasks in order to assist the user whilst still retaining the helpful methods and models of the physical world.

Key attributes of the ubiquitous computing concept are the mobility, interconnectivity and context-awareness of these devices. Mobility allows the devices to be taken with the user if necessary, or moved to suitable places, etc. Interconnectivity allows the devices to be aware of each other and to exchange information or even control each other. Context-awareness allows the device to adapt its behaviour to the circumstances in which it finds itself in.

Our project is still using a single device as the focus of the user's computer interface rather than many hundreds scattered throughout the room. This is primarily a matter of feasibility rather than disagreement with this philosophy. The idea of embedding devices in the environment is more suited to an indoors office-type environment, unlike the outdoor environment that this project focuses on (i.e. field-work). In addition, the technology that will permit so many devices to effectively communicate wirelessly within such close range of each other simply isn't available yet. However, the other aspects of mobility and context-awareness that the ubiquitous computing concept encompasses are core ideas of this project.

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