State, Context and Syncronisation

September 29th, 2007

I’m currently in a really interesting talk about state and syncronisation. We’re having a discussion all about how phones should be able to understand the state and syncronisation of data where data is relevant and time specific on a device on occasion. This form of syncronisation is key to getting mobile applications working in a way where people find us working in a constantly informed environment.

What is valuable to you between PC syncronisation times? For example the metadata within music and most played music is of interest to people. But do you want to go as far as listening to data on your pc and then continuing the same track when you take your phone and put your headphones in on your way out?

Data on web services could be a way of transfering this data anywhere, any time… however it assumes constantly connected environment and also the ability to interact with the data. It would be interesting to know how connected people really want to be though. What would happen if you were connected to the office seemlessly 24/7. Would the work life balance be totally ruined?

Security, safety and seemless transfer of data seem to be additional important items but weren’t the first issue that come to mind. What happens with a device which is lost? How do you secure this information… especially with ipods and such.

The history of this discussion came from Tom Hughes-Croucher and his syncronisation of his PC and his device or lack of there in.

Entry Filed under: Talks,Video