Middleware for ubiquitous computing

The advent of cheap and ubiquitous computing is revolutionizing the way we work and play, as well as provide enhanced support environments for critical applications such as medicine. These computer and communications based environments will provide more capabilities and control to the applications and user and will provide them with a mobility not seen before. However, we need to first define and design some of the core middleware building blocks necessary to accomplish this evolution. This panel session will provide a short overview on the changing nature of our "electronic environment" and then the panelists will address 2 applications areas based on these new models as well as the requisite middleware to support them. The final panelist will discuss some of the underlying infrastructure to support these environments.