Gadgets to learn about you

See original story at CNET News

I've often heard people humbly say "I'm not very good at computers." My favorite response is "No, it's just that computers aren't very good at you." (The original line is from a Friends episode where Jeff Goldblum is coaching Joey on acting technique...) Anyway, the point is that our frustrations with computers are often indicators of poor design. In his book The Design of Everyday Things, Don Norman makes the case that if tools are well-designed, the intuitive thing to do will be the right thing to do. Great idea, but it takes an exceptionally creative designer to implement it. The story linked describes another approach -- use machine learning so that software can adapt to the people who use it.

"Rather than teach your gadgets what to do, Intel researchers say that in the not-too-distant future they will learn about you on their own. That means where you are, how you're feeling, and what you want.

It's actually not as creepy as it sounds. Intel Chief Technology Officer and Director of Intel Labs Justin Rattner took the stage Wednesday at the annual Intel Developer Forum here to talk about the future of 'context-aware computing,' what Intel is doing about it, and how gadgets can make life easier for their owners, but in a way that the owners can control."