I should have been in Boston this week for a conference on wearable computing. The story details half a dozen applications well on their way to market, and a quick look at the conference agenda shows they talked about all the right subjects.

“BOSTON - From clothes riddled with sensors to name tags that detect our moods, computing’s next wave could unleash small devices that increasingly augment everyday activities with digital intelligence.” However, the key quote is at the end of the article: “The idea,” he said, “is to wear your remote, not to carry it.”

Wearable computing is important as it advances the concept of pervasive computing. Pervasive computing has real potential impacts on information assurance as it may multiply the number of nodes connected to a network, contribute greatly to network traffic, involve the constant transmission of data which may be sensitive (especially when combined with other data streams), and produce an unhealthy desire to increase monitoring of personal behaviour already far too evident in UK government. More about wearable computing can be found here.

It has wider implications for UK government, as it will enable services (many yet to be created, some that are currently delivered in other ways) that governments could rationally be expected to supply citizens.

Progress in wearable computing seemed stalled for a few years. It’s back.