Recording your life
Microsoft supports a number of researchers as they explore possible technology devices and applications. During their annual TechFest last week, a number of the projects were put on display for other researchers and journalists. The project that received the most press was the SenseCam. The device is worn around your neck, and during the course of the day it monitors motion and light. If it detects a change, it snaps a picture. It can record and store up to 2,000 pictures a day, which you can download to your computer.
I’m torn between the geeky part of me that thinks this is pretty cool just from a purely technical point of view, and the more neo-Luddite part of myself that thinks this is pretty narcissistic. (Does the world really need to collect over a half-million pictures per individual per year?)
I suppose for students, it could add a lot to note-taking - they’d have pictures of all the work on the white board or overhead. As long as they were looking forward, anyhow. If someone missed class, their classmate could email the images of any projected material.
On the other hand, it would sure cut into the excuses. “OK, class, now that we’re back inside from the fire alarm, please hand over your SenseCams so we can scan to see who pulled the alarm. Anyone who’s SenseCam was shut off will automatically face detention.”
Some schools are already keeping all classrooms and hallways under constant video recording. The cost of this continues to get lower and lower, with the cost of video cameras already under $100. I think it will be a standard part of school setups within five years. Are we ready for that?
Getting back to where this all started, you can read about the SenseCam at www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/ptech/03/05/visual.diary.ap/index.html.