From Smart Phone to Smart Office

Mobile computing goes further than smartphones and tablets.  At Solstice Mobile, we think about more than the device delivering content. We consider where the device is being used, what kind of content is being delivered, what other actions are in play when content is being accessed/delivered, and how the surrounding physical environment should inform the experience.  Here at Solstice Mobile, we talk about contextual computing.

Contextual computing is about computing in the physical world, away from the desk, in ways that make our live's more efficient and enjoyable.  Sometimes that computing task is facilitated via a smartphone or a tablet, but not always.  Sometimes it is facilitated by something connected to the Internet of Things: Like a WiFi enabled digital pen, or an I-Pass reader on the tollway; or a Speedpass at a McDonald's cash register; or a redbox kiosk; or a Nest thermostat.  Mobile is about computing in context of who you are, where you are and most importantly, how you want to interact with our global, interconnected, eco-system. 

Outside of our client projects, we're starting to incorporate these concepts into our offices in Chicago's Haymarket Square with our Smartoffice Program.  Our innovation roadmap already includes:

• Wireless video streaming of any laptop, smartphone or tablet to any flat panel display in the office. 
• Live Tweets of what conference rooms are open/occupied 
• Status of what in-suite bathrooms are available (seems odd, I know, but there is some quantifiable opportunity for operational efficiency here)
• Installation of smartphone enabled/lockable thermostats (a useful enhancement to correct one of the few downsides of having our offices in a 100+ year old timber loft building, we mess with the thermostat a lot, too much in some cases)
• Contextual QR Code scans around the office to trigger reorder requests for printer paper, paper towels, office supplies, food, beverages and the like
• A Stinky Fridge Button (button near the fridge, when pressed, sends out a floor-wide email notification of an impeding 48 hour fridge dump)
• Conference room body motion sensors to allow for 3D gesture control of any video streamed apps (CNN style)

These are a just a few of the initial low-hanging fruit ideas we'll be incorporating in the coming months.  Got any other ideas for our Smart Office program?  We'd love to hear them in the comments below.

-J