Why is the internet in my tooth brush?!

Several converging technologies are creating a soup of information primed for creative thinkers.  Let's examine 2 such technologies.  Later, I will explain the "soup".

Contextual Computing:  This is the ability for a device or computer to gather information from its surroundings and present relevant, actionable findings.  Your favorite cell phone map application is contextual because it knows where you are and only needs to know where you want to go.  In fact, some map applications remember your history, know where you will be going and present traffic information and directions with no inputs.

Internet of Things (IoF):  This is the concept of connecting typically low tech devices to the internet.  Connect your thermostat to the internet so you can control the temperature from you iphone.  Connect your fridge and automatically re-order groceries you are missing.

At first glance, these two technologies seem like first world luxuries, but can they actually create a better world?  I think so, I'll share one such example.

The Smart Toothbrush:
Several companies are in different stages of developing and releasing a smart toothbrush.  Let's consider a few things a contextual, internet connected toothbrush could do:

1. Monitor your brushing habits on a mobile app (present them to you,  your parents, and dentist)
2. Advise you in real time if you haven't brushed every tooth
3. "Gamify" brushing your teeth by giving you points or other incentives in a virtual game when you practice good hygiene
4. Let you know when your toothbrush head needs replacing

In other words, in can lower healthcare costs, increase the personalized advise your dentist can give you, and stimulate the economy and the purchase of consumables all at the same time.

The "soup" I spoke of in the first line of this blog is semi-free flowing contextual data from a variety of sources.  Your heart rate from a smart watch.  The typical times you lock and unlock your door.  I say the data is semi-free flowing because it will be up to you, companies, and the government to decide how the data can be used.  The cloud technology for the data to be shared is already here.

Your body, your house, your car, and your phone will soon all be streaming data to one another.  If you allow it, they will also be streaming data to your friends' phones.  So, connect the dots; what can we create in this bizarre world of contextual seemingly unrelated data?  Can we help the sick, motivate the lazy, empower the brilliant? YES.  Can we become self-monitoring super beings? MAYBE  Can a computer virus attack the soup of information and cripple us all? MAYBE.  Technology empowers people.  In the end, it's up to all of us humans to decide how we use the power.  My recommendation would be to use machines to enhance human creativity and decision-making but not replace it.