IBM'S PENSIEVE: WELCOME TO THE PAST

I recently read about IBM's Pensieve project on TechCrunch. It certainly was not announced with the mushroom cloud that accompanied too cool Cuil but the mere fact it was mentioned leads me to wonder.

Pensieve, in case you don't know, is IBM's research project into  launching maybe about a year from now a Personal Memory Organizer. It's main aim to:

"...help organize your memory and access information that otherwise might get lost. This technology uses images, sounds, and text recorded on everyday mobile devices to help people recall names, faces, conversations and other important information."

In theory, it sounds great but take a look at the video and the example of how the Pensieve can make the business card useful again. Oh yeah. I can see myself now being introduced to a guest at the Black Tie affair and asking for a few moments to pull my cell phone and snap a picture of the business card I was just handed....or even just as bad, setting aside some quiet time to take snapshots of my most recent collection of goodies.

Come on IBM...everything about business cards and wanting to store them physically or electronically is so passe. Ever wondered why we have so many personal and social networking sites ( especially those dedicated to professionals). IBM may not know this but with just the slightest of hints the web can already jog my memory in ways unimagined. Come on IBM...wake up...the future is here!!!

Comments

[Heather Dugan]

I'd have to agree that this is a few years too late and a little over-the-top for business/social settings. If I had the time for business card photography my kids would have fully-updated baby books and there would be no expired labels in my kitchen pantry...

[Adrian Keys]

Hey HD...always a smile to my face. Definitely...when I think about cutting edge technology I think about things that can make my life seamless, not something that will add extra layers.

And you are right...with all the things I would like to do with the kids, taking snapshots of business cards gets very little priority...