Smart Objects and Smart Devices

So, how does .NET contribute to the development of smart objects and smart devices, as discussed in class?

For one, it's use of open standards (hopefully) guarantees wider acceptance - no one has to worry about locking themselves into a specific vendor or product line just to be able to use things like web services. Second, the use of XML opens up many proprietary data formats into a more readable format. Thus, it becomes possible for applications to use data originating from another application entirely.

XML also abstracts the data from its presentation. This is significant, since presentation data can make information otherwise useful unusable by a device not understanding it. Thus, by eliminating presentation data it becomes possible for a system like a PC to present and allow access to data in one manner while allowing simpler devices like PDAs and cell phones to present it in a more reduced fashion suitable for their capabilities.

By using SOAP, it also ensures that even these simplest of devices will be able to harness the full power of web services available to it over the Internet. Inter-network security issues are effectively bypassed by using existing openings in firewalls and other servers for HTTP, HTTPS and SSL while still providing secure transmissions, thus simplifying deployment of distributed applications. Existing HTTP servers can easily be upgraded to support SOAP. And SOAP is gaining widespread industry support, even from traditional enemies like Microsoft and Sun.

Musings on the aforementioned