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More precise definition the Connected Devices mission?

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Michiel de Jong

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Feb 8, 2016, 5:04:40 AM2/8/16
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Hi,

The mission of Connected Devices is "to deliver an uncompromising, User first, web centric experience via Connected Devices" (see https://wiki.mozilla.org/Connected_Devices).

I would like to get a more precise idea of what we mean by this. What are the pain points? For example:

* Keeping your data under your control
* Security
* Web apps over native apps
* Interoperability
* Inclusivity/Localization

Maybe we can add a link to a wiki page about this?


My 2ct,
Michiel.

Tiffanie Shakespeare

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Feb 8, 2016, 3:29:01 PM2/8/16
to Michiel de Jong, Firefox OS Connected Devices Team, Connected Cohorts, dev-...@lists.mozilla.org
+ connected devices

As part of the innovation process, we are asked to answer "why Mozilla?".
Something I've been struggling with while ideating is: How does IoT and the connected home fit into our mission and values? Answering this question would help frame our discussion and produce better solutions.

Thanks!

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David Flanagan

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Feb 8, 2016, 5:16:57 PM2/8/16
to Tiffanie Shakespeare, Connected Cohorts, dev-fxos, Michiel de Jong, Firefox OS Connected Devices Team
Here's my take on this important question:

Our mission is to "promote openness, innovation and opportunity on the Web". Neither IoT in general nor the connected home more specifically is today part of the open web. But if we move quickly and aggressively enough into this immature market, we may have the opportunity to shape the technology, plant our flag and claim the connected home as part of the open web. And if we can pull this off, then our mission and manifesto become very relevant.

I think this is the same thing we tried to do in the smartphone market, but this time we've picked an industry segment that is not already so mature that it is hard to break in to.

  David

Jesus Muñoz

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Feb 8, 2016, 5:23:13 PM2/8/16
to David Flanagan, Connected Cohorts, Tiffanie Shakespeare, Firefox OS Connected Devices Team, dev-fxos, Michiel de Jong
I think one of the ways to start is to frame the connected devices not only as connected home. The home is only one use scenario, and the idea of "home" varies from person to person.

I would go more on the direction of device landscapes [1, 2]: a network of interactive digital artifacts that communicate with each other, sharing information and functionalities, and become part of our everyday reality.

Some of my concerns about "connected devices" are:

a) the complex interactions between the user and device (experiences, time both as duration and as well-timed, patterns and strategies of use, control, understanding, privacy, physicality, personalization, intimacy with the device, re-purposing)

b) ethical vs "obscure" relationships between user and device [3], related to previous point but this refers to the dependent relationship of only consumption instead of reciprocity

c) the more and more technological complexity on devices (hardware, software, timespan of hw and sw)

d) the complex relationships between devices (APIs, standards, data exchange, security)

e) the increasing interactivity, connectedness, and ubiquity-pervasiveness of the devices

f) the political properties of the devices (power tensions, social order, commercial vs personal interests) [4]

g) the social properties (devices mediating interactions between people, families, communities, etc)


I think this is enough food for thought and I am sure that there are some points in that list that you guys can bring something positive to it.

I would also have a look at the IOT manifesto [5], they have some interesting points.


my 2cents :)

Jesus
@jmunox


[1] Sloterman E. et al. (2013) Device Landscapes - A New Challenge to Interaction Design and HCI Research
[2] Wiberg, M. (2012) Landscapes, Long Tails and Digital Materialities: Implications for Mobile HCI Research.
[3] Borgmann, A.  (1984) Technology and the Character of Contemporary Life. U Chicago Press, Chicago.
[4] Winner, L. (1980) Do artifacts have politics? Daedalus 109: 121–136.
[5] http://iotmanifesto.com/

Katie Caldwell

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Feb 8, 2016, 5:26:04 PM2/8/16
to cd_al...@mozilla.com, Connected Cohorts, Tiffanie Shakespeare, dev-fxos, Michiel de Jong
+ cd allstaff

tif, I think this is the list you meant to include :)
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Katie Caldwell  •  UX Designer /
Connected Devices UX Design Team  •  Portland, Oregon  •  IRC: KatieC

Michiel de Jong

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Feb 9, 2016, 8:12:58 AM2/9/16
to Katie Caldwell, Connected Cohorts, Tiffanie Shakespeare, dev-fxos, CD_allstaff
On Mon, Feb 8, 2016 at 11:25 PM, Katie Caldwell <kcal...@mozilla.com> wrote:
+ cd allstaff

tif, I think this is the list you meant to include :)

On Mon, Feb 8, 2016 at 2:16 PM, David Flanagan <dfla...@mozilla.com> wrote:
Here's my take on this important question:

Our mission is to "promote openness, innovation and opportunity on the Web". Neither IoT in general nor the connected home more specifically is today part of the open web. But if we move quickly and aggressively enough into this immature market, we may have the opportunity to shape the technology, plant our flag and claim the connected home as part of the open web. And if we can pull this off, then our mission and manifesto become very relevant.


Yes, good point, and personally I like the concept of:

Firefox browser -> push the open web of documents (and services)
FxOS smartphone -> push the open web of (client-side/offline-first) applications
Connected Devices projects -> push the open web of things

But I do feel it relates to only point d) in Jesus Muñoz's list https://groups.google.com/d/msg/mozilla.dev.fxos/uuJeHb8CBDM/2koEMbAUCQAJ and IMHO there is more to cover than just the (in itself important) point of using web technology to make the IoT space more open.

For instance, what would be the IoT-specific equivalent of goals like tracking protection, private browsing, and end-to-end encryption? The link to http://iotmanifesto.org/ from Jesus's post also has some interesting points in that respect, maybe we can use some of them as well, as part of a more Mozilla-specific list.


My 2ct,
Michiel.

David Rajchenbach-Teller

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Feb 9, 2016, 8:18:57 AM2/9/16
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Yes, we definitely should not stop at "home".

While home automation is trendy, I will personally be happier to see our
work on Connected Devices used in shops, farms and schools than in homes.

Cheers,
David

Ari Jaaksi

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Feb 9, 2016, 11:10:28 AM2/9/16
to Michiel de Jong, CD_allstaff, Tiffanie Shakespeare, dev-fxos, Katie Caldwell, Connected Cohorts, Porfirio Landeros
I think this is very good input and discussion. We indeed need to strengthen the message. I've been thinking along the following lines:

The motivation for Connected Devices and IoT

The Internet of Things is the next chapter of the Internet. It will expand the Internet to new, exciting places and will revolutionize the way we interact with the world around us. It is very important that the Internet remains open and accessible. We want end users to have the freedom and security to enjoy it fully. Our principles (https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/about/manifesto/) are thus as impactful as ever! Our mission is to enrich people’s lives, protect their privacy, and help the Internet stay an open and exciting platform for us all!

......
In all our projects, we will put the end user first. We aim to deliver an uncompromising, user first, Web-centric experience to end users. We will create and make available a set of products and platforms that promote the enjoyment, freedom, and security of the new Internet including the Internet as we know it today plus the Internet of Things.
....
The Internet of Things is a new frontier with a lot of promise but also with its challenges. On one hand, there are not yet prevailing business models, no established products or platforms, and not even a solid end user pull. But, on the other hand, technologies are developing fast, companies are making big investments, and focus in many of them is clearly on the Internet of things. It is exciting to envision all the new experiences this connected world will bring us while keeping in mind the new challenges that will come in privacy and security. It is indeed this intersection of opportunities and challenges that makes us firmly believe that it is the right time for Mozilla to make a strong entry to the Internet of Things --- to the next chapter of the Internet around us."

As I'm _clearly_ not a marketing person and also a man of too may words :-) , I've asked Porfirio to to start to work on this. I suggest we keep him closely in the loop. I believe we need to use element presented in this discussion to articulate why IoT is so important for Mozilla and for Web. But then, even more importantly, we need to deliver experiences and platforms that have impact.

--Ari

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