Sure, civilization would move forward without Internet-enabled washing machines and dryers, but these devices do make sense and they point to a far more important trend.

Perhaps I'm repeating myself, but this is important: Ubiquitous access to all information is changing the world dramatically. The emphasis here is on the words "all information." Sure, it might seem unnecessary to get an e-mail or text message when your clothes are dry. But the idea behind ubiquitous computing is that we gain more control over our lives at home and work while spending less time and energy.That might mean a sales rep checking on inventory from a customer site and placing an order in real time. That, in turn, makes the manufacturing process more precise, which can be a big benefit to a company's bottom line. Or, it can mean a text notification that your jeans are ready to wear again.

While some information is more important to us than other information, the technology doesn't care. So as 3G becomes a reality and mobile wireless broadband approaches, I expect to see ever-more applications emerge. Some will be truly useful, adding to our organizations' profits or having a dramatic impact on the quality of our lives. Others will tell us that the spin cycle has started. But all these applications are cut from the same bolt of cloth.