1. the unlimited or incalculably great three-dimensional realm or expanse in which all material objects are located and all events occur.
2. the portion or extent of this in a given instance; extent or room in three dimensions: the space occupied by a body.
3. extent or area in two dimensions; a particular extent of surface: to fill out blank spaces in a document.
4. a seat, berth, or room on a train, airplane, etc.
5. a place available for a particular purpose: a parking space
6. linear distance; a particular distance: trees separated by equal spaces.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

For anyone that has been following the developments in digital technology in the past few years, the future is quite obvious. Some call it ubiquitous computing, some pervasive computing, others call it ambient intelligence. We do not want to call it anything else than what it is: space.

There are three reasons why we have chosen to use this ordinary and plain term. The first one is, we like analog things. The way well worn-in furniture feels, the sounds of a city, the smell of musty old books. The second is that this new technology is going to exists side by side with technology that came long before it. It is not going to be another shiny new device, brought inside in a cardboard box. It is not going to be something that people have to make an effort to learn to use. It will co-exist with the old and be usable in much the same way most everyday items are. The third thing is that we have grown slightly tired of the screen. There is absolutely nothing wrong with it, but you can only go so far until the keyboard, mouse and pixels form an unscalable wall.

That is why we feel that the framework for exploring this new entity should be exactly the same as it is with everything else. The space we inhabit.

Many smart people have explored the subject from various angles, mostly from a technological or design point of view. Curiously lacking is the business angle. We will explore several viewpoints but first and foremost we will be looking to spot emerging business opportunities. Where to find those opportunities? How to create value for customers? How to use spaces to create competitive advantage?

Our ultimate goal is still very much unclear. As always with exploration, we hope to stumble upon something significant. If not, we are sure to learn a lot on the way.

You can reach us at janne [at] iamthespacewhereiam.com and hannu [at] iamthespacewhereiam.com

“I am the space where I am”
-Nöel Arnaud