xtel: A development environment to support rapid prototyping of "ubiquitous content"

This paper describes the "xtel" development environment for "Ubiquitous Content". Ubiquitous contents are real space applications that are embedded in day-to-day life and intended for use by consumers. This is content that is experienced through interaction with people, objects and environments that exist in real space. Xtel comprises three tools: the "moxa" MCU board that connects to sensors and actuators and is capable of short-distance wireless communications; the "Talktic" programming/runtime environment for the MCU board that contains a JavaScript parser, compiler, VM and library; and the "Entity Collaborator" P2P network library that is capable of handling continuous information such as video and audio in addition to the discrete information from sensors. Its use both accelerates development and makes development itself easier. As sample applications, this paper also contains an overview of three rapid prototypes developed for use in demonstrations at Maker Faire 2008.