Definition

silicon cockroach

Part of the Internet technologies glossary:

Silicon cockroach is a term invented by networking expert John Sidgmore to describe the tiny portable electronic devices that are expected to become popular in the next few years, creating new behavior patterns while putting new demands on network bandwidth capacity. Sidgmore's pervasive cockroaches are expected to multiply and become a significant driver of Internet growth with the average person carrying as many as five separate devices at a time within a few years. Examples include not only smart phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and other handheld devices but also "smart" home appliances, computerized clothing, and other less visible sensors. Such devices may communicate locally with Bluetooth RF or with infrared wireless, or at some point be plugged into longer-range wireless or wired networks.

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This was last updated in September 2005
Posted by: Margaret Rouse

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