Always-On Computing

A model of interaction in which computing devices — particularly wearables such as smartwatches, AR glasses, and fitness trackers — remain continuously active and accessible throughout the day rather than being engaged only for discrete tasks. Always-on computing shifts design concerns from short-session usability toward long-session ergonomic sustainability, social legibility across contexts, battery and thermal constraints, and ambient privacy. For accessibility, always-on devices can provide continuous support (real-time captions, navigation cues, reminders) for users with sensory, cognitive, or memory-related disabilities, but also raise concerns about fatigue, data collection, and the visibility of assistive-technology use in public.