When I think about it, an analogy comes to mind that might be a bit far fetched (but maybe not) so consider this: it was the appearance of robust and easy to use operating systems that tied together a bunch of different pieces of computer hardware (like keyboards, display screens, CPUs, and storage devices) that made the personal computer a reality.

The hardware was already there and hobbyists and early pioneers were tinkering with it but not until the appearance of Apple DOS and MS-DOS did that great creation called the microcomputer or PC explode upon the scene and change the world for ever after. Those operating systems enabled all that hardware to work together, and in doing so, they became greater than the sum of their parts and a new whole new entity was born.

What would happen if my house got an operating system? It seems like it would start to come alive in the sense that it could start optimizing my use of power by continuous regulation of heating and cooling and lighting and music based on sensing my presence and the presence of others in the house. It could act on schedules and programs to place orders for food and supplies when needed, start up coffee makers and ovens and microwaves, and take voice mail messages for me and select what to wear based on what's in my closet and what my schedule calls for that day. It could also call repair people when it senses something has broken.

What kind of interface would it have? I think it would need to be based on a 3D image of my house inside and outside. I could call up rooms and address operations and gadgets in each room. I think I'd also want the interface to handle voice commands, touch screen input, cell phone input, as well as keyboard input.

This looks like a major market opportunity. Operating systems on single gadgets (like PCs or laptops) are fine as far as they go. But the future is about tying all these gadgets together into coherent entities that become greater than the sum of their parts. Who is working on this?