Granted, there are surely some promising applications that make Madrid-based Via Inteligente's Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled pavement a cause for excitement. According to Cohen, the pavement will allow "Things such as maps, information on nearby tourist attractions, music, local cultural events, coupons and even welcome and warning messages," to be sent to passersby. iPavement is also intended as a sensor network for "gathering useful information about pedestrian traffic flows and ambient air temperature."

However, are we the only ones feeling prematurely nostalgic for a time when a quiet walk down the street was the ideal avenue for reflection, and a chance to step away from your screens, rather than become immersed in them?