Presence

This post scoffs at technology that replicates the actions of an individual at a distance to create the illusion that they are there via "connected furniture". I think that presence, the feeling that someone else is near, is valued by people.

I heard about some doo-hickey in Japan (where else) that connects an electric kettle to a light, so relatives can tell when their grandparent is making themselves a drink. I actually think this is pretty neat. In addition, most of the value I get from IM is the little green lights letting me know my friends are just a click away.