A number of technologies/spl minus/based upon the sensory modalities of sight, sound, and touch/spl minus/are becoming well enough established that their coordinated application can expand capabilities for human/machine interaction. This paper examines evolving advances in natural language communication with machines, video, and audio compression, spatially realistic conferencing, tactile interaction, and high-speed data communication. It considers the integration of these technologies into networked information systems to achieve synergistic benefits for the human user. >