Chapter 1

Introduction
 What is mobile Computing?
• Computing Technologies are the technologies that are used to
manage, process, and communicate the data.
• Mobile Computing is a technology that allows transmission of data,
voice and video via a computer or any other wireless enabled device
without having to be connected to a fixed physical link.
• Wireless computing is transferring the data or information between
computers or devices that are not physically connected to each other
and having a “wireless network connection”. For example, mobile
devices, Wi-Fi, wireless printers and scanners, etc.
• The main concept involves −
- Mobile communication
- Mobile hardware
- Mobile software
 Mobile Communication
 The mobile communication in this case, refers to the infrastructure
put in place to ensure that seamless/Whole and reliable
communication goes on.
 These would include devices such as protocols, services,
bandwidth, and portals necessary to facilitate and support the
stated services.
 The data format is also defined at this stage. This ensures that
there is no collision with other existing systems which offer the
same service.
 Since the media is unguided/unbounded, the overlaying
infrastructure is basically radio wave-oriented. That is, the signals
are carried over the air to intended devices that are capable of
receiving and sending similar kinds of signals.
 Mobile Hardware
• Mobile hardware includes mobile devices or device
components that receive or access the service of
mobility. They would range from portable laptops,
smartphones, tablet Pc's, Personal Digital Assistants.
• These devices will have a receptor medium that is
capable of sensing and receiving signals. These devices
are configured to operate in full- duplex, whereby they
are capable of sending and receiving signals at the same
time. They don't have to wait until one device has
finished communicating for the other device to initiate
communications.
 Mobile Software
• Mobile software is the actual program that runs on the
mobile hardware.
• It deals with the characteristics and requirements of
mobile applications. This is the engine of the mobile
device. In other terms, it is the operating system of the
appliance. It's the essential component that operates the
mobile device.
• Since portability is the main factor in mobile computing,
so it ensures that users are not tied or pinned to a single
physical location, but are able to operate from anywhere.
It incorporates all aspects of wireless communications.
 Mobile Computing Evolution
• In today's computing world, different technologies have emerged. These
have grown to support the existing computer networks all over the
world. With mobile computing, we find that the need to be confined
within one physical location has been eradicated. We hear of terms such
as telecommuting, which is being able to work from home or the field
but at the same time accessing resources as if one is in the office.
• The advent of portable computers and laptops, Personal Digital
Assistants (PDA), PC tablets and smartphones, has in turn made mobile
computing very convenient. The portability of these devices ensure and
enable the users to access all services as if they were in the internal
network of their company. For example, the use of Tablet PC and iPads.
This new technology enables the users to update documents, surf the
internet, send and receive e-mail, stream live video files, take
photographs and also support video and voice conferencing.
 Cont’d…
• For example, cellular service providers are forced to improve and be
innovative to capture more subscribers. This can be in terms of
superior services such as high speed internet and data access, voice
and video service etc. Hence the adoption of different generations
of networks like of 2G, 2.5G, 3G, 4G network services.
• The essence of mobile computing is to be able to work from any
location. The use of iPads, tablets, smartphones, and notebooks,
have pushed the demand for these devices. Modern day workers
have such devices that enable them to carry out their work from
the confines of their own location. These devices are configured to
access and store large amounts of vital data. Executive and top
management can take decisions based on ready information
without going to the office.
 Mobile Computing Classifications
• Mobile computing is not only limited to mobile
phones, but there are various gadgets available
in the market that are built on a platform to
support mobile computing. They are usually
classified in the following categories −
- Personal Digital Assistance (PDA)
- Smart Phones
- Tablet Pc and Ipad
 PDA
• The main purpose of this device is to act as an electronic organizer
or day planner that is portable, easy to use and capable of sharing
information with your computer systems.
• PDA is an extension of the PC, not a replacement. These systems are
capable of sharing information with a computer system through a
process or service known as synchronization. Both devices will
access each other to check for changes or updates in the individual
devices. The use of infrared and Bluetooth connections enables
these devices to always be synchronized.
• With PDA devices, a user can browse the internet, listen to audio
clips, watch video clips, edit and modify office documents, and
many more services. The device has a stylus and a touch sensitive
screen for input and output purposes.
 Smart Phones
• This kind of phone combines the features of a PDA with that of a mobile
phone or camera phone. It has a superior edge over other kinds of mobile
phones.
• Smartphones have the capability to run multiple programs concurrently.
These phones include high-resolution touch screens, web browsers that
can access and properly display standard web pages rather than just
mobile-optimized sites, and high-speed data access via Wi-Fi and high
speed cellular broadband.
• The most common mobile Operating Systems (OS) used by modern
smartphones include Google's Android, Apple's iOS, Nokia's Symbian,
RIM's BlackBerry OS, Samsung's Bada, Microsoft's Windows Phone, and
embedded Linux distributions such as Maemo and MeeGo. Such operating
systems can be installed on different phone models, and typically each
device can receive multiple OS software updates over its lifetime.
 Tablet PC and iPads

• This mobile device is larger than a mobile phone or a PDA and

integrates into a touch screen and is operated using touch
sensitive motions on the screen. They are often controlled by a
pen or by the touch of a finger. They are usually in slate form and
are light in weight. Examples would include ipads, Galaxy Tabs,
Blackberry Playbooks etc.
• They offer the same functionality as portable computers. They
support mobile computing in a far superior way and have
enormous processing horsepower. Users can edit and modify
document files, access high speed internet, stream video and
audio data, receive and send e-mails, attend/give lectures and
presentations among its very many other functions. They have
excellent screen resolution and clarity.
Mobile Computing and its applications
• Web or internet connection
• GPS (Global Positioning System)
• Entertainment Services
• Smart Education
• Smart Health
• Messaging
• Data warehousing
• Retailing
• Shipping
• Agriculture
• Surveying ………
 Assignment 1 (5%)
• Write in detail about Advantages and
Disadvantages of Mobile Computing?
 ! !
Yo u!
n k
h a
T