Chapter 2: Mobile Computing

S.N. Topics Page #

1 Mobile Computing 2
2 Mobile Communication 2
3 Mobile Hardware 2
4 Mobile Software 3
5 Evolution of Mobile Computing 4
6 Table: Global Smartphone Os Share 5
7 Personal Digital Assistance (PDA) 6
8 Smartphones 6
9 Tablet PC & Ipads 7
10 Major Advantages of Mobile 8
Computing
11 Security Issues in Mobile Computing 9

Mobile Computing Page 1

 Topic 2

Mobile Computing
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. 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 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.

Figure 2.1: Mobile communication

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.

Mobile Computing Page 2

 These devices will have a receptor medium
that is capable of sending 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.
Above mentioned devices use an existing
and established network to operate on. In
most cases, it would be a wireless network.

Figure 2.2: Mobile devices

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.

Figure 2.3: Mobile software

Since portability is the main factor, this type of computing 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 Page 3

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.

Evolution of Mobile Computing

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.
Figure 2.4: Mobile users

The constant and ever increasing demand for superior and robust smart devices has been a
catalyst for market share. Each manufacturer is trying to carve a niche for himself in the market.
These devices are invented and innovated to provide state-of-the-art applications and services.
For instance, different manufacturers of cellular phones have come up with unique smartphones
that are capable of performing the same task as computers and at the same processing speed. The
market share for different competitors is constantly being fought for. For example, the

Mobile Computing Page 4

manufacturers of Apple's iPhone OS, Google's Android' Microsoft Windows Mobile, Research
In Motion's Blackberry OS, are constantly competing to offer better products with each release.

Table 2.1: Global smartphone OS share

The need for better, portable, affordable, and robust technology has made these vendors to
constantly be innovative. Market figure and statistics show an ever growing need to purchase and
use such devices for either professional or personal use. It is in this light that services to suit
long-term implementation are developed or innovated. It has also pushed other industry vendors
to adopt services that will provide better services. 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.

Mobile Computing Page 5

Executive and top management can take decisions based on ready information without going to
the office. For example, sales reports and market forecasts can be accessed through these devices
or a meeting can take place via video or audio conferencing through these devices. With such
features being high in demand, manufacturers are constantly coming up with applications geared
to support different services in terms of mobile computing.

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 Assistant (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.

Figure 2.5: PDA mobile device

Smartphones

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.

Mobile Computing Page 6

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.

Figure 2.6: Smartphones

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,

Mobile Computing Page 7

attend/give lectures and presentations among its very many other functions. They have excellent
screen resolution and clarity.

Tablet PCS use virtual keyboards and handwriting recognition for text input through the
touchscreen. Also they can be connected to a full-size keyboard and monitor.

Two main types of tablet PCs:

1. Convertible -look a lot like normal

laptops except the screen can be rotated
all the way around and laid down flat
across the Keyboard.
2. Slate- looks like a flat screen without a
keyboard

Figure 2.7: Tablet PC and their types

Major Advantages of Mobile Computing

Mobile computing has changed the complete landscape of our day-to-day life. Following are the
major advantages of Mobile Computing.

 Location Flexibility

This has enabled users to work from anywhere as long as there is a connection established. A
user can work without being in a fixed position. Their mobility ensures that they are able to carry
out numerous tasks at the same time and perform their stated jobs.

 Saves Time

The time consumed or wasted while travelling from different locations or to the office and back,
has been slashed. One can now access all the important documents and files over a secure
channel or portal and work as if they were on their computer. It has enhanced telecommuting in
many companies. It has also reduced unnecessary incurred expenses.

Mobile Computing Page 8

 Enhanced Productivity

Users can work efficiently and effectively from whichever location they find comfortable. This
in turn enhances their productivity level.

 Ease of Research

Research has been made easier, since users earlier were required to go to the field and search for
facts and feed them back into the system. It has also made it easier for field officers and
researchers to collect and feed data from wherever they are without making unnecessary trips to
and from the office to the field.

 Entertainment

Video and audio recordings can now be streamed on-the-go using mobile computing. It's easy to
access a wide variety of movies, educational and informative material. With the improvement
and availability of high speed data connections at considerable cost, one is able to get all the
entertainment they want as they browse the internet for streamed data. One is able to watch
news, movies, and documentaries among other entertainment offers over the internet. This was
not possible before mobile computing dawned on the computing world.

 Streamlining of Business Processes

Business processes are now easily available through secured connections. Looking into security
issues, adequate measures have been put in place to ensure authentication and authorization of
the user accessing the services.

Some business functions can be run over secure links and sharing of information between
business partners can also take place. Meetings, seminars and other informative services can be
conducted using video and voice conferencing. Travel time and expenditure is also considerably
reduced.

Security Issues in Mobile Computing

Mobile computing has its fair share of security concerns as any other technology. Due to its
nomadic nature, it's not easy to monitor the proper usage. Users might have different intentions

Mobile Computing Page 9

on how to utilize this privilege. Improper and unethical practices such as hacking, industrial
espionage, pirating, online fraud and malicious destruction are some but few of the problems
experienced by mobile computing.

Another big problem plaguing mobile

computing is credential verification. As
other users share username and passwords, it
poses as a major threat to security. This
being a very sensitive issue, most companies
are very reluctant to implement mobile
computing to the dangers of
Figure 2.8: Security issues in mobile
misrepresentation.
computing

The problem of identity theft is very difficult to contain or eradicate. Issues with unauthorized
access to data and information by hackers, is also an enormous problem. Outsiders gain access to
steal vital data from companies, which is a major hindrance in rolling out mobile computing
services.

No company wants to lay open their secrets to hackers and other intruders, who will in turn sell
the valuable information to their competitors. It's also important to take the necessary
precautions to minimize these threats from taking place. Some of those measures include –

 Hiring qualified personnel.

 Installing security hardware and software
 Educating the users on proper mobile computing ethics
 Auditing and developing sound, effective policies to govern mobile computing
 Enforcing proper access rights and permissions

These are just but a few ways to help deter possible threats to any company planning to offer
mobile computing. Since information is vital, all possible measures should be evaluated and
implemented for safeguard purposes.

Mobile Computing Page 10