Mobile Computing Eli Watts & James Willett 11/24/2008 Meeker CSC 201.

Mobile Computing

Eli Watts & James Willett11/24/2008

Meeker CSC 201

Mobile Computing

• a generic term describing one's ability to use technology while moving

Advantages of Mobile Computing

“On the Go” Computing• Americans find it more and more convenient to have the

ability to access a computer, no matter where they are. With life getting increasingly busy, there is no time to stand still.

Advantages cont.

Internet Connectivity• With mobile computers like the PDA and cell phone, internet

access is now at the fingertips of the user. An Ethernet cord is no longer needed to connect to the internet with wireless internet on mobile computers.

Advantages cont.

Communication• Probably the most common form of mobile computing used in

the world today is through mobile phones, or more commonly, cellular phones. These allow for the fast and easy communication between people without the use of a Wire Phone.

Advantages cont.

Entertainment• Another very popular use of mobile computing is through

video games and mp3 players. Most commonly the iPOD and others, mobile computing allows for one to listen to music and play video games to pass the time.

Disadvantages of Mobile Computing

Insufficient Internet Connectivity• In addition to the ability for one to connect to the internet

without being on an actual computer comes the disadvantage of slow internet connectivity. Mobile Computers are only able to connect to slower WAN lines (wireless), even though some are starting to find faster connections.

Disadvantages cont.

Power Consumption• With mobile computing also comes battery life. Though

research is trying to make more mobile computers solar powered, the vast majority of mobile computers must be periodically charged in order to function.

Disadvantages cont.

Transmission Interference• Mobile computing can also be hindered by the terrain and

weather. Since internet use and communication are signal dependent, bad weather or mountainous terrain can interfere with mobile computers sufficiency.

Disadvantages cont.

Health Issues• More and more car accidents are a result of mobile

computing, whether it’s by talking on a cell phone or operating an iPOD. Also, radiation emissions are currently under research as to the possible harm they do to the user.

Different Kinds of Mobile Computers

• Cell phones• Personal Digital Assistants (PDA)• Wearable computers• Many more

Cell Phones

The first concept of the cellular phone was introduced in 1947 by a group of researchers in AT&T, thinking that cell service areas could be utilized to communicate between base service cells. This is where the concept of a “cellular” phone comes from.

Cell Phones cont.

The Federal Communications Committee (FCC) ruled that a limit should be placed on the amount of radio frequencies within a certain service area. This greatly inhibited the development of the cellular phone and it was not until 1968 that the FCC withdrew the ruling and allowed for more radio frequencies to be present.

Cell Phones cont.

The first cell phone call was finally made in 1975, by inventor Dr. Martin Cooper to Joel Engal. Joel Engal was also researching cellular phones and was considered Dr. Cooper’s rival in the race to make a cellular phone.

Cell Phones cont.

Since then, the cell phone has advanced greatly, going from the “box,” to the flip phone, to the slider, and most recently the touch screen.

Cell Phones cont.

Cell phones also began incorporating more features, from a camera, to a video camera, to mp3 players, video games, and many other features as well.

Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)

• History of the PDA

PDA cont.

• PDAs go all the way back to the 1970s • PDAs have continually gained function and

gotten smaller over their existence. Now even basic cell phones have some type personal organizer built in.

• Until quantum computing and nanotechnology are perfected, which will probably be many decades from now, the PDA will remain the smallest practical computer

Wearable Computers

Wearable Computers are computers that worn physically on/in the body of the user. The most notable are pacemakers and blood glucose meters for diabetics, but also include prosthetics, hearing aids, and military uses.

Wearable Computers cont.

In the military, a prime wearable computer is the Future Force Warrior Cooling System (FFW-CS) which a garment that measures the soldier’s temperature, and heats and cools the solder as needed.

Smart Phones

• Smart phones are mobile phones with advanced features. Some even running their own operating systems. Windows mobile palm OS and Apple’s iPhone interface.

Smart Phones cont.

• iPhone

The Future of Mobile Computing

• Nokia Morph: Cell Phone of the Future