Mobile technology is a collective term used to describe the various types of cellular

communication technology. Mobile CDMA technology has evolved quite rapidly over the past
few years. Since the beginning of this millennium, a standard mobile device has gone from being
no more than a simple two-way pager to being a cellular phone, GPS navigation system, an
embedded web browser, and Instant Messenger client, and a hand-held video gaming system.
Many experts argue that the future of computer technology rests in mobile/wireless computing.

Illustration of the evolution of wireless technology

Contents
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 1 4G networking
 2 Operating systems
 3 Channel hogging & file sharing
 4 Future of smartphone
 5 References
 6 External links

[edit] 4G networking
One of the most important features in the 4G mobile networks is the domination of high-speed
packet transmissions or burst traffic in the channels. The same codes used in the 2G-3G networks
will be applied to future 4G mobile or wireless networks, the detection of very short bursts will
be a serious problem due to their very poor partial correlation properties. Recent study has
indicated that traditional multi-layer network architecture based on the OSI model may not be
well suited for 4G mobile network, where transactions of short packets will be the major part of
the traffic in the channels. As the packets from different mobiles carry completely different
channel characteristics, the receiver should execute all necessary algorithms, such as channel
estimation, interactions with all upper layers and so on, within a very short time to make the
detections of each packet flawlessly and even to reduce the congestion

[edit] Operating systems

There are many types of Smartphone operating systems available, including: Symbian, Android,
Blackberry, WebOS, Apple iOS, Windows Mobile Professional (touch screen), and Windows
Mobile Standard (non-touch screen). Among the most popular are the Apple iPhone, and the
newest - Android. Android is a mobile operating system (OS) developed by Google. Android is
the first completely open source mobile OS, meaning that it is free to any cell phone carrier. The
Apple iPhone, which has several OSs like the 3G and 3G S, is the most popular smart phone at
this time, because of its customizable OS which you can use to download applications made by
Apple (often referred to simply as "Apps") like games, GPS, Utilities, and other tools. Any user
can also create their own Apps and publish them to Apple's App Store. The Palm Pre using
WebOS has functionality over the Internet and is able to support Internet-based programming
languages such as CSS, HTML, and JavaScript. The BlackBerry RIM is a SmartPhone that has a
multimedia player and third-party software installation. The Windows Mobile Professional
Smartphones (Pocket PC or Windows Mobile PDA) are like that of a PDA and have touchscreen
capabilities. The Windows Mobile Standard does not have a touch screen but uses a trackball,
touchpad, rockers, etc.

Symbian is the original smartphone OS, with the richest history and the largest marketshare.
Although no single Symbian device has sold as many units as the iPhone, Nokia and other
manufacturers (currently including Sony Ericsson and Samsung, and previously Motorola)
release a wide variety of Symbian models every year which gives Symbian the greatest
marketshare.

[edit] Channel hogging & file sharing

There will be a hit to file sharing, the normal web surfer would want to look at a new web page
every minute or so at 100kbs you could get your page pretty quickly. Because of the changes to
the security of wireless networks you will not be able to do huge file transfers because the
service providers want to cut down on channel hogging. AT&T claimed that they would ban any
of their users that they caught using "peer-to-peer" (P2P) file sharing applications on their 3G
network. It then became apparent that that would keep any of their users from using their iTunes
programs. The users would then be forced to find a Wi-Fi hotspot in order to be able to
download their music. The limitations of wireless networking will not be cured by 4G, as there
are simply too many fundamental differences between wireless networking and other means of
Internet access. If wireless vendors do not realize these differences and bandwidth limitations,
future wireless customers will find themselves quite disappointed and the market will suffer
quite a setback.

[edit] Future of smartphone

The next generation of smartphones is going to be context-aware, taking advantage of the
growing availability of embedded physical sensors and data exchange capabilities. One of the
main features applying to this is that the phones are going to start keeping track of your personal
data, but adapt to anticipate the information you will need based on your intentions. There are
going to be all new applications coming out with the new phones, one of which is an X-Ray
device that reveals information about any location at which you point your phone. One thing
companies are developing software to take advantage of more accurate location-sensing data.
How they described it was as wanting to make the phone a virtual mouse able to click the real
world. An example of this is where you can point the phones camera while having the live feed
open and it will show text with the building and saving the location of the building for future use.
What is mobile technology and what are the benefits?
Mobile technology is exactly what the name implies - technology that is portable. Examples of
mobile IT devices include:

 laptop and netbook computers

 palmtop computers or personal digital assistants
 mobile phones and 'smart phones'
 global positioning system (GPS) devices
 wireless debit/credit card payment terminals

Mobile devices can be enabled to use a variety of communications technologies such as:

 wireless fidelity (WiFi) - a type of wireless local area network technology

 Bluetooth - connects mobile devices wirelessly
 'third generation' (3G), global system for mobile communications (GSM) and general packet
radio service (GPRS) data services - data networking services for mobile phones
 dial-up services - data networking services using modems and telephone lines
 virtual private networks - secure access to a private network

It is therefore possible to network the mobile device to a home office or the internet while
travelling.

Benefits

Mobile computing can improve the service you offer your customers. For example, when
meeting with customers you could access your customer relationship management system - over
the internet - allowing you to update customer details whilst away from the office. Alternatively,
you can enable customers to pay for services or goods without having to go to the till. For
example, by using a wireless payment terminal diners can pay for their meal without leaving
their table.

More powerful solutions can link you directly into the office network while working off site, for
instance to access your database or accounting systems. For example, you could:

 set up a new customer's account

 check prices and stock availability
 place an order online

This leads to great flexibility in working - for example, enabling home working, or working
while travelling. Increasingly, networking 'hot spots' are being provided in public areas that
allow connection back to the office network or the internet. The growth of cloud computing has
also impacted positively on the use of mobile devices, supporting more flexible working
practices by providing services over the internet. For more information see our guide on cloud
computing.

Drawbacks

There are costs involved in setting up the equipment and training required to make use of mobile
devices. Mobile IT devices can expose valuable data to unauthorised people if the proper
precautions are not taken to ensure that the devices, and the data they can access, are kept safe.
See our guide on securing your wireless systems.

Laptops and PDAs

Handheld computers, or personal digital assistants (PDAs), are devices that run cut-down
versions of 'standard' office software packages. The small size of handhelds can make extended
use inconvenient, but they're ideal for remote access to email, schedules and documents. Some
PDAs can also be used as mobile phones.

Laptop computers and netbooks give you the full functionality of a desktop PC and can handle
the full range of office software.

If you need to access the internet and check emails while travelling, or connect to your office
network, you can connect a laptop or netbook to the internet via a landline, a mobile phone, or
wireless data services. Handheld computers can often be linked to a mobile phone for data
networking - exchanging information with other computers. Wireless-enabled devices can also
be used to connect to the internet, office or email inbox using the wireless 'hot spots' that are
often available in public places such as railway and service stations, eg wireless fidelity networks
(WiFi). Find local hotspots on the Wi-Fi Alliance website - Opens in a new window.

In the office you can connect mobile devices to the network using cables or wireless technology.
Wireless-enabled devices - laptops, PDAs etc - can automatically connect to their 'home' network
when in signal range in order to synchronise data with office databases and file servers so that
data on all devices is up to date.

Uses

Mobile devices can be used for a wide variety of purposes. Key features include immediate
access to data and more flexible ways of doing business. It is often possible to carry out the same
tasks that you would in an office while on the move, as many mobile devices operate the same
software as office PCs.

Examples:

 salespeople can use laptops and handhelds to make presentations, check stock levels, make
quotations, and place online orders while on customer premises
 laptops are ideal for 'hot desking', and other types of flexible working, like homeworking and
working while travelling away from the office
  laptops and handhelds allow users to keep in touch via email while out of the office

Drawbacks

 PDAs that have keyboards can be small and so can be difficult to use. It is possible to get around
this by choosing one with a stylus, which can be quicker than typing or using a touch screen.
 Laptops, netbooks and PDAs have security issues - eg they are easy to steal or lose. When using
mobile devices it is important to ensure that employee's are aware of their responsibilities and
the need to keep both mobile devices and business information secure. See our guide
on keeping your systems and data secure.
 If using public WiFi to access the internet, it may not always be possible to find a secure and
available network for your mobile device. This may prevent you accessing your business
information when you need to.

As with all technology, training can be key to delivering the full benefits.

Mobile phones are a familiar feature of business life. The traditional telephony features of
mobile phones, such as making calls, receiving voicemail, and call diversion, are important to
business users. Mobile phones also offer data transmission services such as:

 global system for mobile communications (GSM) - allows mobile phones to send and receive
data, eg connecting to the internet at a rate similar to a dial-up modem
 general packet radio service (GPRS) - an 'always-on' data service similar to broadband, but at
slower transfer rates
 'third generation' (3G) cellular data services, also offering always-on connection at rates
comparable to broadband from as little as £10 per month

Many mobile handsets are capable of accessing these data services, and include functions such as
email and web access, and simplified office applications. These handsets are often known as
smart phones.

Uses

 A mobile handset can provide network connection for other devices, such as personal digital
assistants (PDAs) and laptops. The handset could connect to the laptop using Bluetooth, a
wireless technology. It could then provide data connection to the laptop using GSM, 3G or GPRS.
However, most new laptops and PDAs have wireless capability built in making this method
redundant.
 'Smart phones' such as BlackBerry phones can combine phone and PDA into a single device. This
is a versatile business tool - handling email, offering diary functions, providing data connection
for a laptop along with conventional mobile phone use.
 Near-universal availability of cellular networks and the established billing systems between
operators, which allow you to use your device outside your service provider's network, make
these services very useful for keeping in contact while travelling.
Drawbacks

 The new data services can be expensive, so it is important to get the right tariff.
 Although improving rapidly, data transmission rates are not as good as wireless local area
networks using wireless fidelity (WiFi). See our guide on wireless technology.
 'Smart phones' can have disadvantages - the keyboard may be small and therefore difficult to
use, and their size also makes them easier to lose or damage.

Mobile networking devices

Mobile IT devices can use almost any wired and wireless networking technologies, as long as
they are enabled to do so, either by in-built capability or via a network adapter. The options
include:

 dial-up networking, via a modem or a mobile phone

 use of the global system for mobile communications (GSM), general packet radio service (GPRS)
and third-generation (3G) services offered by mobile networks
 cable connection to 'wired' local area networks (LANs), at office locations and at public internet
cafes - Ethernet is the most popular wired LAN technology
 'wireless LANs' within office buildings, or offered at public 'hot spots' where internet access is
available such as internet cafes - wireless fidelity (WiFi) is the most popular wireless LAN
technology
 Bluetooth or infra-red connection to another mobile device that offers one or more of the above
connection capabilities
 extranets that can be accessed remotely, allowing mobile staff to use limited areas of your
business' website and data
 use of 'smart phones' such as BlackBerry phones to facilitate instant email access

Uses

Sometimes you don't need networking capability on the move. It might be sufficient to download
and upload the information required at the start and end of the day from the office computer
system.

However, real-time communication with the office can be important in delivering business
benefits, such as efficient use of staff time, improved customer service, and a greater range of
products and services delivered. Examples include:

 making presentations to customers, and being able to download product information to their
network during the visit
 quotations and interactive order processing
 checking stock levels via the office network
 interacting with colleagues while travelling - sending and receiving emails, collaborating on
responses to tenders, delivering trip reports in a timely manner
Disadvantages

There can be issues with maintaining the security of devices and data - for example, these
devices are easy to steal. It is also possible for data to be intercepted using some of these mobile
technologies - such as Bluetooth and infrared. For more information on this see our guide on
securing your wireless systems.

There are also other considerations. Infrared and Bluetooth both have connectivity limitations.
Infrared requires line of sight that will not pass through walls or other obstacles, while Bluetooth
will pass through walls but only up to a range of 100 metres. As a consequence, many phones
and laptops do not have these capabilitie

Managing the use of mobile devices

Do:

 Look at where mobile devices may be of use in your business.

 Look at new opportunities that they may open up for you. For example, the advent of 'pay as
you go' mobile phones has brought opportunities for other retailers to sell top-ups.
 Look at the potential for increased flexibility in the way that you work.
 Ensure that your staff are properly trained to use these devices, and understand the security
issues.
 Draw up an 'acceptable use' policy for your staff so that they are aware of the limits within
which they can operate. Ask employees to sign to confirm that they have understood the policy,
to prevent any misunderstandings. For more information see our guides on handling discipline
and grievance issues and how to introduce an internet and email policy.
 Assign an ID number to each mobile device and keep track of who's using it.
 Ensure that data is secure in the event that a mobile device is stolen.
 Ensure that mobile data is backed up regularly, along with other valuable corporate data.
 Use secure technologies, for example virtual private networks (VPNs), when connecting to your
network from outside locations. For more information see our guide on securing your wireless
systems.
 Use passwords to control access to mobile devices and your business network.
 Check whether mobile devices - and data - are covered by your insurance.
 Consider health and safety issues related to computer use - see our guide on how to ensure your
employees are operating computers safely.
 Include your mobile computers in any software audits and updates.

Don't:

 Allow mobile devices to have free access to all sensitive corporate data, unless strong security
measures (VPNs, authentication and encryption) are in place.
 Leave mobile devices in areas where they can be seen or easily taken.
 Share or leave password information in places where unauthorised users can find it.