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.
Mobile Computing is the use of portable computing devices (such as laptop and
handheld computers) in conjunction with mobile communications technologies to
enable users to access the Internet and data on their home or work computers from
anywhere in the world.
It is the process of computation on a mobile device. In mobile computing, a set of
distributed computing systems or service provider servers participate, connect, and
synchronise through mobile communication protocols.
Mobile computing is a generic term describing ability to use the technology to
wirelessly connect to and use centrally located information and/or application
software through the application of small, portable, and wireless computing and
communication devices. It provides decentralized (distributed) computations on
diversified devices, systems, and networks, which are mobile, synchronized, and
interconnected via mobile communication standards and protocols. Mobile device
does not restrict itself to just one application, such as, voice communication.
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.

Mobile Hardware
Mobile hardware includes mobile devices or device components that receive or
access the service of mobility. They would range from portable laptops, smart
phones, 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. Above mentioned devices use an existing
and established network to operate on. In most cases, it would be a wireless
network.

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, 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.

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 smart phones, 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.
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 smart phones 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 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.
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, 5G network services.
 The essence of mobile computing is to be able to work from any location.
The use of iPads, tablets, smart phones, 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. 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.
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.
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.

Disadvantages of Mobile Computing

Quality of Connectivity
One of the disadvantages is that the mobile devices will need either WiFi
connectivity or mobile network connectivity such as GPRS, 3G and in some
countries even 4G connectivity that is why this is a disadvantage because if you
are not near any of these connections your access to the internet is very limited.
Security Concerns
Mobile VPNs are unsafe to connect to, and also syncing devices might
also lead to security concerns. accessing a WiFi network can also be risky
because WPA and WEP security can be bypassed easily.
 Power Consumption
Due to the use of batteries in these devices, these do not tend to last long,
if in a situation where there is no source of power for charging then that will
certainly be a let down.

MOBILE COMPUTING Vs WIRELESS NETWORKING

The terms "mobile" and "wireless" are often used interchangeably but in
reality, they are two very different concepts applied to modern computing and
technology.
Mobile is a word that is commonly used to describe portable devices. A mobile
device is one that is made to be taken anywhere. Therefore, it needs an internal
battery for power, and must be connected to a modern mobile network that can
help it to send and receive data without attaching to a hardware infrastructure.
Wireless, on the other hand, does not mean mobile. Traditional computers or other
non-mobile devices can access wireless networks. One very common example is
the use of a localized browser product in a local area network (LAN), where the
router takes what used to be a cabled interaction and makes it wireless. Other kinds
of wireless networks, WAN (Wide Area Networks), can even use
components of 3G or 4G wireless systems made specifically for mobile devices,
but that doesn‘t mean that the devices on these networks are mobile. They may still
be plugged in or require proximity to a router or network node.
Mobile and wireless systems really accomplish two very different things. While a
wireless system provides a fixed or portable endpoint with access to a distributed
network, a mobile system offers all of the resources of that distributed network to
something that can go anywhere, barring any issues with local reception or
technical area coverage.
For another example of the difference between mobile and wireless, think of
businesses that offer Wi-Fi hotspots. A Wi-Fi hotspot is typically a resource for
someone who has a relatively fixed device, such as a laptop computer that doesn‘t
have its own internal Internet access built in. By contrast, mobile devices already
have inherent access to the Internet or other wireless systems through those cell
tower networks that ISPs and telecom companies built specifically for them. So
mobile devices don‘t need Wi-Fi - they already have their connections.
To some who are used to using both wireless and mobile networks, this distinction
may seem very simple. However, the difference between providing mobile and
wireless is likely to be something that gets explored more as new technologies
continue to develop, and companies continue to offer more different kinds of
interfaces to consumers.
Mobile is subgroup from wireless. We have wireless systems that are not mobile
and we have technologies which are wireless but not mobile in sense of
technologies deployed in mobile operators networks. We have fixed wireless (e.g.
fixed WiMAX) and e.g. TETRA which is not technology deployed in mobile
(operators) networks.
In communication engineering, wireless communication, (both Static and
Dynamic), is communication between Nodes/system without use of direct physical
connection rather it is through a non conducting or dielectric media. Where as in
mobile communication, communicating nodes moves within specified area and
method of communication is wireless communication suitably..e.g.-Mobile Ad-hoc
networks (MANETs).
Wireless Communication in itself is a very broad concept that is achieved using
various inter-related technologies. Mobile Communication utilizes some of the
technologies that are made available / possible by Wireless Communication. Some
of the popular wireless technologies employed in Mobile Communication include:
GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), LTE (Long Term Evolution), HSPA (High
Speed Packet Access), GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication), EDGE
(Enhanced Data GSM Environment), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) and
its variants, etc.
Wireless refers to the method of transferring information between a computing
device, such as a personal data assistant (PDA), and a data source, such as an
agency database server, without a physical connection. However, not all wireless
communications technologies are created equally, offer the same uses or are even
mobile.
Mobile computing refers to computing devices that are not restricted to a desktop.
A mobile device may be a PDA, a smart phone or a web phone, a laptop computer,
or any one of numerous other devices that allow the user to complete tasks without
being tethered, or connected, to a network. Mobile computing does not necessarily
require wireless communication. In fact, it may not require communication
between devices at all.
Wireless communication is simply data communication without the use of a
landline. This may involve a cellular telephone, a two way radio, a fixed wireless
connection, a laser, or satellite communications. Here the computing device is
continuously connected to the base network.
Mobile computing essentially refers to a device that is not always connected to a
central network. This group of devices includes laptops, newly created smart
phones and also PDA's. These products may communicate with a base location,
with or without, a wireless connection

“Review Questions”
1. List out the differences between Mobile Computing and Wireless Networking.
2. Define the term ―Wireless Networkingǁ.

SOME MOBILE COMPUTING APPLICATIONS

For Estate Agents

Estate agents can work either at home or out in the field. With mobile
computers they can be more productive. They can obtain current real estate
information by accessing multiple listing services, which they can do from
home, office or car when out with clients. They can provide clients with
immediate feedback regarding specific homes or neighborhoods, and with faster
loan approvals, since applications can be submitted on the spot. Therefore,
mobile computers allow them to devote more time to clients.

Emergency Services
Ability to receive information on the move is vital where the emergency services
are involved. Information regarding the address, type and other details of an
incident can be dispatched quickly, via a CDPD (Cellular Digital Packet Data),
system using mobile computers, to one or several appropriate mobile units which
are in the vicinity of the incident. Here the reliability and security implemented in
the CDPD system would be of great advantage.
 In Courts
Defense counsels can take mobile computers in court. When the opposing counsel
references a case which they are not familiar, they can use the computer to get
direct, real-time access to on-line legal database services, where they can gather
information on the case and related precedents. Therefore mobile computers allow
immediate access to a wealth of information, making people better informed and
prepared.

In Companies
Managers can use mobile computers in, say, critical presentations to major
customers. They can access the latest market share information. At a small recess,
they can revise the presentation to take advantage of this information. They can
communicate with the office about possible new offers and call meetings for
discussing responds to the new proposals. Therefore, mobile computers can
leverage competitive advantages.

Stock Information Collation/Control

In environments where access to stock is very limited i.e.: Factory
Warehouses. The use of small portable electronic databases accessed via a mobile
computer would be ideal. Data collated could be directly written to a central
database, via a CDPD network, which holds all stock information hence the need
for transfer of data to the central computer at a later date is not necessary. This
ensures that from the time that a stock count is completed, there is no inconsistency
between the data input on the portable computers and the central database.

Credit Card Verification

At Point of Sale (POS) terminals in shops and supermarkets, when
customers use credit cards for transactions, the intercommunication required
between the bank central computer and the POS terminal, in order to effect
verification of the card usage, can take place quickly and securely over cellular
channels using a mobile computer unit. This can speed up the transaction process
and relieve congestion at the POS terminals.
Taxi/Truck Dispatch
Using the idea of a centrally controlled dispatcher with several mobile units (taxis),
mobile computing allows the taxis to be given full details of the dispatched job as
well as allowing the taxis to communicate information about their whereabouts
back to the central dispatch office. This system is also extremely useful in secure
deliveries ie: Securicor. This allows a central computer to be able to track and
receive status information from all of its mobile secure delivery vans. Again, the
security and reliability properties of the CDPD system shine through.

Electronic Mail
Usage of a mobile unit to send and read emails is a very useful asset for
any business individual, as it allows him/her to keep in touch with any
colleagues as well as any urgent developments that may affect their work.
Access to the Internet, using mobile computing technology, allows the
individual to have vast arrays of knowledge at his/her fingertips. Paging is also
achievable here, giving even more intercommunication capability between
individuals, using a single mobile computer device.

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