Mobile computing

Mobile computing

Mobile computingishumancomputer interactionby which acomputeris expected to be transported during normal usage. Mobile computing involvesmobile communication, mobile hardware, and mobile software. Communication issues include ad hoc and infrastructure networks as well as communication properties,protocols, data formats and concrete technologies. Hardware includesmobile devicesor device components.Mobile softwaredeals with the characteristics and requirements of mobile applications.

Definitions[edit]Mobile Computing is "taking a computer and all necessary files and software out into the field".[1]Mobile computing is any type of computing which use Internet or intranet and respective communications links, as WAN, LAN, WLAN etc. Mobile computers may form awireless personal networkor apiconet.

There are at least three different classes of mobile computing items:

portable computers, compacted lightweight units including a full character set keyboard and primarily intended ashostsfor software that may be parametrized, as laptops, notebooks, notepads, etc.

mobile phonesincluding a restricted key set primarily intended but not restricted to for vocal communications, as cell phones, smart phones, phonepads, etc.

wearable computers, mostly limited to functional keys and primarily intended as incorporation ofsoftware agents, as watches, wristbands, necklaces, keyless implants, etc.

The existence of these classes is expected to be long lasting, and complementary in personal usage, none replacing one the other in all features of convenience..

Devices[edit]Many types of mobile computers have been introduced since the 1990s including the:

Personal digital assistant/enterprise digital assistant Smartphone Tablet computer Ultra-Mobile PC Wearable computerLimitations[edit] Range & Bandwidth: Mobile Internet access is generally slower than direct cable connections, using technologies such asGPRSandEDGE, and more recentlyHSDPAandHSUPA3Gand4Gnetworks. These networks are usually available within range of commercial cell phone towers. Higher speedwireless LANsare inexpensive but have very limited range.

Security standards: When working mobile, one is dependent on public networks, requiring careful use ofVPN. Security is a major concern while concerning the mobile computing standards on the fleet. One can easily attack the VPN through a huge number of networks interconnected through the line.

Power consumption: When a power outlet or portable generator is not available, mobile computers must rely entirely on battery power. Combined with the compact size of many mobile devices, this often means unusually expensive batteries must be used to obtain the necessary battery life.

Transmission interferences: Weather, terrain, and the range from the nearest signal point can all interfere with signal reception. Reception in tunnels, some buildings, and rural areas is often poor.

Potential health hazards: People who use mobile devices while driving are often distracted from driving and are thus assumed more likely to be involved in traffic accidents.[2](While this may seem obvious, there is considerable discussion about whether banning mobile device use while driving reduces accidents or not.[3]

HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_computing" \l "cite_note-4" [4]) Cell phones may interfere with sensitive medical devices. Questions concerningmobile phone radiation and healthhave been raised.

Human interface with device: Screens and keyboards tend to be small, which may make them hard to use. Alternate input methods such as speech or handwriting recognition require training.

Portable computing devices Aportable computeris a general-purpose computer that can be easily moved from place to place, but cannot be used while in transit, usually because it requires some "setting-up" and an AC power source. The most famous example is theOsborne 1. Portable computers are also called a "transportable" or a "luggable" PC.

Atablet computerthat lacks a keyboard (also known as a non-convertible tablet) is shaped like a slate or a paper notebook. Instead a physical keyboard it has atouchscreenwith some combination ofvirtual keyboard, stylus and/orhandwriting recognitionsoftware. Tablets may not be best suited for applications requiring a physical keyboard for typing, but are otherwise capable of carrying out most of the tasks of an ordinary laptop.

Apersonal digital assistant(PDA) is a small, usually pocket-sized, computer with limited functionality. It is intended to supplement and to synchronize with a desktop computer, giving access to contacts, address book, notes, e-mail and other features.

A PDA with a web browser is anInternet tablet, anInternet appliancein tablet form. It does not have as much computing power as a full tablet computer and its applications suite is limited, and it can not replace a general purpose computer. Internet tablets typically feature an MP3 and video player, a web browser, a chat application and a picture viewer.

Anultra mobile PCis a full-featured, PDA-sized computer running a general-purpose operating system.

Asmartphonehas a wide range of features and installable applications.

Acarputeris installed in an automobile. It operates as a wireless computer, sound system, GPS, and DVD player. It also contains word processing software and is bluetooth compatible.[5] AFly Fusion Pentop Computeris a computing device the size and shape of a pen. It functions as a writing utensil, MP3 player, language translator, digital storage device, and calculator.[6]Mobile E-Commerce (M-Commerce)

Definition - What doesMobile E-Commerce (M-Commerce)mean?

Mobile e-commerce (m-commerce) is a term that describes online sales transactions that use wireless electronic devices such as hand-held computers, mobile phones or laptops. These wireless devices interact with computer networks that have the ability to conduct online merchandise purchases. Any type of cash exchange is referred to as an e-commerce transaction. Mobile e-commerce is just one of the many subsets of electronic commerce.

Mobile e-commerce may also be known as mobile commerce.

The phrasemobile commercewas originally coined in 1997 byKevin Duffeyto mean "the delivery of electronic commerce capabilities directly into the consumers hand, anywhere, via wireless technology."[1]Many choose to think of Mobile Commerce as meaning "a retail outlet in your customers pocket."

Products and services availableMobile Money Transfer[edit]In Kenya money transfer is mainly done through the use of mobile phones. This was an initiative of a multimillion shillings company in Kenya. Mobilemoney transfer servicesin Kenya are now provided ag. (M-PESA and ZAP). the oldest has and is now generally used to refer to mobile money transfer services even by other companies other than.

Mobile ATM[edit]With the introduction of mobile money services for the unbanked, operators are now looking for efficient ways to roll out and manage distribution networks that can support cash-in and cash-out. Unlike traditional ATM,sicapMobile ATM have been specially engineered to connect to mobile money platforms and provide bank grade ATM quality. In Hungary, Vodafone allows cash or bank card payments of monthly phone bills.[7]The Hungarian market is one where direct debits are not standard practice, so the facility eases the burden of queuing for the postpaid half of Vodafones subscriber base in Hungary.

Mobile ticketing[edit]Tickets can be sent to mobile phones using a variety of technologies. Users are then able to use their tickets immediately, by presenting their mobile phone at the ticket check. Most number of users are now moving towards this technology. Best example would beIRCTCwhere ticket comes as SMS to users.

Mobile vouchers, coupons and loyalty cards[edit]Mobile ticketing technology can also be used for the distribution of vouchers, coupons, and loyalty cards. These items are represented by a virtual token that is sent to the mobile phone. A customer presenting a mobile phone with one of these tokens at thepoint of salereceives the same benefits as if they had the traditional token. Stores may send coupons to customers usinglocation-based servicesto determine when the customer is nearby.

Content purchase and delivery[edit]Currently, mobile content purchase and delivery mainly consists of the sale of ring-tones, wallpapers, and games for mobile phones. The convergence of mobile phones, portable audio players, and video players into a single device is increasing the purchase and delivery of full-length music tracks and video. The download speeds available with4Gnetworks make it possible to buy a movie on a mobile device in a couple of seconds.[8]Location-based services[edit]Main article:Location-based serviceThe location of the mobile phone user is an important piece of information used during mobile commerce or m-commerce transactions. Knowing the location of the user allows forlocation-based servicessuch as:

Local discount offers

Local weather

Tracking and monitoring of people

Information services[edit]A wide variety of information services can be delivered to mobile phone users in much the same way as it is delivered to PCs. These services include:

News Stock quotes Sports scores

Financial records

Traffic reportingCustomized traffic information, based on a user's actual travel patterns, can be sent to a mobile device. This customized data is more useful than a generic traffic-report broadcast, but was impractical before the invention of modern mobile devices due to thebandwidthrequirements.

Mobile Banking[edit]Main article:Mobile BankingBanks and other financial institutions use mobile commerce to allow their customers to access account information and make transactions, such as purchasing stocks, remitting money. This service is often referred to asMobile Banking, or M-Banking.

Mobile brokerage[edit]Stock market services offered via mobile devices have also become more popular and are known as Mobile Brokerage. They allow the subscriber to react to market developments in a timely fashion and irrespective of their physical location.

Auctions[edit]Over the past three years[when?]mobile reverse auctionsolutions have grown in popularity.[by whom?]Unlike traditional auctions, the reverse auction (or low-bid auction) bills the consumer's phone each time they place a bid. Many mobileSMScommerce solutions rely on a one-time purchase or one-time subscription; however, reverse auctions offer a high return for the mobile vendor as they require the consumer to make multiple transactions over a long period of time.

Mobile browsing[edit]Main article:Mobile browserUsing a mobile browseraWorld Wide Webbrowser on a mobile devicecustomers can shop online without having to be at their personal computer.

Mobile purchase[edit]Catalog merchantscan accept orders from customers electronically, via the customer's mobile device. In some cases, the merchant may even deliver the catalog electronically, rather than mailing a paper catalog to the customer. Some merchants providemobile websitesthat are customized for the smaller screen and limited user interface of a mobile device.

In-application mobile phone payments[edit]Payments can be made directly inside of an application running on a popular smartphone operating system, such as Google Android. Analyst firm Gartner expects in-application purchases to drive 41 percent of app store (also referred to as mobile software distribution platforms) revenue in 2016.[9]In-app purchases can be used to buyvirtual goods, new and other mobile content and is ultimately billed by mobile carriers rather than the app stores themselves.[10]Ericssons IPX mobile commerce system is used by 120 mobile carriers to offer payment options such as try-before-you-buy, rentals and subscriptions.[11]Mobile marketing and advertising[edit]Main article:Mobile marketingIn the context of mobile commerce,mobile marketingrefers to marketing sent to mobile devices. Companies have reported that they see better response from mobile marketing campaigns than from traditional campaigns. The primary reason for this is the instant nature of customer decision-making that mobile apps and websites enable. The consumer can receive a marketing message or discount coupon and, within a few seconds, make a decision to buy and go on to complete the sale - without disrupting their current real-world activity.

For example, a busy mom tending to her household chores with a baby in her arm could receive a marketing message on her mobile about baby products from a local store. She can and within a few clicks, place an order for her supplies without having to plan ahead for it. No more need to reach for her purse and hunt for credit cards, no need to log into her laptop and try to recall the web address of the store she visited last week, and surely no need to find a babysitter to cover for her while she runs to the local store.

Research demonstrates that consumers of mobile and wireline markets represent two distinct groups who are driven by different values and behaviors, and who exhibit dissimilar psychographic and demographic profiles.[12]What aspects truly distinguish between a traditional online shopper from home and a mobile on-the-go shopper? Research shows that how individuals relate to four situational dimensions- place, time, social context and control determine to what extent they are ubiquitous or situated as consumers.[13]These factors are important in triggering m-commerce from e-commerce. As a result, successful mobile commerce requires the development of marketing campaigns targeted to these particular dimensions and according user segments.