1.5 Mobile Computing and its Application

Mobile Computing

Mobile computing is a generic term describing one’s ability to use technology while moving, as  opposed to portable which are only practical for use while deployed in a stationary configuration. In other words, a technology that allows transmission of data via a computer, without having to be connected to a fixed physical link is mobile computing. Many types of mobile computers have been introduced since the 1990s, including a wearable computer, PDA, enterprise digital assistant, smart phone, UMPC(Ultra mobile PC), Tablet PC.

Features of Mobile Computing device are: 

It is a portable device that can be used during mobility. 

It has limited processing and storage capability. 

It includes mobile communication, mobile hardware, and mobile software. 

It usually contains a touch screen for providing input. It contains an on-screen or virtual keyboard for proving text inputs. However, an external keyboard can be connected by using the USB port, infrared, or Bluetooth. 

It contains a camera, speaker, and microphone. 

It contains handwriting recognizing software. 

Most of the mobile computing devices contain a memory card slot to expand the storage capacity. 

It has wireless connectivity such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi to connect the Internet or with other computing devices as well as a wired connection through the USB port.

The most mobile computing device can synchronize their data with applications on users computers. 

It can be used for cloud computing and remote access. 

It uses a mobile computing operating system such as Android, iOS, Windows Mobile OS, Palm OS. 

It can include GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver for navigation.

Advantages of Mobile Computing 

Advantages of mobile technology are: 

It enables users to work from any location at any time. 

It saves time for accessing data and information. 

It helps to increase the productivity of users reducing the time and cost. 

It has made research easier. 

It is one of the major handheld sources of entertainment of users at present.

Nowadays, Business processes are easily available through secured mobile connections. 

It is portable. 

It supports cloud computing. 

It provides remote access to the organizational data from any location. 

It is an independent platform. It can be accessed from any hardware or software. 

Disadvantages of Mobile Technology 

Disadvantages of mobile technology are as follows: 

Mobile technology requires faster and quality connectivity services that need either Wi-Fi or GPRS or 3G or 4G connectivity. 

It has security concerns, most wireless connectivity is unsafe. 

Large power consumption due to the use of batteries continuously and they do not tend to last long.

The danger of misrepresentation i.e. credential verification is a problem.

 Extensive use of mobile devices results in health problems.