Chapter 2

Mobile computing
 Computing?
The activity of performing computations.
OR
Computing can also be defined as the activity of using
computer hardware and software for some purpose .
 Mobile Computing

 Mobile
 Able to move freely.
 usually Wireless is need to move freely .
 Computing
 The activity of performing computations.
 A simple answer
• Performing computation in mobile units
 Mobile Computing…

• Using:
– small size portable computers, hand-held and other
small wearable devices,
• To run stand-alone applications (or access remote
applications) via wireless networks: IR,
Bluetooth, W-LANs, Cellular, W-Packet Data
networks, SAT. etc.
• By:
– nomadic or mobile users (agents, trains, cars, cell
phones, ….)
 Mobile Computing…
 Three basic components
 Networks: communication
 Devices and computing units :mobile
 Applications : Computation
 Mobile Devices

• A mobile device handheld device, handheld

computer) is a pocket-sized computing device,
typically having a display screen with touch input or
a miniature keyboard.

• Due to the rapid advancement of the technology its

hard to make a specific classifications of mobile
devices.
 Different types of mobile devices
• Laptop
– Notebook
– Netbook
– Ultra-Mobile PC
• Communication devices
– pager
– Smartphone
– PDA &Pocket PC
– cell phone
– Cordless phone
• Tablet PC
• E-book readers
 Mobile devices…

• Laptop in general
– is a small personal computer designed for
portability.
– Usually all of the interface hardware(ports,
graphics card, sound channel, etc.,) are built in to
a single unit.
– Contain batteries that can power the device for
some periods of time.
 Laptop…
• Notebook
• Computing power (high )
– heavy multi-tasking loads e.g. creating and editing
HD video or computer aided engineering SWs.
– contain high capacity batteries.
 Laptop…

Netbook
• Computing power (low )
– Used for basic applications. E.g. Office
applications
– Longer battery life.
– Web surfing
– Checking email
– Web application
 Communication devices…

• Pager
• Beeper
– because of the sound it made
• Voice Tone Pagers
– Recorded Voice message.
• Numeric Pagers
– can display up to twenty digits at a time.
• Alphanumeric Pagers
– modified versions of numeric pagers with
sophisticated display to accommodate text
 Communication devices…
• Two-way Alphanumeric pagers
– are alphanumeric pagers capable of both
sending & receiving text messages.
• Still used in
• emergency services .fire & police stations.
• large hospital complex, where cellular coverage is
often weak or nonexistent
• Fancy Restaurant( waiting staff )
 Communication devices…
Mobile phone/cell phone
• Provides
– voice communications,
– Short Message Service (SMS),
– Multimedia Message Service (MMS),
• newer phones also provide
– Internet services
• Web browsing, instant messaging capabilities &
• e-mail.
 Communication devices…
PDA: Personal Digital Assistant
– designed primarily to provide the functionality of
maintaining appointments, tasks, contacts, etc.
– usually pen-based,(use a stylus rather than a keyboard
for input)
• Today PDAs function as a
– cellular phone, fax sender, Web browser and personal
organizer.
• Traditional PDAs have not had phone or fax
services
Smart Phones
 Communication devices…
Smart phone
• traditional PDA + cellular phone
– combines standard phone features,
such as making and receiving phone calls,
with computer functionality.
• Incorporates
– Wi-Fi access, email, calendars and
– GPS
• let you store information & install programs
 Smart phone Functionality
• Voice calls (of course), Video calls
• Local File Storage
• Internet/Cloud Services
• Office Computing
• eBook Reader
• Multimedia Player
• Digital Audio/Video Recorder
• Location Based Services
 Communication devices…
• Cordless telephone
is a telephone with a wireless
handset that communicates
via radio wave with base station
connected to a fixed telephone line
 Mobile devices…
Tablet PC
– portable personal computer equipped with a touch
screen as a primary input device and designed to
be operated and owned by an individual.
– use virtual keyboards and handwriting
recognition for text input through the touch screen.
– Tablet PCs also can be connected to a full-size
keyboard and monitor
 Tablet PC…
• advantage
– Great mobility
– Save money
• stationer costs stays in your pocket
– digital ink
• record your handwriting and drawings
 Mobile operating system
• Is software that allows smartphones, tablets and
other devices to run applications and programs.
• A mobile OS provides an interface between the
device's hardware components and its software
functions.
• It typically starts when a device powers on,
presenting a screen with icons or tiles that show
information and provide application access.
• Mobile operating systems also manage cellular and
wireless network connectivity and phone access.
 Mobile Operating Systems
• Android OS
– The most popular operating system today.
– It is a mobile OS based on the Linux Kernel and
open-source software.
– The android operating system was developed by
Google. The first Android device was launched in
2008.
 Mobile Operating Systems
• iPhone OS / iOS: Developed by the Apple inc for the
use on its device.
– The iOS operating system is the most popular operating
system today.
– It is a very secure operating system.
– The iOS operating system is not available for any other
mobiles.
• BlackBerry OS: Developed by Research In Motion
(RIM).
– This operating system was designed specifically for
BlackBerry handheld devices.
 Mobile Operating Systems
• Windows Mobile OS
– Developed by Microsoft.
– It was designed for the pocket PCs and smart mobiles.
• Harmony OS
– Is the latest mobile operating system that was developed by Huawei
for the use of its devices.
– It is designed primarily for IoT devices.
• Palm OS:
– Developed by Palm Ltd for use on personal digital assistants
(PADs).
– It was introduced in 1996. Palm OS is also known as the Garnet
OS.
• WebOS (Palm/HP):
– It based on the Linux Kernel. The HP uses this operating system in
its mobile and touchpads.
Mobile Computing Issues and Challenges
• Hardware Challenges
– Limited Battery Life and Power Management
– Small Form Factor and Limited Processing Power
– Compatibility Issues with Different Devices
• Software Challenges
– Security Concerns and Data Protection
– Network Connectivity Issues
– Application Development for Different Platforms
– Small Screen Size and Touch Screen Limitations
– Limited Input Options such as Keyboard or Mouse
• Mobile Network Infrastructure Challenges
– Network Coverage and Reliability Issues
– Data Transmission Speed Limitations
– Network Congestion During Peak Usage Times
 Mobile computing application

• Transport
– position and tracking via GPS
– prevent accidents, navigation system.
– Tourist navigation

• Emergencies/ Disaster relief

– early transmission of patient data to the hospital,
current status, first diagnosis.
– earthquakes, hurricanes, fire etc.
 Mobile computing application…
• Business
– M-Commerce: mobile E-commerce /shopping …
– M-Banking: offer mobile access to financial and account
information.
– Advertising: using SMS is becoming very popular in our
country.
– Traveling salesperson
• Entertainment, education
– outdoor Internet access
– multi user games
– M-learning : E-learning
 Mobile computing application…
• Location aware
– find services in the local environment, e.g. printer
– nearest cash ATM/ shop / restaurant/hotel
• Web access & Communication
– outdoor Internet access
– Electronic Mail
– Chatting
• Application Services in general
– push: e.g., breaking news info
– pull: e.g., nearest cash ATM