Chapter one

Introduction to Mobile Computing

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Introduction to Mobile Computing
• Mobile Computing is a technology that provides an environment that
enables users to transmit data from one device to another device
without the use of any physical link or cables.
• In other words, mobile computing allows transmission of data, voice
and video via a computer or any other wireless-enabled device
without being connected to a fixed physical link. In this technology,
data transmission is done through wireless devices such as mobiles,
laptops etc.
• Mobile Computing technology that you can access and transmit data
from any remote locations without being present there physically.
• Mobile computing technology provides a vast coverage diameter for
communication. It is one of the fastest and most reliable sectors of
the computing technology field.
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• The concept of Mobile Computing can be divided into three parts:
 Mobile Communication
 Mobile Hardware
 Mobile Software
• Mobile Communication specifies a framework that is responsible for the
working of mobile computing technology.
• It refers to an infrastructure that ensures seamless and reliable
communication among wireless devices. It ensures the consistency and
reliability of communication between wireless devices.
• The mobile communication framework consists of communication
devices such as protocols, services, bandwidth, and portals necessary
to facilitate and support the stated services. These devices are
responsible for delivering a smooth communication process.

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• Mobile communication can be divided in the following four types
 Fixed and Wired
 Fixed and Wireless
 Mobile and Wired
 Mobile and Wireless

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• Fixed and Wired:- In this configuration, the devices are fixed at a position,
and they are connected through a physical link to communicate with other
devices.
Example Desktop Computer.
• Fixed and Wireless:- In this configuration, the devices are fixed at a
position, and they are connected through a wireless link to make
communication with other devices.
Example Communication Towers
• Mobile and Wired:- In this configuration, some devices are wired, and
some are mobile. They altogether make communication with other
devices.
Example Laptops
• Mobile and Wireless:- In this configuration, the devices can communicate
with each other irrespective of their position. They can also connect to any
network without the use of any wired device.
Example WiFi Dongle.
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 Mobile Hardware
• It consists of mobile devices or device components that can be used
to receive or access the service of mobility. Examples includes
smartphones, laptops, portable PCs, tablet PCs, PDAs, etc.
• These devices are inbuilt with a receptor medium that can send and
receive signals. These devices are capable of operating in full-duplex.
It means they can send and receive signals at the same time. They
don't have to wait until one device has finished communicating for
the other device to initiate communications.

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 Mobile Software
• It is a program that runs on mobile hardware. it is designed to deal
capably with the characteristics and requirements of mobile
applications.
• It is the operating system for the appliance of mobile devices. In other
words, you can say it the heart of the mobile systems.
• It provides portability to mobile devices, which ensures wireless
communication.

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 Applications of Mobile Computing
• Following is a list of some significant fields in which mobile computing
is generally applied:
 Web or Internet access.
 Global Position System (GPS).
 Emergency services.
 Entertainment services.
 Educational services.

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 Devices used in Mobile Computing
• portable computer is a computer that is designed in a way that you
can move it from one place to another. It includes a display and a
keyboard. Generally, portable computers are microcomputers.

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• Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) is also known as a palmtop computer.
Sometimes, it is also called Enterprise Digital Assistant (EDA). It is a
mobile device used to function as a personal information manager or
a personal data assistant. Its name was evolved from Personal
Desktop Assistant, a software term for an application that prompts
the user of a computer with suggestions or provides a quick reference
to contacts and other lists.

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• laptop is a small, portable personal computer (PC) built in a foldable
device. The flip or clamshell is a form factor of a mobile phone or
other devices that include two or more folded sections via a hinge.
• Laptops are easy to carry for transportation, and that's why they are
best suitable for mobile use.

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• smartphone is a mobile device that combines cellular and mobile
computing functions into one unit. The smartphones are invented to
provide more advanced computing capability and connectivity than
basic feature phones.
• Smartphones are different from basic feature phones by their more
robust hardware capabilities and extensive mobile operating systems,
which facilitate more comprehensive software, web browsing over
mobile broadband, and multimedia functionality along with the core
phone functions such as voice calls and text messaging.

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• tablet computer is generally known as a tablet. It is a mobile
computer with a mobile operating system and a touch-screen display
processing circuit, and a rechargeable battery in a single, thin and flat
unit. Tablets can do what other personal computers can do, but they
don't have some input/output (I/O) abilities that computers have.
Nowadays, tablets are very much similar to modern smartphones.
The only difference is that tablets are relatively larger than
smartphones.

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• Wearable computers are a type of computer that can be worn by the
bearer under, with or on top of clothing. They are also known as
body-borne computers or wearables, which are small electronic
devices. Some examples of wearable computers are smartwatches,
digital fitness bands etc.

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 Issues occurred in Mobile Computing.
• There is a lot of advantage of using Mobile computing technology. It provides vast
features from mobility to portability and from cloud to productivity. But, along with
these advantages, you can face specific eye-catching issues while using it.
1. Costly due to Wireless Medium
• The Mobile computing technology mainly focuses on wireless infrastructure, so the
cost of implementation is always high. It also faces issues like efficiency, delays and
security.
2. Issue due to Device Mobility
• It is one of the most significant advantages of mobile computing technology. But, it
is one of its major issues too. To obtain the device mobility feature of mobile
computing technology, we have to install the highest standards' types of
equipment.
• We have to configure the device mobility feature according to the location,
environment and surroundings of a mobile device regularly.
3. Security Issues in Mobile Computing
• This is undoubtedly the biggest and one of the most discussed issues we face in
mobile computing technology. It arises due to the shared medium ability of mobile
computing.
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Mobile Operating System
• A mobile operating system is an operating system that helps to run other
application software on mobile devices. It is the same kind of software as
the famous computer operating systems like Linux and Windows, but now
they are light and simple to some extent.
• The operating systems found on smartphones include Symbian OS, iPhone
OS, RIM's BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, Palm WebOS, Android, and
Maemo. Android, WebOS, and Maemo are all derived from Linux . The
iPhone OS originated from BSD and NeXTSTEP, which are related to Unix.
• It combines the beauty of computer and hand use devices. It typically
contains a cellular built-in modem and SIM tray for telephony and internet
connections. If you buy a mobile, the manufacturer company chooses the
OS for that specific device.
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 Popular Mobile OS
• Android OS:- it is 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.
• Bada (Samsung Electronics):- it is a Samsung mobile operating system that was
launched in 2010. The Samsung wave was the first mobile to use the bada
operating system. It offers many mobile features, such as 3-D graphics,
application installation, and multipoint-touch.
• BlackBerry OS:- The BlackBerry operating system is a mobile operating system
developed by Research In Motion (RIM). it was designed specifically for
BlackBerry handheld devices. This operating system is beneficial for the corporate
users because it provides synchronization with Microsoft Exchange, Novell
GroupWise email, Lotus Domino, and other business software when used with
the BlackBerry Enterprise Server.
• iPhone OS / iOS:- The iOS was 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.

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• Symbian OS:- It is a mobile operating system that provides a high-level of
integration with communication. It is based on the java language. It combines
middleware of wireless communications and personal information management
(PIM) functionality. The Symbian operating system was developed by Symbian Ltd
in 1998 for the use of mobile phones. Nokia was the first company to release
Symbian OS on its mobile phone at that time.
• Windows Mobile OS:- it is a mobile operating system that was developed by
Microsoft. It was designed for the pocket PCs and smart mobiles.
• Harmony OS:- The harmony operating system 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:- The palm operating system is a mobile operating system that was
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 :- It is a mobile operating system that was developed by Palm. It based on
the Linux Kernel. The HP uses this operating system in its mobile and touchpads.

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mobile operating system market shares

Source: Statcounter, available at http://gs.statcounter.com/os-market-

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Android versions

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Thank you

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