Mobile Computing is a technical field that covers the design, development and evaluation of mobile applications using appropriate solutions that meet user requirements. This includes learning the technology that is used to perform a wide variety of tasks on devices that are portable.
Mobile Computing refers a technology that allows transmission of data, voice and video via a computer or any other wireless enabled device. It is free from having a connection with a fixed physical link. It facilitates the users to move from one physical location to another during communication.
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, you can say that 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 wirelessly with the help of wireless devices such as mobiles, laptops etc.
This is only because of 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.
How does mobile computing work?
Mobile computing starts with the actual hardware inside a smartphone. … Traditionally, data was routed through cell towers in a particular provider’s physical network to another user’s phone. With modern mobile computing, data is also often delivered onto the Internet via the provider’s telecom network.
The concept of Mobile Computing can be divided into three parts:
- Mobile Communication
- Mobile Hardware
- Mobile Software
Mobile Communication
Mobile communication specifies a framework that is responsible for the working of mobile computing technology. In this case, mobile communication refers to an infrastructure that ensures seamless and reliable communication among wireless devices. This framework 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.
Mobile communication can be divided in the following four types:
- Fixed and Wired
- Fixed and Wireless
- Mobile and Wired
- Mobile and Wireless
Fixed and Wired: In Fixed and Wired configuration, the devices are fixed at a position, and they are connected through a physical link to communicate with other devices.
For Example, Desktop Computer.
Fixed and Wireless: In Fixed and Wireless configuration, the devices are fixed at a position, and they are connected through a wireless link to make communication with other devices.
For Example, Communication Towers, Wifi router
Mobile and Wired: In Mobile and Wired configuration, some devices are wired, and some are mobile. They altogether make communication with other devices.
For Example, Laptops.
Mobile and Wireless: In Mobile and Wireless 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.
For Example, WiFi Dongle.
Mobile Hardware
Mobile hardware consists of mobile devices or device components that can be used to receive or access the service of mobility. Examples of mobile hardware can be smartphones, laptops, portable PCs, tablet PCs, Personal Digital Assistants, 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.
Mobile Software
Mobile software is a program that runs on mobile hardware. This is designed to deal capably with the characteristics and requirements of mobile applications. This is the operating system for the appliance of mobile devices. In other words, you can say it the heart of the mobile systems. This is an essential component that operates the mobile device.
This provides portability to mobile devices, which ensures wireless communication.
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.
CAREERS AND PROSPECTS IN MOBILE CMPUTING
Information Security Analyst
Information security analysts create systems to protect information networks and websites from cyberattacks and other security breaches. Their responsibilities also include researching trends in data security to anticipate problems and install systems to prevent issues before they occur. Security analysts also need strong problem-solving skills to investigate breaches, determine the causes, and modify or repair security systems.
Software Developer
Software developers create software programs that allow users to perform specific tasks on various devices, such as computers or mobile devices. Software developers must have the technical creativity required to solve problems uniquely. They need to be fluent in computer languages that are used to write the code for programs.
Data Analyst
Data analysis is a fast-growing field and skilled analysts are in high demand across all sectors. You will find many opportunities but you will still need to stand out and demonstrate excellent skills in order to succeed in a career as a data analyst. Data analysts identify areas to increase efficiency and automation of processes, mine and analyse large datasets, draw valid inferences and present them successfully to management using a reporting tool. Data analysts who are also skilled at finding and communicating insights can progress to leadership roles.
Application Developer
Applications developers translate software requirements into workable programming code and maintain and develop programs for use in business.
Advantages and Limitations of Mobile Computing
The mobile computing revolution has doubtlessly been advantageous for the whole world. But there are disadvantages, limitations, and possible risks that mobile computing poses, and it is important to study both the pros and the cons to make the best out of technology.
So here are the advantages and limitations of mobile computing-
Advantages and Limitations of Mobile Computing
Advantages of mobile computing
- Portability
Mobility is the biggest benefit that mobile computing devices offer. With the advent of mobile computing, it became possible for people to carry around computing devices with great capabilities. There is no need to go to a physical location to access the internet or work with a particular software.
- Affordability
With each passing year, mobile computing devices are becoming cheaper and offer more capabilities. Even those who are economically struggling can easily invest in a smartphone. With affordability comes accessibility, and eventually, this would also result in closing the digital divide.
- Data Access
The internet opened up a trove of an incomprehensible amount of data, and mobile computing devices made that data accessible to everyone. Gone are the days when you had to pore over huge books in a library to compile a research paper, or look through phone books, or ask for directions at every street corner.
- Increased Productivity
The above benefits facilitate a great increase in productivity. People can work from their homes at any and all times. They have access to large amounts of information and can teach themselves anything and do anything.
- Entertainment
A lot of us would’ve reached the breaking point during the lockdown periods if it weren’t for Netflix and Amazon Prime. Access to a wide variety of movies, educational and informative content is now simple. Thanks to the availability of relatively inexpensive high-speed data connections, you can live stream anything anywhere.
- Cloud Computing
Advancements in cloud computing have greatly increased the capabilities of mobile computing. The limitations in physical capabilities that mobile computing devices face can be overcome by storing information and accessing applications in the cloud.
Limitations of mobile computing-
- Security
There are several security concerns associated with the increased popularity of mobile computing devices. Keeping a device constantly connected to the internet makes it vulnerable to threats. Cybersecurity concerns like data breaches and unethical practices such as hacking, pirating, and so on, are becoming increasingly difficult to keep in check.
- Issues with Connectivity
Mobile devices need either WiFi connectivity or mobile network connectivity to access most of their capabilities. Most applications don’t function without internet connectivity, and the lack of it makes devices very limited.
- Device Size Limitations
The portability of mobile computing devices demands smaller sizes. And the limitations in size puts limitations on features like processing power, storage, and screen resolution.
- Power Consumption
Rechargeable batteries are always limited by the time it needs before it needs to be plugged in. A possible lack of availability of power sources and charging stations can render mobile computing devices useless.
- Dependency
Because mobile computing devices are lacking in some ways, as mentioned above, increased dependency on them can prove dangerous. Nowadays we always expect to have our smartphone with us to help us solve any problem, and we would be lost if it runs out of juice.
We don’t know our way around without Google maps, can’t do basic math without a calculator, rely on digital payments and don’t carry around cash, and don’t know how to store memories without pictures. No matter how much technology advances, there will be a certain amount of unreliability associated with mobile computing, and it would be good for us to keep that in mind.
Future of Mobile Computing
With high-speed connections probably becoming ubiquitous in the future, the accessibility and popularity of mobile computing will only increase further. With new innovations like Li-fi technolgy you can get internet access through the light of all things.
Newer mobile computing devices are figuring out how to pack high processing power into the smallest of packages. Samsung launched a new line of foldable smartphones recently, which are lightyears ahead of the flip phones of the early 21st century.
Technologies like Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things are also propelling mobile computing forward in new and innovative directions.
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