Mobile Computing:Introduction Part-I

Mobile Computing is a generic term describing the application of small,
portable, and wireless computing and communication devices.
This includes devices like laptops with wireless LAN technology,
mobile phones, wearable computers
and Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) with Bluetooth or IRDA interfaces,
and USB flash drives.

Mobile computing IS wireless computing. This means connectivity with less or zero wires.

notebookInstead of using cables, there are wireless network devices may be installed to access the network as long as there are equipment (like small cell sites) around that can provide wireless network access/services. A student or faculty with a laptop can move from one table to another without worrying about power cables to stay connected. That's mobility!

Some cellular phones are like actual computer units. They may be used to prepare reports, view videos, listen to music, and even control the TV! Amazing, isn't it!?

There are other equipment/devices that we use nowadays that function as regular desktop computer units -- e.g., notebooks, tablet computers (an advanced design of a notebook but really still a notebook), handheld computer or personal digital assistants (PDAs).

tablet pcIn some tablet PCs, one can detach the screen and continue using it like a notepad. The HP tablet shown here is an example of a table PC.

Wireless technologies include wireless devices (e.g., cell phones) and wireless networks (e.g., cellular phone network).

* B = types and different uses of wireless technologies in the University and in education
* C = types and different uses of mobile computing in the University and in education
* B = C = type and difference uses of regular computer, cell phones, PDAs

tablet pc- for e-mail, research, communication, e-learning, report preparation, playing/simulation, program access, watching videos, reading, et al.

The main benefit of using mobile/wireless computing is that a computer could be brought anywhere inside classrooms, conference rooms and yes, even in bedrooms and restrooms, in airports and in malls. What many companies do is issue notebooks to their sales people so they can bring their presentation materials, prepare proposals, and access information anywhere (i.e., with the use of cellphones to access the Internet). The cellphone-notebook set-up is expensive though.

tablet pc monitorSince 2001, "access points" have been installed within the campus. Access points are devices that provide wireless network connection among computer units (i.e., not just the computer units commonly seen).

DLSU is currently purchasing more access points so we can have better coverage. We'll increase the quantity gradually.

Since 2001, we have been lending out network cards in the library, so students and faculty members can borrow them (like a book) and install them in their notebooks and access Internet practically anywhere in the school grounds. Like cell phones, there are blind spots (i.e., the network cannot be accessed because there are no signals). These places are outside the range of the access points. To date, only a small number of students borrow these units as they are not yet aware of this. However, the figures are steadily increasing.

The security of communication via wireless network access is a major concern. Like tools, wireless access devices can be put to bad use. Some wireless network signals can be used to gain unauthorized access to data/information. To hamper this, network traffic needs to be encrypted. Newer versions are capable of this.