Mobile

Computing
What is Mobile Computing?
Mobile Computing is a technology that allows transmission of data, voice and video via a computer
or any other wireless enabled device without having to be connected to a fixed physical link.
This includes learning the technology that is used to perform a wide variety of tasks on devices
that are portable. Portable devices include Smart Phones, Tablets, Laptops, wearable devices,
vehicles etc.
History and Evolution of Mobile Computing

In 1894, Marconi done experiment along with Hertzian rays and identify the waves over very long distance. Then

developed the first wireless telegraph company. Mobile computing began with the first laptops developed in 1980, and from

there, rapidly grew in capability with the 640*640 portable laptops from Apple in 1990, the development of the first PDA in

1993, the first smartphone from IBM released in 1994, network connectivity enabled smartphones in 2000, the first iPhone

released in 2007, and the first android smartphone in 2009.

1980 – Developed first consumer Laptop. 1993 – Developed first PDA by Apple
1981 – Developed portable Computer by Epson. 2007 – Launched first iPhone along with touch screen
1984 – First touch screen laptop was developed. 2009 – Launched first smart phone with Android.
1990 – New portable laptop released by Apple with640*640 display screen. 2011 – Start evolution of Mobile Computing.
1992 – Released standard Windows 3.1.1 Operating System
Features of Mobile Computing
 Easy to handle and carry these small devices.
 Data can be transferred easily between users.
 Collect simulated data to current zone or your time.
 Arbitrary network, easily connect to other environment and transmit data.
 Having fast processor speed.
 Good battery life.
 Huge memory capacity.
 Bar code scanner
 Windows Operating System
 Camera
 Global positioning system.
 Durability
Major Elements of
Mobile Computing

 Mobile communication

 Mobile hardware

 Mobile software
Mobile Communication
This refers to the communication infrastructure set in
place, including wireless network infrastructure, protocols,
data formats, bandwidths, and portals necessary to ensure
seamless connectivity and communication. This ensures that
there is no collision with other existing systems which offer
the same service.

Since the media is unguided/unbounded, the overlaying

infrastructure is basically radio wave-oriented. That is, the
signals are carried over the air to intended devices that are
capable of receiving and sending similar kinds of signals.
Mobile Hardware
The hardware is the mobile computing devices and
supporting devices, with the capabilities required to perform
their required operations and connect to networks. They
would range from portable laptops, smartphones, tablet Pc's,
Personal Digital Assistants.

These devices will have a receptor medium that is capable

of sensing and receiving signals. These devices are configured
to operate in full- duplex, whereby they are capable of
sending and receiving 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
The most important software component is the operating
system, which is the brain of any computing system. For a
laptop, this may be Windows, Linux or macOS, and for a
smartphone, it may be Android or iOS. The different
applications running on a device are also part of the mobile
software.

Since portability is the main factor, this type of computing

ensures that users are not tied or pinned to a single physical
location but are able to operate from anywhere. It
incorporates all aspects of wireless communications.
Mobile Computing Devices
Usually, a mobile computing device would have a body-
made of metal or plastic, a RAM, a CPU, a hard drive, a
motherboard, a keyboard and a mouse- which could be
separate components in the body or touch-based, a screen, a
video card, an operating system, software applications, and
finally, a network connection.

This is around the same as the components of a personal

computer, which isn't a mobile device. But mobile devices
may have other components too, to make them portable, and
certain characteristics that make them different-
o Size: The portability of mobile devices demand a smaller size. Reduction in size without reducing capabilities have also
always been a challenge when developing mobile devices.
o Power Source: Mobile devices are usually powered by rechargeable batteries. Improving the battery life of mobile devices
is another significant area of research.
o Operating System: Laptops run on more or less the same OS as PCs, but for smartphones and other devices, the OS is
significantly different. They are powerful but scaled-down and made specifically for particular devices.
o Connectivity: Mobile computing devices have capabilities that allow access to the internet. Also, mobile devices like
smartphones have access to mobile broadband networks that allow you to make and receive phone calls.
o Applications: Applications meant for mobile devices are specifically designed for running on a particular OS. These
applications are what extends the capabilities of devices beyond just connecting to the internet or making calls.

Other features generally found in mobile computing devices include GPS capability, accelerometer, compass, microphone,
camera, and so on.
 Mobile Computing Classifications
Mobile computing is not only limited to mobile phones, but there are various gadgets available in the market that are built
on a platform to support mobile computing. They are usually classified in the following categories −

o Personal Digital Assistant (PDA): PDA is an extension of the PC, not a replacement. These
systems are capable of sharing information with a computer system through a process or
service known as synchronization. Both devices will access each other to check for changes
or updates in the individual devices. The use of infrared and Bluetooth connections enables
these devices to always be synchronized.

o Smartphones: Smartphones have the capability to run multiple programs concurrently. These phones include high-
resolution touch screens, web browsers that can access and properly display standard web pages rather than just
mobile-optimized sites, and high-speed data access via Wi-Fi and high-speed cellular broadband.
o Tablet PC and iPads: Tablets have touchscreens and virtual keyboards and are often thought of as an intermediary
between a laptop and a smartphone. They have better processing power, functionality, and screen resolution than
smartphones. Some models may also have a stylus meant for navigating the touch screen better.

o Wearable: A more recent addition, wearable computers like smartwatches offer limited features similar to a smartphone
within a watch.

o E-reader: E-readers are devices that are similar to tablets, but their main purpose is to read
digital documents.

o Other devices include scanners, carputers, handheld gaming consoles, advanced digital cameras, smart speakers, and so
on.
Advantages
and Limitation
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.
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 technology, 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.
Conclusion
 References
• https://www.tutorialspoint.com/mobile_computing/mobile_computing_quick_guide.
htm
• https://www.analyticssteps.com/blogs/introduction-mobile-computing
• https://digitalthinkerhelp.com/what-is-mobile-computing-advantages-disadvantages-a
pplications/
• https://university.taylors.edu.my/en/study/undergraduate-specialisation/computing-e
ngineering/mobile-computing.html
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iaIQROGwZw&t=230s
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGm9r2XpnaI
Thank you for
listening!