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Mobile, portable and location-aware applications

20 January, 2016 - 15:30

The Internet platform combined with wireless technology enables a new class of mobile, portable and location- based applications. In many parts of the world, it is now possible to connect to the Internet while outside the home or office. The connection may be fully mobile, for example, while walking or moving in a car, or portable, for example, using a laptop computer in an airport.

Today, we make these connections using the cellular telephone network or a WiFi access point. 1 The cellular networks are large, generally national enterprises, while WiFi networks are decentralized. They may be as small as a single access point in a café or hotel lobby or as large as a municipal network covering a city. WiMAX, a third wireless technology for Internet access, is partially standardized and may become important in the future.

Both WiFi and cellular networks are growing rapidly. Third generation cellular networks, which are fast enough for many Internet applications, are being deployed in many cities and developed nations. WiFi networks are being deployed by large and small entrepreneurs and, increasingly, by cities. 2 Unless heavily congested, Wifi access is generally faster than third generation cellular access. Some devices can connect to either cellular or WiFi networks, automatically choosing WiFi if it is available. 3

Laptop computers are generally used for portable access, but they are too large and consume too much power for mobile applications. There are competing designs or form factors for mobile access. Some devices are ultra-mobile PCs like the Microsoft Oragami shown below. 4 Others are fairly standard looking cell phones.

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Figure 7.14 Microsoft's Oragami 
 

Between these extremes, we see devices like the Apple iPhone, shown below. These smartphones combine telephony, Internet access, music and video play, and contact and address books in one device. The marketplace will determine the most popular form factor.

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Figure 7.15 Apple iPhone 
 

In addition to communication functions like email and instant messaging, mobile workers are able to access the Web and corporate databases. For example, a sales person might book an order or check the production or delivery status of an open order while at a customer’s location or real estate appraiser or agent might send a photograph or video from a listed property to a central database. An October 2006 survey found that 64 percent of mobile workers use their smartphones to access enterprise applications and business data. 5

Mobile connectivity also enables location-aware applications. One may determine their exact location in several ways. If connected to the Internet, various databases and services are available. For example, Mapbuilder converts street addresses to geocodes (latitude and longitude) and displays the location on a Google map. The global positioning system (GPS) may also be used. A GPS receiver uses the signal transmission time to orbiting satellites to determine location. Where satellite signals are blocked, say by tall buildings, other techniques like estimating the distance to cell towers or TV broadcast antenna may be used. 6

Emergency service (wireless 911) is a key location-aware application. It led the United States Federal Communication Commission to mandate location-awareness for cell phones sold in the US. While not yet fully implemented, the increased demand has driven cost down dramatically. 7 While emergency service is driving the market, we can anticipate applications like directing ads to people in specific locations, location-specific search, taxi and delivery fleet scheduling, and automatic geocoding of photos when they are taken.