Introduction to Mobile Devices
Today's mobile devices are multi-functional devices capable of hosting a
broad range of applications for both business and consumer use. PDAs and the
ever-growing category of smart phones allow people to access the
Internet for e-mail,
instant
messaging,
text
messaging and Web browsing, as well as work documents, contact
lists and more. Mobile devices are often seen as an extension to your
own PC. Work done on the road, or away from the office can be
synchronized with your PC to reflect changes and new information.
Types of Mobile Computing Devices
The term mobile device is used to mean a wide range of consumer
electronics. Usually mobile device is used to describe the devices that
can connect to the Internet. However, some will classify digital cameras
and standard MP3 players as mobile devices as well. The category of
mobile devices include the following devices, as well as others:
Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)
(sometimes called pocket computers)
PDAs are handheld devices that
combine elements of computing, telephone/fax, Internet and
networking in a single device. A typical PDA can function as a
cellular phone, fax sender, Web browser and personal organizer.
Unlike portable computers, most PDAs began as pen-based, using a
stylus rather than a keyboard for input. This means that they also
incorporated handwriting recognition features. Some PDAs can also
react to voice input by using voice recognition technologies. PDAs
of today are available in either a stylus or keyboard version
(called a
datapad).
Examples of PDA Devices: Palm
Pilot, Revo, Sony Clie, Hewlett-Packard Jornado, Casio Cassiopedia,
Compaq iPaq, Toshiba Pocket PC
Smartphones
Smartphones combine both mobile phone and handheld computers into a
single device. Smartphones allow users to store information (e.g., e-mail),
install programs, along with using a mobile phone in one device. For
example, a Smartphone could be a mobile phone with some PDA functions
integrated into the device or vise versa.
Examples of Smartphones:
Sony Ericsson, Palm Treo,
Blackberry, Nokia T-Mobile Sidekick, Torq, Motorola Q, E-Ten, HP
iPaq, I-mate,
Tablet PC
Tablet PCs are a type of notebook computer that has an LCD screen on
which you can write using a stylus. The handwriting is
digitized and can be converted to standard text through handwriting
recognition, or it can remain as handwritten text. The stylus also
can be used to type on a pen-based key layout where the lettered
keys are arranged differently than a QWERTY keyboard. Tablet PCs
also typically have a keyboard and/or a mouse for input.
Examples of Table PCs: Samsung Q1,
Toshiba Portege, Fujitsu Lifebook, Motion Computing, IBM Thinkpad
Mobile Operating Systems (Mobile OS)
Like a computer
operating system, a
mobile operating system is the
software platform on top of which other programs run. When you purchase a mobile device, the
manufacturer will have chosen the operating system for that
specific device. The operating system is responsible for determining the functions and
features available on your device, such as thumbwheel, keyboards, WAP,
synchronization with applications, e-mail, text messaging and more. The
mobile operating system will also determine which third-party applications can be used
on your device. Some of the more common and well-known Mobile operating
systems include the following:
Symbian OS
Symbian OS has become a standard operating system for smartphones, and
is licensed by more than 85 percent of the world's handset manufacturers. The
Symbian OS is designed for the specific requirements of 2.5G and 3G
mobile phones.
Windows Mobile
The Windows Mobile platform is available on a variety of devices from a
variety of wireless operators. You will find Windows Mobile software on
Dell, HP, Motorola, Palm and i-mate products. Windows Mobile powered
devices are available on GSM or CDMA networks.
Palm OS
Since the introduction of the first Palm Pilot in 1996, the Palm OS
platform has provided mobile devices with essential business tools, as
well as capability to access the Internet or a central corporate database
via a wireless connection.
Mobile Linux:
The first company to launch phones with Linux as its OS was Motorola in
2003. Linux is seen as a suitable option for higher-end phones with
powerful processors and larger amounts of memory.
MXI
MXI is a universal mobile operating system that allows existing
full-fledged desktop and mobile applications written for Windows, Linux,
Java, Palm be enabled immediately on mobile devices without any
redevelopment. MXI allows for interoperability between various
platforms, networks, software and hardware components.
Vangie 'Aurora' Beal -
Writer, www.Webopedia.com
Last updated: Sepember 22, 2006
SmartPhoneToday
SmartPhoneToday, part of the PDAStreet.com family, is the most complete
third party resource on the Internet for information relating to PDAs
and similar devices. SmartPhoneToday features software, hardware, news,
reviews, and more.
Open
Source Mobile Phones (PDF)
In the past 18 months, mobile phone manufacturers in Asia and elsewhere
have introduced over a dozen handset models based on Linux, and before
the end of 2005.
CNET Smartphone
Reviews
CNET brings you the best reviews for Smartphones.
WSJ:
Mobile Journal
Features news and reviews for the mobile industry. |
