David Stevens

April 16, 2007

MCS 760

Mobile Computing Devices

The popularization of mobile computing devices has changed the way people live their lives and the manner that business is conducted. The earliest mobile computing devices that had a great impact upon the corporate culture and resemble a basic form of the devices offered today were laptops and portable digital assistants (PDA). These devices allowed a professional to untie themselves from the office in hopes of becoming more productive.

Mobile devices are reliant on the technology that they use to connect and transmit information. The use and ability of mobile computing devices improved by leaps and bounds with the introduction of cellular networks and wi-fi. The ability to access the Internet from almost anywhere has increased the consumer’s demand for powerful devices which contain these capabilities.

The use of mobile computing devices is only going to increase as the quality of the units improves. One of the major limitations that mobile computing devices need to overcome is the difficult manner of inputting information. The standard form of input (keyboard and mouse) is not always available with mobile devices. The most popular ultra mobile portable computers (UMPC) typically use a hidden QWERTY keypad. The method of input is limiting, and it is not convenient for the users. Voice input would be a much better form of input, but the technology is not quite available to make this a viable option.

Pros:

• Mobile, not limited to a certain area
• Utilization of wireless LAN and WAN technologies
• Creates a more productive workforce
• Great for small applications like word processing and email

Cons:

• The smaller the device the weaker the performance
• Battery life typically lasts for only a couple of hours
• Input devices are not user friendly
• Devices may be mobile but are also fragile
• Security (easy to lose small device with sensitive information)
• The wearable computer is not a realistic option currently