Mobile Computing and Social Networks (Term Paper Sample)

Mobile Computing and Social Networks
Term Paper
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Mobile Computing and Social Networks
Introduction
Mobile technology has evolved so rapidly in its effectiveness, efficiency and availability. This added to the internet and smartphone capabilities have significantly enhanced the usage and functionality of mobile based applications. Such enhancements include geo-location which is a technology that uses the data accessed from an individual’s device to find his physical location. This is one of the popular technology in social networking which gives the capacity to let our friends and family know where we are. This is also used to identify popular or convenient places close to our physical locations, these may include restaurants, gas stations, shopping malls, post offices among others. Previously people did use other platforms such as MapQuest to print out travel maps on papers to use on travels, but with mobile based app technologies and smartphones, the maps are made available on the mobile devices and keep updating in real-time. These apps work with GPS chip installed which uses the satellite to determine the exact current location of the device. In the event of interference or service unavailability then the GPS chip will use the information from the cell towers to triangulate the approximate location of the device. These apps efficiency is dependent on network service availability. Also of concern with mobile based apps is their capabilities which depend on the sophisticated software and larger database can provide the user with a more accuracy of data.
Though this seems much sophisticated and comes with many advantages, mobile technology has a number of privacy concerns, especially with these types of applications for sharing our location on the social networks, we could intensify the level of personal risk. But a good boost to curb this is that application developers are allowing users to set up some type of privacy preferences.
Smartphone and Mobile Applications with GPS in location-based commerce
Location based technology services require position determining equipment and mobile positioning centers which consists of a group of servers. These servers combine position information with geographic and location specific content to provide a location commerce service. Location based technology can provide a list of addresses of nearby restaurants, local street maps and directory of business. This is provided by the content server via the internet. GPS is a wireless system that uses satellites to determine where the GPS device is located anywhere on the earth.
"Geo-location data can be collected in a number of ways, these may be web browsing through IP addresses, cell phones, GPS devices, radio frequency identification (RFID), credit/debit card transactions, tags in photographs, and postings (such as geo-tags or check-ins using applications such as Foursquare) on social network sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Geo-location technology has become a foundation for location-positioning services and location-aware applications running on smartphones such as iPhone and Android TM devices"(I S A C A, 2011).
For today’s mobile users it is very convenient to access information, perform online transactions and do many more other tasks through mobile applications. The capability to gain access to data or do given tasks via these apps from wherever, anytime with the cell phones without having to wait for access to regular computer has resulted in significant convenience and efficiency for people on the move. Day by day the smartphone technology is improving and mobile networks are becoming stronger and secure than before, thus enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of the mobile-based applications.
Data Capturing
Mobile phone applications are useful in capturing geo-location data as well as the customer data remotely and transfer such data to the processing server without the need to use a desktop system. This significantly improves the opportuneness and reduces the time essential to transfer the data. These type of proficiencies in mobile applications advantage in real time transfer and update of data over to the server. The advent of these mobile applications have allowed businesses to create enterprise level apps that significantly enhance their operational efficiency, customer service and quality. These mobile phone based applications are malleable for an establishment’s employees to work from wherever and update or access data on a real time. This is very essential in boosting comfort with work pivotal in spurring growth.
Benefits of Gaining Data on Mobile Devices to Consumers
Given the development of cloud computing, evidently data has turn out to be mobile, exchangeable, and promptly accessible. Mobile technology had made almost every aspect of our lives portable. In these days consumers are able to login to the payment center from their mobile and pay utility bills as well as review their statements and perform transactions irrespective of their physical location, in the past they used to do this from desktops by staying at home or work with fixed location. They can also read e-mails, share photos, get connected to friends and family through the social networks and with the touch of a button they are able to order goods and reserving seats for a movie or for a show. Consumers can also check-in for their doctors’ appointments, see the prescriptions and re-fill the prescription and view lab results as well as reserve a hotel room or business men can actively involve in the business activities and day to day meetings while they are travelling to the airport.
GPS devices as well as wireless terminals are helping the consumers to automatically recognize the smart tags for toll tax for cars on the road and in case of emergency patient can be tracked his/her location and paramedical can reach to save his life rather than the patient call the emergency service and get help. Business are able to attract the customers by many advertisings through mobile apps and making them to perform quick sales which is increasing the revenue for the business and saving lot of time for the individual consumer who does not have to go to the shop and stay in line to buy goods. Enterprise has lot of solid benefits with the cloud computing.
The invention of computers all through to cloud computing has vastly changed how we do things. Lately practically everything stands computerized. In most cases with mobile computing, one is able to complete assignments while in motion or work at the comfort of his own home. An evidently perfect example of mobile computing is personal laptops and smartphones that provide great convenience" (Harri Daniel, 2011). On the subject spanning benefits of mobile computing, the key of the evident ones are as discussed below;
Location Flexibility:
With the invention of mobile computing these days location is irrelevant. Consumers can perform various computing activities without having to stay at a specific location. Laptops and I-pads for instance provide a lot of flexibility for one to perform computing tasks on the go. This makes it easier than ever to keep in touch with people back home, with Skype, Google voice, e-mails, twitter and Facebook among other options.
Time Saver:
Invention of mobile computing makes it possible for people to get their work done or connect to their family and friends while they are travelling to save lot of time. One is able to save time by completing a given quantity of work while on his way to the office simultaneously. While at home or overnight, mobile computing enables one to access his files and continue working without having to carry the files to and from the office, he or she only needs to save his work in the computing cloud and access them from any location convenient for him.
Increased Productivity:
Nowadays large corporations are offering their employees with mobile computing access so that they have the flexibility to work from anywhere and at any time without the limitations whatsoever. In case of disaster which impacts the day-to-day operations employees can use their laptops at home and still work to support the business. Increasing productivity is a major goal for many corporate people, more creative work place can bring more money to their business. Increasing productivity means that completing service at a more rapid rate than before. This flexibility of work means increase in productivity.
Entertainment:
People can enjoy with their mobile device with the advancement of technology starting from movies, music, games, video and so forth. Mobile computing also give a flexibility to the professionals and students an opportunity for carrying out researches on any subject.
Challenges of developing applications that run on mobile devices because of the small screen size
As compared to the regular PC, smaller screen sizes characteristic of most mobile devices have challenged mobile app designers to come up with much more innovative ideas and solutions to maximize the screen level and achieve maximum usability.
Though mobile devices are more powerful and convenient devices, packed with much better processors, sharper screen resolutions and better color display among other characteristic overall better features, even though the devices remain smaller compared to desktops. It is not a viable idea to use the fully PC applications or websites on the mobile devices. Mobile applications or sites need to be optimized for the mobile experience. Some mobile devices are flip phones with access to phone keypad, soft left and right key as well as a four-way directional keypads with a select button at the center and some other devices like Apple phones are of multi-touch-screen mobile devices. Majority of the user’s input is th...