Mobile Computing is a generic term describing your ability to use technology 'un
tethered'(wireless), that is not physically connected, or in remote or mobile (non static)
environments. The term is evolved in modern usage such that it requires that the mobile
computing activity be connected wirelessly to and through the internet or to and through a
private network. This connection ties the mobile device to centrally located information and/or
application software through the use of battery powered, portable, and wireless computing and
communication devices. This includes devices like laptops with wireless LAN or wireless WAN
technology, smart mobile phones, wearable computers and Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs)
with Bluetooth or IRDA interfaces.
TYPES OF MOBILE COMPUTERS
Many types of mobile computers have been introduced since the 1990s, including the:
a. Laptop computer:
A laptop computer, simply laptop (notebook computer or notebook), is a small mobile
computer, which usually weighs 2-18 pounds (1-6 kilograms), depending on size, materials, and
other factors. Laptops usually run on a single main battery or from an external AC/DC adapter
which can charge the battery while also supplying power to the computer itself. Many computers
also have a 3 volt cell to run the clock and other processes in the event of a power failure.
As personal computers, laptops are capable of the same tasks as a desktop computer,
although they are typically less powerful for the same price. They contain components that are
similar to their desktop counterparts and perform the same functions, but are miniaturized and
optimized for mobile use and efficient power consumption. Laptops usually have liquid crystal
displays and most of them use different memory modules for their random access memory
(RAM), for instance, SO-DIMM in lieu of the larger DIMMs. In addition to a built-in keyboard,
they may utilize a touchpad (also known as a trackpad) or a pointing stick for input, though an
external keyboard or mouse can usually be attached.
b. Sub notebook
A sub notebook is a small and lightweight portable computer, with most of the features of
a standard notebook computer but smaller. The term is often applied to systems that run full
versions of desktop operating systems such as Windows or Linux. Sub notebooks are smaller
than notebook computers but larger than handheld computers and ultra portables. They often
have screens that are 10.4” (diagonal) or less, and weigh less than 1 kg; as opposed to full-size
laptops with 12” or 15” screens and weighing 2 kg or more. The savings in size and weight are
usually achieved partly by omitting ports or having removable media/optical drives; sub
notebooks are often paired with docking stations to compensate. Sub notebooks are a niche IT
product and rarely sell in large numbers.
c. Personal digital assistants (PDAs)
Personal digital assistants (PDAs) are handheld computers, but have become much more
versatile over the years. PDAs are also known as pocket computers or palmtop computers. PDAs
have many uses: calculation, use as a clock and calendar, accessing the Internet, sending and
receiving E-mails, video recording, typewriting and word processing, use as an address book,
making and writing on spreadsheets, scanning bar codes, use as a radio or stereo, playing
computer games, recording survey responses, and Global Positioning System (GPS). Newer
PDAs also have both color screens and audio capabilities, enabling them to be used as mobile
phones (smart phones), web browsers, or portable media players. Many PDAs can access the
Internet, intranets or extranets via Wi-Fi, or Wireless Wide-Area Networks (WWANs). Many
PDA's employ touch screen technology.
d. Mobile data terminal (MDT)
A mobile data terminal (MDT) is a computerized device used in police cars, taxicabs,
courier vehicles, service trucks, commercial trucking fleets, military logistics, fishing fleets,
warehouse inventory control, and emergency vehicles to communicate with a central dispatch
office.
Mobile data terminals feature a screen on which to view information and a keyboard or
keypad for entering information, and may be connected to various peripheral devices. Standard
peripherals include two-way radios and taximeters, both of which predate computer assisted
dispatching. MDTs may be simple display and keypad units, intended to be connected to a
separate black-box or AVL (see below) computer. On the other end of the spectrum, MDTs may
contain full, PC-equivalent hardware. The function and programmability of the devices is
similarly broad.
e. Tablet PC
A Tablet PC is a notebook- or slate-shaped mobile computer. Its touch screen or
digitizing tablet technology allows the user to operate the computer with a stylus or digital pen,
or a fingertip, instead of a keyboard or mouse.
The form factor offers a more mobile way to interact with a computer. Tablet PCs are
often used where normal notebooks are impractical or unwieldy, or do not provide the needed
functionality.
f. Smart phone
A smart phone is a full-featured mobile phone with personal computer like functionality.
Most smart phones are cell phones that support full featured email capabilities with the
functionality of a complete personal organizer. An important feature of most smart phones is that
applications for enhanced data processing and connectivity can be installed on the device, in
contrast to regular phones which support sandboxed applications. These applications may be
developed by the manufacturer of the device, by the operator or by any other third-party software
developer. "Smart" functionality includes any additional interface including a miniature
QWERTY keyboard, a touch screen, or even just secure access to company mail, such as is
provided by a BlackBerry.
g. Ultra Mobile PC
The Ultra-Mobile PC (abbreviated UMPC), previously known by its codename Project
Origami, is a specification for a small form factor tablet PC. It was developed as a joint
development exercise by Microsoft, Intel, and Samsung, among others. Current UMPCs feature
the Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005, Windows Vista Home Premium Edition, or Linux
operating system and low-voltage Intel Pentium or VIA C7-Mprocessors in the 1 GHz range.
tethered'(wireless), that is not physically connected, or in remote or mobile (non static)
environments. The term is evolved in modern usage such that it requires that the mobile
computing activity be connected wirelessly to and through the internet or to and through a
private network. This connection ties the mobile device to centrally located information and/or
application software through the use of battery powered, portable, and wireless computing and
communication devices. This includes devices like laptops with wireless LAN or wireless WAN
technology, smart mobile phones, wearable computers and Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs)
with Bluetooth or IRDA interfaces.
TYPES OF MOBILE COMPUTERS
Many types of mobile computers have been introduced since the 1990s, including the:
a. Laptop computer:
A laptop computer, simply laptop (notebook computer or notebook), is a small mobile
computer, which usually weighs 2-18 pounds (1-6 kilograms), depending on size, materials, and
other factors. Laptops usually run on a single main battery or from an external AC/DC adapter
which can charge the battery while also supplying power to the computer itself. Many computers
also have a 3 volt cell to run the clock and other processes in the event of a power failure.
As personal computers, laptops are capable of the same tasks as a desktop computer,
although they are typically less powerful for the same price. They contain components that are
similar to their desktop counterparts and perform the same functions, but are miniaturized and
optimized for mobile use and efficient power consumption. Laptops usually have liquid crystal
displays and most of them use different memory modules for their random access memory
(RAM), for instance, SO-DIMM in lieu of the larger DIMMs. In addition to a built-in keyboard,
they may utilize a touchpad (also known as a trackpad) or a pointing stick for input, though an
external keyboard or mouse can usually be attached.
b. Sub notebook
A sub notebook is a small and lightweight portable computer, with most of the features of
a standard notebook computer but smaller. The term is often applied to systems that run full
versions of desktop operating systems such as Windows or Linux. Sub notebooks are smaller
than notebook computers but larger than handheld computers and ultra portables. They often
have screens that are 10.4” (diagonal) or less, and weigh less than 1 kg; as opposed to full-size
laptops with 12” or 15” screens and weighing 2 kg or more. The savings in size and weight are
usually achieved partly by omitting ports or having removable media/optical drives; sub
notebooks are often paired with docking stations to compensate. Sub notebooks are a niche IT
product and rarely sell in large numbers.
c. Personal digital assistants (PDAs)
Personal digital assistants (PDAs) are handheld computers, but have become much more
versatile over the years. PDAs are also known as pocket computers or palmtop computers. PDAs
have many uses: calculation, use as a clock and calendar, accessing the Internet, sending and
receiving E-mails, video recording, typewriting and word processing, use as an address book,
making and writing on spreadsheets, scanning bar codes, use as a radio or stereo, playing
computer games, recording survey responses, and Global Positioning System (GPS). Newer
PDAs also have both color screens and audio capabilities, enabling them to be used as mobile
phones (smart phones), web browsers, or portable media players. Many PDAs can access the
Internet, intranets or extranets via Wi-Fi, or Wireless Wide-Area Networks (WWANs). Many
PDA's employ touch screen technology.
d. Mobile data terminal (MDT)
A mobile data terminal (MDT) is a computerized device used in police cars, taxicabs,
courier vehicles, service trucks, commercial trucking fleets, military logistics, fishing fleets,
warehouse inventory control, and emergency vehicles to communicate with a central dispatch
office.
Mobile data terminals feature a screen on which to view information and a keyboard or
keypad for entering information, and may be connected to various peripheral devices. Standard
peripherals include two-way radios and taximeters, both of which predate computer assisted
dispatching. MDTs may be simple display and keypad units, intended to be connected to a
separate black-box or AVL (see below) computer. On the other end of the spectrum, MDTs may
contain full, PC-equivalent hardware. The function and programmability of the devices is
similarly broad.
e. Tablet PC
A Tablet PC is a notebook- or slate-shaped mobile computer. Its touch screen or
digitizing tablet technology allows the user to operate the computer with a stylus or digital pen,
or a fingertip, instead of a keyboard or mouse.
The form factor offers a more mobile way to interact with a computer. Tablet PCs are
often used where normal notebooks are impractical or unwieldy, or do not provide the needed
functionality.
f. Smart phone
A smart phone is a full-featured mobile phone with personal computer like functionality.
Most smart phones are cell phones that support full featured email capabilities with the
functionality of a complete personal organizer. An important feature of most smart phones is that
applications for enhanced data processing and connectivity can be installed on the device, in
contrast to regular phones which support sandboxed applications. These applications may be
developed by the manufacturer of the device, by the operator or by any other third-party software
developer. "Smart" functionality includes any additional interface including a miniature
QWERTY keyboard, a touch screen, or even just secure access to company mail, such as is
provided by a BlackBerry.
g. Ultra Mobile PC
The Ultra-Mobile PC (abbreviated UMPC), previously known by its codename Project
Origami, is a specification for a small form factor tablet PC. It was developed as a joint
development exercise by Microsoft, Intel, and Samsung, among others. Current UMPCs feature
the Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005, Windows Vista Home Premium Edition, or Linux
operating system and low-voltage Intel Pentium or VIA C7-Mprocessors in the 1 GHz range.
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