Mobile Computing is a generic term describing your ability to use technology to wirelessly connect to and use centrally located information and/or application software through the application of small, portable, and wireless computing and communication devices. This includes devices like laptops with wireless LAN technology, mobile phones, wearable computers and Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) with Bluetooth or IRDA interfaces, and USB flash drives.

History of mobile devices

---

Originally, electronic devices such as radio transmitters, wireless communications systems, and the like, were base stations, operated at fixed locations, typically with large antenna towers. Widespread use of automobiles gave rise to smaller devices operating at 6 volts. In the 1950s, the transition to 12 volt automotive electrical systems gave rise to a large number of 12 volt devices, such as two-way radios, referred to as mobile rigs. A large industry, with companies such as Motorola (Motor-ola) sprung up to support the growing need for mobile devices, such as taxicab radios, police radios, and other 12 volt underdash equipment, as well as trunk mount systems. Today there are a wide variety of mobile computing platforms, including dash-mount VGA displays, and computers that can provide GPS and other navigation functions for automobile users.

Base-Mobile-Portable hierarchy

---

In ham radio, there is a base-mobile-portable hierarchy, as follows:

• Base station: fixed location, incorporated into a building or other architecture;
• Mobile: attached to or in a vehicle or used by a mobileer;
• Portable: worn or carried. (The word "portable" derives from French "porter" = "to wear", but also includes handheld devices such as handie-talkies, walkie talkies, handheld computers, as well as wearable computers).

More on [ Mobile computing ]

Smartphone & Pocket PC magazine

The Coming of AMOLED Displays, HD2 Reviews, Skyfire 1.5
Jim Karpen Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:54:11 -0000
Frankly, I’d been seeing AMOLED displays being touted as a feature on some new phones but wasn’t sure what that was. This week we’ll take a brief look at that, as well as note some more HD2 reviews and the release of a new version of the free Skyfire browser. AMOLED Displays Cropping Up We’re starting to see AMOLED displays in some of the new phones, notably AT&T’s HP iPAQ Glisten and Verizon’s Samsung Omnia II. So what is AMOLED and how is it different?read more
SBSH updates Facade to version 2.1 and announces Facade Skins Arena!
Nate Adcock Sat, 12 Dec 2009 14:47:11 -0000
“Tel Aviv, December 7th, 2009 - SBSH announced today a new update release for its best selling front-end replacement application for Windows Mobile Smartphones, SBSH Facade, to version 2.1.read more
Get an HTC Ozone for $49.99 and get a second one for FREE!
Nate Adcock Sat, 12 Dec 2009 02:36:18 -0000
 This is a really awesome deal for anyone that wants a couple of decent WinMo phones! This is a $250 dollar value, and it won't last forever, so don't wait...Get two Verizon HTC Ozone Window phones for the low price of just $49.99. Full details over at Microsoft's mobile site here.
Glisten Unboxing
Nate Adcock Thu, 10 Dec 2009 01:26:05 -0000
I have had the HP iPAQ Glisten for over a week or so now, but just getting round to the un-boxing post (sorry). I am impressed in some ways, but HP staying almost completely away from adding any custom/additional apps is a little surprising.read more
New posts to forum closed for now
Hal Goldstein Wed, 09 Dec 2009 18:17:08 -0000
This web site and forum contains over 10 years of useful content for Windows Mobile users. The site began in 1998 as handheldpcmag.com, became pocketpcmag.com, and now is smartphonemag.com. Microsoft in the meantime changed its lexicon from “Handheld PC” to “Palm-sized PC” to “Pocket PC” to “Smartphone” and now to “Windows Phone”. Microsoft referred to the underlying operating system as “Windows CE”, “Windows Mobile” and now just “Windows”.read more
Bing Mobile, Google Maps for Mobile, Omnia Pro, iPAQ Glisten
Jim Karpen Tue, 08 Dec 2009 18:06:21 -0000
I like Microsoft’s Bing search engine, so it’s great to see them continuing to develop it for the mobile space. This week we’ll note a new version of Bing for Windows Mobile, as well as a new version of Google Maps for Mobile. Also, I’ll point you to reviews of the new AT&T iPAQ Glisten and Omnia Pro phones. read more

Subscribe to Mobile_Computing RSS feed

Palm Advances Mobile Computing