| Mobile computing refers to the use of any kind of | | | | mobile computing today. Every single cell phone is |
| computer in a moving environment. The motion | | | | a computer in its own right. With the advent of |
| may be of the device itself, as in laptops, | | | | wireless technologies, it is also possible to access |
| palmtops, wearable computers, and mobile | | | | the Internet through cell phones. Blue tooth has |
| phones; or it may refer to the dynamics of the | | | | brought cell phone users closer than ever before |
| computing process, as in digital cameras, | | | | and has facilitated data transfer within a stipulated |
| podcasters and MP3 players. Mobile computing | | | | area. Another brilliant advancement in the field of |
| devices generally use wireless technologies such | | | | wireless technologies is the Metropolitan Area |
| as LAN, Wi-Fi, GPRS and the more recently | | | | Network, or MAN, which will allow vehicles and cell |
| introduced MAN. | | | | phones to remain in communication with each |
| Mobile computing can be broadly classified into | | | | other forming a network probably much vaster |
| two categories - portable computing and mobility | | | | than the internet. |
| computing. Portable computing actually refers to | | | | Today, mobile computing is a boon to people on |
| wired communication. Portable devices themselves | | | | the move. It can be used for checking mails while |
| are movable, but in order to access them one | | | | in transit and even carry out transactions and |
| needs to connect them to a network port. That | | | | businesses. Services like SMS (Short Messaging |
| means, portable computing devices can be carried | | | | Service) and MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) |
| to wherever there is a network port available. | | | | are targeted towards the younger generation to |
| Mobility computing is also called simply mobile | | | | remain in contact with their colleagues and friends. |
| computing nowadays. This is true wireless | | | | During sports events, mobile networks keep |
| communication. Not only are the devices movable, | | | | users informed of the goings-on. |
| but they can also be accessed from almost | | | | However, critics are concerned with the intrusion |
| anywhere. Today, portable computing is almost on | | | | of privacy that mobile computing creates. Several |
| the verge of extinction; mobile computing has | | | | members of the younger generation are turning |
| made its foray into almost every aspect of | | | | into 'gizmo freaks' and becoming almost addicted |
| human life. | | | | to their mobile computing devices like watches |
| The first usage of mobile computing devices was | | | | and cell phones. Some of these devices which |
| perhaps in vehicles. Speedometers were among | | | | work on infrared technologies can also pose |
| the first devices to get computerized. Almost | | | | potential health risks. |
| every modern vehicle has several mobile | | | | Yet, mobile computing has become an |
| computing devices under its dashboard. Cell | | | | indispensable extension of technology today. It is |
| phones are another rampant proliferation of | | | | definitely here to stay. |