Archive for the ‘ Information appliance ’ Category

Smartphones

Share of 2010 Q1 smartphone shipments by operating system, by Gartner.[1]

A smartphone is a mobile phone that offers more advanced computing ability and connectivity than a basic ‘feature phone’.[2] While some feature phones are able to run simple applications based on generic platforms such as Java ME or BREW,[3] a smartphone allows the user to install and run much more advanced applications based on a specific platform. Smartphones run complete operating system software providing a platform for application developers.[4]

Growth in demand for advanced mobile devices boasting powerful processors, abundant memory, larger screens and open operating systems has outpaced the rest of the mobile phone market for several years.[5] According to a study by ComScore, in 2010, over 45.5 million people in the United States owned smartphones and it is the fastest growing segment of the mobile phone market, which comprised of 234 million subscribers in the United States.[6]

Operating systems

Operating systems that can be found on smartphones include Symbian (including S60 series), iPhone OS, , Palm WebOS, BlackBerry OS, Samsung bada, Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless, Windows Mobile, Android and Maemo. WebOS, Android and Maemo are built on top of Linux, and the iPhone OS is derived from the BSD and NeXTSTEP operating systems, which all are related to Unix.

Smartbook

A smartbook is a concept of a mobile device that falls between smartphones and netbooks, delivering features typically found in smartphones (always on, all-day battery life, 3G connectivity, GPS)[7] in a slightly larger device with a full keyboard. Smartbooks will tend to be designed to work with online applications.[8]

Smartbooks use the ARM processor, which gives them much greater battery life than a netbook which uses a traditional Intel x86 processor.[9] They are likely to be sold initially through mobile network operators, like mobile phones are today, along with a wireless data plan.[10]

Open source development

The open source culture has penetrated the smartphone market in a way. There have been attempts to open source both hardware and software of a smartphone. Most notable project from open hardware development is most likely the Neo FreeRunner smartphone developed by Openmoko. Lately, the Google Android OS is a popular open source mobile operating system. Nokia has an initiative around Symbian too, which has open-sourced all Symbian smartphone code in February 2010.[11] In cooperation with Intel, Nokia also develops the open source MeeGo operating system.

References

  1. ^ “Google Android smacks down Windows Mobile in latest Gartner data”. Press release. 19 May 2010.
  2. ^ Andrew Nusca (20 August 2009). “Smartphone vs. feature phone arms race heats up; which did you buy?”. ZDNet.
  3. ^ “Feature Phone”. Phone Scoop.
  4. ^ “Smartphone definition from PC Magazine Encyclopedia”. PC Magazine.
  5. ^ “Smart phones: how to stay clever in downturn”. Deloitte Telecommunications Predictions.
  6. ^ “Android Phones Steal Market Share”.
  7. ^ http://www.eetimes.eu/design/217700855
  8. ^ Schofield, Jack (29 July 2009). “The smartbook has been waiting 28 years to be the next best thing”. The Guardian (London).
  9. ^ Scott Stein (10 January 2010). “CES: What, exactly, is a smartbook? Highlights from the show floor”. cnet.
  10. ^ Ganapat, Priya (2008-12-15). “The Next Netbook Trend: Cellphone-Like Contract Deals” – Wired News.
  11. ^ http://www.watblog.com/2010/02/06/symbian-os-now-fully-open-source/

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This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia.

2010
05/31
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Smartbooks

Wistron Pursebook, 1GHz Snapdragon ARM CPU (April 2009).

A smartbook is a class of mobile device that combines certain features of both a smartphone and netbook.[1][2] Smartbooks deliver features including always on, all-day battery life, 3G and/or WiFi connectivity and GPS (all typically found in smartphones) in a laptop or tablet-style body with a screen size of 5 to 10 inches and a physical or soft touch screen QWERTY keyboard.[3]

Smartbooks are powered by ARM processors, which are more energy-efficient than traditional x86 processors that are typically found in desktop and laptop computers.[1] Smartbooks use variants of the Linux operating system, such as Google’s Android or Chrome OS among others, rather than Microsoft Windows (which currently requires an x86 processor). By using ARM and Linux smartbooks expel the traditional Wintel platform. The ARM processor used in the Smartbook allows it to achieve its longer battery life.[4][5]

Smartbooks tend to be designed more for entertainment purposes than for productivity purposes and typically are targeted to work with online applications[6] and may be also sold subsidized through mobile network operators, like mobile phones, along with a wireless data plan.[7] Nokia’s touchscreen enabled N900 has many of the features of smartbooks. The concept of smartbooks was firstly published by Qualcomm in the first half of 2009[4] and devices were expected to hit market as early as in the last quarter of the year, but due to difficulties in adapting some key software (most likely Adobe’s proprietary Adobe Flash Player) to ARM platform a delay occurred.[5] About 20 devices are expected to roll out in the first quarter of 2010.[8][9]

A German company Smartbook AG sells laptops under the brand Smartbook. The company holds a trademark for the word Smartbook in a number of countries (not including some big markets like United States, China, Japan or India) and is at the moment acting to preempt others from using the term smartbook to describe their products.[10][11]

References

  1. ^ a b Scott Stein (10 January 2010). “CES: What, exactly, is a smartbook? Highlights from the show floor”. cnet. http://ces.cnet.com/8301-31045_1-10431884-269.html. Retrieved 2010-01-11.
  2. ^ Following a definition given by Qualcomm Inc. in June 2009
  3. ^ A related smartbook definition is given by Freescale. http://smartmobiledevices.wordpress.com/2009/07/23/smartbook-vs-netbook/
  4. ^ a b Qualcomm touts the smartbook to rival netbooks, smartphones
  5. ^ a b ‘Smartbooks’ Latest to Join Crowded Computer Market – WSJ.com
  6. ^ Will smartbooks replace netbooks? | Technology | The Guardian
  7. ^ Ganapat, Priya (2008-12-15). “The Next Netbook Trend: Cellphone-Like Contract Deals” – Wired News.
  8. ^ Ready or not, 2010 could be the year of the smartbooks
  9. ^ 대한민국 IT포털의 중심! 이티뉴스
  10. ^ David Adams, Publishers Caught in Smartbook Dispute OSnews, 16th Dec 2009.
  11. ^ Smartbook AG site dedicated to the trademark

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This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia.

2010
04/26
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Personal digital assistants

The Palm TX

A personal digital assistant (PDA), also known as a palmtop computer, is a mobile device which functions as a Personal information manager and connects to the internet. The PDA has an electronic visual display enabling it to include a web browser, but some newer models also have audio capabilities, enabling them to be used as mobile phones or portable media players. Many PDAs can access the internet, intranets or extranets via Wi-Fi, or Wireless Wide Area Networks (WWANs). Many PDAs employ touch screen technology.

The term PDA was first used on January 7, 1992, by Apple Computer CEO John Sculley at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, referring to the Apple Newton. In 1996, Nokia introduced the first mobile phone with full PDA functionality, the 9000 Communicator, which has since grown to become the world’s best-selling PDA and which spawned a category of phones called the smartphone. Today the vast majority of all PDAs are smartphones, selling over 150 million units while non-phone (“stand-alone”) PDAs sell only about 3 million units per year. The RIM BlackBerry, the Apple iPhone and the Nokia N-Series and HTC are typical smartphones.

Popular consumer PDAs

Abacus PDA Watch
Acer N Series
AlphaSmart
Amida Simputer
BlackBerry
Encore Simputer
E-TEN
Fujitsu Siemens Computers Loox
HP iPAQ
HTC Corporation (Dopod, Qtek)’s series of Windows Mobile PDA/phones (HTC)
HTC, especially the HTC P3470 aka Pharos
I-mate
Palm, Inc. (Tungsten E2, TX, Treo, Zire Handheld, and Pre)
PocketMail (email PDA with inbuilt acoustic coupler)
Psion – obsolete
Royal
Sharp Wizard and Sharp Zaurus – obsolete

2010
03/26
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Personal digital assistants
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Mobile computing

Telxon PTC-710 is a 16-bit mobile computer PTC-710 with MP 830-42 microprinter 42-column version. It was manufactured by the Telxon corporation since early 1990s. This one was used for example as portable ticket machine by Czech Railways (České dráhy) in 1990s.

Mobile computing is a generic term describing one’s ability to use technology while moving, as opposed to portable computers, which are only practical for use while deployed in a stationary configuration.

Many types of mobile computers have been introduced since the 1990s, including the:

Wearable computer
Personal digital assistant/Enterprise digital assistant
Smartphone
Carputer
Ultra-Mobile PC

Technical and other limitations of mobile computing

  • Insufficient bandwidth

Mobile internet access is generally slower than direct cable connections, using technologies such as GPRS and EDGE, and more recently 3G networks. These networks are usually available within range of commercial cell phone towers. Higher speed wireless LANs are inexpensive, but have very limited range.

  • Security standards

When working mobile one is dependent on public networks, requiring careful use of VPNs.

  • Power consumption

When a power outlet or portable generator is not available, mobile computers must rely entirely on battery power. Combined with the compact size of many mobile devices, this often means unusually expensive batteries must be used to obtain the necessary battery life.

  • Transmission interferences

Weather, terrain, and the range from the nearest signal point can all interfere with signal reception. Reception in tunnels, some buildings, and rural areas is often poor.

  • Potential health hazards

More car accidents are related to drivers who were talking through a mobile device. Cell phones may interfere with sensitive medical devices. There are allegations that cell phone signals may cause health problems.

  • Human interface with device

Screens and keyboards tend to be small, which may make them harder to use. Alternate input methods such as speech or handwriting recognition require training.

  1. GH Forman, J Zahorjan – Computer, 1994 – doi.ieeecomputersociety.org
  2. David P. Helmbold, “A dynamic disk spin-down technique for mobile computing”, citeseer.ist.psu.edu, 1996
  3. MH Repacholi, “health risks from the use of mobile phones”, Toxicology Letters, 2001 – Elsevier
  4. Landay, J.A. Kaufmann, T.R., “user interface issues in mobile computing”, Workstation Operating Systems, 1993.
  5. T Imielinski, BR Badrinath “mobile wireless computing, challenges in data management- Communications of the ACM, 1994 – portal.acm.org

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia.

2010
01/18
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Mobile computing
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Appliance vs computer

The term information appliance was coined by Jef Raskin around 1979.[1][2] As later explained by an influential Donald Norman’s The Invisible Computer,[3] the main characteristics of IA, as opposed to any normal computer, were:

  • designed and pre-configured for a single application (like a toaster appliance, which is designed only to make toast),
  • so easy to use for untrained people, that it effectively becomes unnoticeable, “invisible” to them,
  • able to automatically share information with any other IAs.

This definition of IA was different from today’s. Jef Raskin initially tried to include such features in the Apple Macintosh, which he designed, but eventually the project went a quite different way. For a short while during the mid- and late 1980s, there were a few models of simple electronic typewriters with screens and some form of memory storage. These dedicated word processor machines had some of the attributes of an information appliance, and Raskin designed one of them, the Canon Cat. He described some properties of his definition of information appliance in his book The Humane Interface.

Larry Ellison, Oracle Corporation CEO, predicted that information appliances and network computers would supersede personal computers (PCs)[4]. This prediction has not yet come true.

References

  1. ^ Bergman, Eric. Information Appliances and Beyond (Interactive Technologies). Morgan Kaufmann. pp. 2–3. ISBN 1-55860-600-9.
  2. ^ Allan, Roy (2001). A history of the personal computer: the people and the technology. London, Ont.: Allan Pub.. pp. 49. ISBN 0-9689108-0-7.
  3. ^ Norman, Donald A. (1998). The invisible computer: why good products can fail, the personal computer is so complex, and information appliances are the solution. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press. ISBN 0-262-64041-4.
  4. ^ Walters, E. Garrison (2001). The essential guide to computing. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall PTR. pp. 13. ISBN 0-13-019469-7.

This guide is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia.

2009
12/30
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Information appliance

Apple_Newton_MP100

In general terms, an information appliance or information device is any machine or device that is usable for the purposes of computing, telecommunicating, reproducing, and presenting encoded information in myriad forms and applications. The common technical usage of “information appliance” (IA) is more specific — i.e., an appliance that is specially designed to perform a specific user-friendly function —such as playing music, photography, or editing text.[1][2]

Typical examples are smartphones and personal digital assistants (PDAs). Information appliances partially overlap in definition with, or are sometimes referred to as, smart devices, embedded systems, mobile devices, wireless devices, or handheld devices.

References

  1. ^ Pirhonen, A.; Isomäki, H.; Roast, C.; Saariluoma, Pertti. Future Interaction Design. Springer. pp. 129. ISBN 1-85233-791-5.
  2. ^ Benyon, David; Turner, Phil; Turner, Susan. Designing Interactive Systems: People, Activities, Contexts, Technologies. Addison Wesley Publishing Company. pp. 18. ISBN 0-321-11629-1.

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This guide is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia.

2009
06/22
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