Fundamentals of Mobile Computing

Fundamentals of Mobile Computing

• Mobile computing is the ability to access and process information on portable devices without location restrictions.

Mobile Computing Features

• Mobility
• Connectivity
• Real-time access to information
• Wireless communication

Mobility in Cellular Communication

• Mobility is the defining feature of mobile computing.
• Handoff Process: Seamless transition between cell towers as users move.
• Continuous Service: Ensuring uninterrupted connection as the user moves.

Feature of Mobile Computing

• Portability: Devices should be lightweight, portable, and operable without continuous power.
• Connectivity: Reliable network with minimal downtime, even when devices move.
• Interactivity: Devices should efficiently communicate with other nodes.
• Individuality: Mobile systems should cater to individual user needs (e.g., personalized apps, notifications).

Network Design for Mobile Computing

• Wireless Application Protocol (WAP): A stripped-down HTTP version, basic protocol, and data communication foundation for the World Wide Web.
• Also used XML-based Wireless Markup Language (WML) for WAP applications.
• WAP didn't meet expectations due to slow browsers, limited screen size, and slow data retrieval.

Network Design for Mobile Computing (continued)

• Wireless LAN design considerations include user traffic, device numbers, access point locations, and interference.
• Wide Area Radio Networks present challenges in integrating private radio networks with existing infrastructure, ensuring minimal dead spots, and maximizing coverage.

Advantages of Cellular Networks

• Scalability: Adding more towers to extend coverage and improve service.
• Lower Power Consumption: Devices use less energy by connecting to nearby towers rather than a central transmitter.

Mobile Computing Devices

• Netbooks: Small, lightweight laptops with essential processing power.
• Cell Phones: Early mobile phones vs. modern smartphones, focusing on technological advancements.
• Smartphones: Powerful handheld computers able to run apps, connect to the internet, and more.
• Smart Pads: Devices with advanced touchpads allowing multi-finger gestures.

Mobile Application Design Challenges

• Technical Design: Managing network capacity, response time, and system availability.

• Data Compression: Reducing data sent over the network to maximize bandwidth usage.

• Security: Protecting data from unauthorized access through encryption and firewalls.

• How to ensure mobile app is fast, secure, and efficient?

  • Data Caching
  • Minimize Network Requests
  • Lightweight Design
  • Data Encryption
  • Authentication
  • Regular Updates
  • Battery and Resource Management

Limitations of Mobile Computing

• Range and Bandwidth Limitations: Mobile internet speeds are slower than wired connections.
• Security Concerns: Mobile devices are vulnerable to security breaches while using public networks.
• Power Consumption: Mobile devices have limited battery life, which is problematic for power-intensive tasks.
• Interference: Terrain, weather, and distance from a cell tower can interfere with signal quality.

The Future of Mobile Computing

• 5G Networks
• AI in Mobile Devices
• Wearable Technology

How mobile computing will utilize AI, 5G, or wearables in healthcare and entertainment

• Healthcare: AI enhances diagnostics, personalized treatment, and remote surgeries; 5G enables faster patient monitoring and data transfer; wearables track health, detect conditions, and improve patient engagement
• Entertainment: AI delivers personalized recommendations and immersive experiences; 5G supports high-quality streaming and seamless gaming ; wearables enhance interactive experiences

Mobile Application Development

• Device Fragmentation Challenges: Diverse mobile devices with varying screen sizes, resolutions, hardware capabilities, and OS versions make app development difficult as apps must work seamlessly across all devices without significant adaptation.

Device Fragmentation Challenges (continued)

• Screen Sizes and Aspect Ratios
• Hardware Capabilities
• Operating System
• UI/UX Design Consistency
• Performance Optimization
• Compatibility Issues

Strategies for Handling Fragmentation

• Responsive and Adaptive Design Techniques: Responsive design uses flexible grids, layouts, and media queries; Adaptive design builds multiple UI versions for different screen sizes, providing an optimized experience.
• Dynamic Asset Management: Use scalable vector graphics (SVG) and multiple-resolution image assets to ensure accurate display on all screen densities; Employ density-independent pixels to scale UI elements proportionally across different devices.
• Testing Across Devices and Emulators: Using real devices for critical testing and testing with emulators.
• Backward Compatibility: Ensuring compatibility with older OS versions while taking advantage of the latest features in newer versions through feature detection techniques to enable or disable functionalities.

Case Study on Device Fragmentation

• Cross-Device Consistency, Responsive Design, Dynamic Scaling, Backward Compatibility, Platform-Specific Guidelines, Feature Detection.

Good Practices

• Consistency: Uniform interface across all devices
• Adaptability: Design responsive UI elements that scale
• Testing: Use tools for identifying and resolving fragmentation issues.
• Platform Guidelines: Design aligned with Android and iOS standards

Creating your first mobile application

• Understanding the file structure (MainActivity.java, activity_main.xml, AndroidManifest.xml).
• MainActivity.java: The main Java file for the application's logic.
• activity_main.xml File defines the app's user interface.
• AndroidManifest.xml: Describes essential app information (package name and activities).