Friday, 7 October 2016

Basic Information on Types of Mobile Computers #6 (Carputers)

Mobile Computers are devices used between a user and a computer that is able to be transported during normal use. There are a large variety of Mobile Computers, Some of which are still being used today.

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(Post 6 of 6 - Types of Mobile Computers)
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Carputers
 Most cars made nowadays include their on-board computer, This computer stores information such as the Mileage, Amount of Petrol left in the tank, The Time. If your car has a digital display for these items then your car probably has a computer on board. Mechanics are able to connect to this computer to perform a diagnostics check-up to find out if the carputer has noticed anything wrong with the car.


With more advanced carputers on higher-end cars, added features may include, In-built GPS system, Bluetooth enabled Radios with a touchscreen interface, Rear-view cameras and even self-driving capabilities. 

Basic Information on Types of Mobile Computers #5 (Wearable Computers)

Mobile Computers are devices used between a user and a computer that is able to be transported during normal use. There are a large variety of Mobile Computers, Some of which are still being used today.

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Wearable Computers
Wearable Computers are essentially devices that the user can wear, a computer that is easy to be carried around on the body, the Samsung Gear, Nike Fuel, The Arubixs Portal Smartphone Watch and Google Glass are some examples of wearable technology available today.

Wearable Computers add features to the everyday items we wear. Such as adding basic Smartphone Features into a watch (Calendar, Pedometer, Notifications, Heart Rate Monitor, Allow you to control the music player on your phone). The Arubix Portal Smartphone Watch essentially turns your 
Smartphone into a wearable trendy watch, allowing you to keep your phone on your wrist at all time.


The current issues with a lot of wearable technology on the market today is battery and ways to rid of heat. 

Though Wearable technology has been around for quite a long time it has only recently been commercialized for the general user. 

Basic Information on Types of Mobile Computers #4 (Robots)

Mobile Computers are devices used between a user and a computer that is able to be transported during normal use. There are a large variety of Mobile Computers, Some of which are still being used today.

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Robots
Robots mechanical devices that are autonomous or semi-autonomous, meaning once instruction is given to the robot it functions without supervision, while other robots may require a user to give regular instructions.

Robots come in all shapes and sizes depending on the task it is required to do, Robot arms that are used to assemble cars, or a little robot with capabilities to defuse a bomb, Robots are created to suit their task, Of coarse following this topic we focus on robots that are mobile and able to move from their fixed locations, Development of Robots that have human characteristics are also being made to interact with humans, These robots also known as android and are equipped with Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI not only work with the instruction they are given but are able to learn from their surroundings , An example of this is Cleverbot or A.L.I.C.E which is AI that learns from the internet it has been very fascinated by cat videos,  

Mobile Robots would be equipped with a method of transport, be it Wheels, Tracks or Legs depending on what tasks the robot needs to be able to perform, it would also be equipped with stabilizers to keep itself upright.


Mobile Robots are an essentially new technology and we would have to keep vigilant on the amount of development in the fields in the future, As Robots are able to do work much more efficiently than Humans. 

History of Mobile computing

History of Mobile Computing

In the year 1894 Guglielmo Marconi discovered  Hertzian Waves Which is a wave used n frequency. By the year the first 1896 Wireless Telegraph & Signal Company established Continued by the year 1901 in St John’s, New Foundland, “father of the radio” Marconi received the first trans Atlantic wireless signal from Poldhu, England.


In the year 1905 Morse Code was implement in the world war  2 to communicate in the battlefield 1919 bu the RCA And in the year 1947, researchers in AT&T Bell Labs convinced with the idea of cellular phones. To encounter the US , USSR launched a satellite  called Sputnik from in Kazakhstan on October 4, 1957.

The first network was established  in year 1958 and a device called A-Netz which is using anolog technology and evolved in B-Netz both operating in 160 MHz .By the year 1969 FCC  made a decision  larger frequency so that more mobile phones and April 1973 the first phone was invented by Martin Cooper of  Motorola and the first phone that portable to Joel Engel.AT&T and Bell Labs made a prototype of a public cellular network at the year 1977


The very first and can be said world first analog cellular service AMPS is available in Chicago on the year 1983 and then FFC implement cellular service provider which giving out  a alternative technologies with the spectrum radio of 800 MHz to do the digital transmission in year 1987
 

By : Daniel Shammah 110043541


Introduction of mobile computing

What is mobile computing
Is a type of tech which allows the transmission of data such as messages, sound and video through wireless devices without any physical connection .

Portability
The word mobile mean something can be move around such as laptop and smartphones. These kind of portability devices need some sort of connection where comes mobile computing to support as network.

Connectivity
Mobile computing gives  a connectivity for the move around devices which is also called  mobile devices . These connection provided by local ISP where it supports stable connectivity and with a minimal lags. The continue connectivity allows to users to text and even love streaming.

Social interactivity
Different people need different function to use the network for  mobile devices  and its really important for nowadays to use network. Most of the people use Mobile computing for social media such as facebook, whatsapp and etc and others may use it for business purposes.

Individuality
In a way everything comes before connectivity is individuality. Every individual who are using mobile devices needs a network in order to get updated or connected to rest of the world and very individual are important in order to form a network in mobile computing.

By : Daniel Shammah 110043541

The Current Limitations of Mobile Computing

Range and Bandwidth: 
Using mobile internet access is much slower than using a direct cable, For example using a cell phone's connection such as GPRS, EDGE, HSDPA, HSUPA, 3G, 4G, 5G. All these internet access are available within a range commercial cell phone tower. Nevertheless using technology such as 3G or 4G is considerably cheaper than using high speed wireless networks like LAN's and LAN's have a very limited range.

Security Standard:
Working with a mobile it depends on the public networks used. Users should be careful as attacking a mobile device on these networks are easily done.

Power Consumption:
The other limitation to using mobile devices is the batter. When and If a power outlet or portable generator isn't available the usability of the device is compromised. As mobile computers rely entirely on it's battery for power. As mobile devices are very compact, More compact batteries with higher capacities are required. These compact high capacity batteries are normally more expensive.

Tranmission Interferences: 
Terrain, Weather are easily interfered due to these reasons and the range from the closest signal point may be disrupted from normal use. Reception in Tunnels, Some Buildings and Rural Areas are usually really poor.

Potential Health Risks:
People who are using their mobile devices are typically distracted, Usage while walking or driving as a dangerous habit a lot of users face which leads to traffic accident, Questions regarding mobile phone radiation and health are raised. Such as over-exposure to blue light causing lack of quality sleep.

Human Interface with Device: 
Alternate input strategies like speech or handwriting recognition need training using services such as voice control and map navigator are the examples.


By : Rahmonov Shohin - 110044724

Sunday, 25 September 2016

Basic Information on Types of Mobile Computers #3 (Smartphones)

Mobile Computers are devices used between a user and a computer that is able to be transported during normal use. There are a large variety of Mobile Computers, Some of which are still being used today.

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Smartphone
Smartphones are essentially mobile phones that have been buffed up with an advanced mobile operating system such as the IOS(Apple) or Android, Similarly to Tablets, Smartphones are flat mobile computer devices equipped with a touchscreen display, Unlike the Tablets they are pocket sized,


Smartphones still retain all the abilities of a regular mobile phone such as making and receiving phone calls, and sending and receiving text messages. The Smartphone also adds many popular features of the discontinued Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) such as an Event Calendar, GPS Navigation, Video Games, Media Player and Digital Cameras.



Like the Tablets, Smart Phones are also equipped with gesture controls for application shortcuts or commands, and a gyroscope to detect the orientation of the phone. Higher-end Smartphones are even equipped with a fingerprint biometric scanner. With “Selfies” (Self-Portraits) becoming a popular trend Smartphones almost always come with a front-facing camera.

A feature that has been very useful though we don’t notice is the proximity sensors on the front of your phone, these are the black dots you see, and it helps prevent you from accidently hanging up a phone call with your cheek or prevent you from pocket dialling.

Smartphones have also been used as a mobile console for mobile gaming. With an application market smartphone users are able to download third-party applications to play games. The application market is not only limited to games though as an abundance of productivity apps are available extending the possible features of a Smartphone.

On a Global Level Smartphones are still sort of rare. Though countries like South Korea over 88% of the population has a Smartphone, USA at 72%, Malaysia only at 65% and Tech-savvy Japan only has 39%. With the advancements of technology allowing for smartphones to be manufactured cheaper Smartphones are expected to me very common in the year 2019-2020.

By : Coronado Cestlly - 110044696

Basic Information on Types of Mobile Computers #2 (Tablet Computers)

Mobile Computers are devices used between a user and a computer that is able to be transported during normal use. There are a large variety of Mobile Computers, Some of which are still being used today.

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(Post 2 of 6 - Types of Mobile Computers)
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Tablet Computers
Tablet Computers commonly known as Tablets, are flat mobile computer devices usually equipped with a touchscreen display, some tablets may include a stylus (pen shaped peripheral) that allows for touchscreen use that may require more finesse such as for handwriting or drawing.
Tablets remove the need for a physical keyboard by replacing it with a digital one on the touchscreen. Though some Tablets such as the Huawei Matebook or Microsoft Surface feature a minimalistic keyboard attachment. The Matebook Keyboard attachment doubles as a case and even includes a track pad.
Tablets also commonly feature gesture recognition to remove the need of a mouse or track pad.
In comparison to Laptops, Tablets are usually much more portable and easier to carry around as they are lighter and slimmer than most laptops.


Though the downside to tablets is that they usually lack ports (unless an adapter is used). Such as USB or HDMI ports are usually not featured on tablets. Though due to advances in technologies we may see the merge of Tablets and Laptops as laptops get slimmer and slimmer at some point laptop level of power may commonly be found in tablets. 

By : Coronado Cestlly - 110044696 

Wednesday, 21 September 2016

Mobile Computing Security Issues

Security Issues


Introduction:

Mobile computing is developing very fast 
recently for the improvement in the performance of some issues (handoffs, routing...), but there is another issue that has to be considered, which is important for every user of mobile devices, and that is security.



Wireless Mobile Communication Networks:

The networks included regarding this issue are:
  • Wireless Lan.
  • Wireless Access Point.
  • Cellular Networks.
Using these three networks, the hackers can access the mobile devices and we can classify the type of threats and security challenges into two main categories:


  1. Security problems that are related to the transfer of the data between the mobile devices and mobile support stations and networks.
  2. Security problems that are related to the data and the informations that are in the mobile device itself.





The Common Problems of The Mobile Security:


  • The mobile devices have a lack of passwords for the authentification and control access, and even if users do use passwords or PINs they usually make passwords that are easily bypassed, thus, it will increase the risk of accessing the devices.
  • Some systems use static passwords which can be guessed, forgotten, written down or stolen, rather than the two factors authentification, that is very important to maintain high security levels than traditional passwords and PINs, this high level of security is necessary for sensitive informations and transactions.
  • Using Wireless Transmissions that is not totally encrypted, sometimes when users send emails, and other informations, it will not be encrypted, another thing is the applications that transfer and receive the data also don't encrypt the data stansmitted.
  • While doing the daily activities, the mobile devices may download malwares witout even knowing that, it's disguised in different ways: games, security patches, utilities or any other kind of applications.
  • Often, the mobile devices don't use security softwares to be protected agains't malwares, spams and so on, cause some of the devices come with a preinstalled security software and some others don't. 
  • The operating systems may receive a late updates, so it can be running out of date, it's up to the device manufacturers to develop certain device updates incorporating the vulnerability fix, it taes more time if the company is going to change properietaries to the device's software. Also there are devices who are older than 2 years and they will no longer receive software updates this strategy help the companies to sell their new products yearly.
  • Lot's of mobile devices don't limit of internet connections cause they don't have firewalls, the mobile devices connect with others using communications ports when they're connected to a wide areas networks, so it's easy for the hackers to access the devices using these ports that aren't secure.
  • Some mobile devices can be modified without authorisation in order to remove the limitations by what's called the jailbreaking or the rooting, this process changes the security management in the devices modified, thus the risks of getting hacked increse.

The Common Ways of Protection:
There are several ways for mobile device users to make it harder for the hackers to hack them:



  • Use security passwords and enable authentification of the user.
  • Check the resources of the downloaded applications and verify the authentifications.
  • Buy the antimalwares against malicious applications, viruses, spyware, infected secure digital cards,b and malware-based attacks.
  • Make sure the device is using a firewall.
  • Make sure the operating system is up to date.
  • In case of lost devices, disable the device and erase the data remotely.
  • Encrypt the data stored in the device or the memory card.
  • Use what's called by whitelisting, which means permitting only the safe applications to be processed.














Tuesday, 20 September 2016

Music Provided By :


*This list will be updated if and when new songs are added

Sunday, 18 September 2016

Basic Information on Types of Mobile Computers #1 (Laptops and Portable Computers)

Mobile Computers are devices used between a user and a computer that is able to be transported during normal use. There are a large variety of Mobile Computers, Some of which are still being used today.

(Post 1 of 6 - Types of Mobile Computers)
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Laptops and Portable Computers


Before Laptops were a norm portable computers were used, they were essentially built out of full-specification desktop parts but allowed the user to move it around, and they would include the full desktop a screen and keyboard, either packed in a suitcase or luggage bag. Though due to Laptops being able to match the performance of some desktop computers, portable computers started losing popularity as the ability to carry around a much lighter and smaller device with the ability of a desktop was much preferred.

Though most Portable Computers are uncommon nowadays, Some All-in One PC’s like the iMac are still around for the niche market still interested.

Laptops otherwise known as notebooks, are computers designed like a clamshell, opening and closing, on the bottom part of the clamshell would include the input devices such as an alphanumeric keyboard some larger laptops even including a keypad, and a pointing device commonly a track-pad, The top part of the clamshell would be where the screen is a thin LCD/LED computer screen, May also include a built in webcam and microphone.  Laptops also have built in speakers that are normally on the bottom clamshell. The laptop is easily closed and kept in a bag or carried in the hands.


Most of the issued laptop user’s face when using a laptop though is the inability to hold long charges, Laptop Batteries tend to only last 1 – 6 hours during normal use. Though some recent laptops like the Lenovo ThinkPad X260 is able to last 17 hours while surfing the internet wirelessly. 


By : Coronado Cestlly - 110044696

Thursday, 15 September 2016

Hardware & Software

  Mobile Computing (Hardware)  

The Principles of Mobile Computing:

Rules to abide by when constructing a mobile hardware

Portability: 
Ease of carry around.

Connectivity: 
Ability to continuously stay connected with very minimal amount of downtime, without being affected by movements of the device and frequencies of other devices.

Social Interactivity:
Able to maintain connectivity when interacting with other devices.

Individuality:
Adapting technology that suits individual needs.


   Examples of Mobile Computers:   




Smart Card: 
A chip card or integrated circuit card (ICC) is a pocket-sized card that has contains tiny integrated circuits. That delivers information when connected to a proper reader that are usually found on a mobile phone and laptops.

Usage:
Smart cards serve as credit or ATM cards, fuel membership cards, mobile phone SIMs, authentication cards for subscription television, household utility subscription payment cards, high-security individual identification and access-control cards, and public transport services cards and public phone payment cards.





Laptops:
A portable computer that has a "clamshell" form factor, normally a membrane keyboard at the lower bottom part of the computer. Easily folded shut for transportation, thus making it suitable for mobile use. Instead of a bulk power supply unit, a laptop depends on batteries to keep power up.

"Clamshell" form factor
Smartphones:
Modern day smartphones has many of the capabilities that a PC has but packed into a pocket-sized portable device. Smartphones uses an electronic visual display that are able to detect touch inputs from a user. Smartphones are also capable of making calls with an active SIM inserted and often dependent on an operating systems that provides a virtual keyboard. Smartphones OS of today are often Android and iOS.

Google flagship & Apple's flagship smartphones
Tablet Computers:
Tablet computers uses similar technology that  is of a smartphone but presented with a flat large display and a longer battery-life due to a larger form factor. The reason to this is because, tablet computers were made on the idea of an office-use presentation device. Tablet computers commonly does not include calling features.

Tablet Computers
Carputers:
A carputer is specialize to run in a car. Compact-sized and lower power consumption that normally has GPS capability to navigate a driver to a destination. A carputer also has Bluetooth functionality for convenient connection between another Bluetooth capable device. Carputer is also able to switch to hands-free call mode to prevent one hand-driving.


A carputer with Windows 10 pre-installed
Wearable Computers:
Also known as body-born computers that are miniature electronic devices that are worn with, under or on top of clothing. They are made usually for general or special purpose information technologies such as showing heart-rate when exercising, displaying important meetings at a specific time or a general heads up display.


Apple Watch released in 2015, as a wearable computer