An Introduction to Mobile Devices

Today’s mobile devices are multi-functional devices capable of hosting a broad range of applications for both business and consumer use. Personal Digital Assistants (PDA) and the ever-growing category of smart phones allow people to access the Internet for e-mail, instant messaging, text messaging and Web browsing, as well as work documents, contact lists and more. Mobile devices are often seen as an extension to your own PC.  Work done on the road, or away from the office can be synchronized with your PC to reflect changes and new information.

Types of Mobile Computing Devices
The term mobile device covers a wide range of consumer electronics. Usually mobile device describes the devices that can connect to the Internet. However, some people classify digital cameras and standard MP3 players as mobile devices as well. The category of mobile devices include the following devices, as well as others:

• Personal Digital Assistant: Sometimes called pocket computers, PDAs combine elements of computing, telephone/fax, Internet and networking in a single device. A typical PDA can function as a cellular phone, fax sender, Web browser and personal organizer. Unlike portable computers, most PDAs began as pen-based, using a stylus rather than a keyboard for input. This means that they also incorporated handwriting recognition features. Some PDAs can also react to voice input by using voice recognition technologies. PDAs of today are available in either a stylus or keyboard version (called a datapad).
  
  
  
• Smartphone: Smartphones combine both mobile phone and handheld computers into a single device. Smartphones let you store information (e.g., e-mail) and install programs, along with using a mobile phone in one device. For example, a Smartphone could be a mobile phone with some PDA functions integrated into the device or vise versa.
  
  
  
• Tablet PC: Tablet PCs are a type of notebook computer that has an screen display on which you can write using a stylus. The handwriting is digitized and can be converted to standard text through handwriting recognition, or it can remain as handwritten text. The stylus also can be used to type on a pen-based key layout where the lettered keys are arranged differently than a standard QWERTY keyboard. Tablet PCs also typically have a keyboard and/or a mouse for input.

Mobile Operating Systems (Mobile OS)

Like a computer operating system, a mobile operating system is the software platform that determines the functions and features available on your device, such as thumbwheel, keyboards, wireless security, synchronization with applications, e-mail, text messaging and more. The mobile operating system will also determine which third-party applications you can install on your device.

Some of the more common and well-known Mobile operating systems include the following:

Symbian OS
Symbian OS has become a standard operating system for smartphones, and is licensed by more than 85 percent of the world’s handset manufacturers. The Symbian OS is designed for the specific requirements of 2.5G and 3G mobile phones.

Link: Symbian OS Web site

Windows Mobile
The Windows Mobile platform is available on a variety of devices from a variety of wireless operators. You will find Windows Mobile software on Dell, HP, Motorola, Palm and i-mate products. Windows Mobile powered devices are available on GSM or CDMA networks.

Link: Windows Mobile Web site

Palm OS
Since the introduction of the first Palm Pilot in 1996, the Palm OS platform has provided mobile devices with essential business tools, as well as capability to access the Internet or a central corporate database via a wireless connection.

Link: Palm OS Web site

Adapted from webopedia.com.

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