Mobile computing involves the use of wireless communication and portable devices for computing tasks anywhere and anytime, integrating technologies such as mobile networking, information access, adaptive applications, energy-aware systems, and location sensitivity. It plays a crucial role in personal and industrial applications, allowing seamless access and interaction with data and services. The evolution of mobile computing promises more adaptive and context-aware user experiences in the future.

1. Mobile Computing
Lecture 4
August 30, 2024

2. Introduction to Mobile Computing
▶ Mobile computing refers to using wireless communication
and portable devices to perform computing tasks from any
location, at any time.
▶ It integrates multiple technologies such as:
▶ Mobile networking: Allows devices to connect and
communicate wirelessly (e.g., 4G, 5G, Wi-Fi).
▶ Mobile information access: Enables users to retrieve and
store data remotely through cloud services or local storage.
▶ Adaptive applications: Applications that adjust functionality
based on device resources or network conditions.
▶ Energy-aware systems: Optimizes power consumption to
extend battery life, especially important for mobile devices.
▶ Location sensitivity: Leverages GPS or network-based
location services to provide context-aware experiences.

3. Introduction to Mobile Computing
▶ Mobile computing plays a critical role in modern life, from
personal use to industries such as healthcare, education, and
transportation.
Example:
▶ A student using a smartphone to access educational content
from a cloud storage service while commuting, and receiving
location-based alerts (e.g., next bus stop), all while the phone
intelligently manages battery usage by dimming the screen.

4. Mobile Networking
▶ Mobile IP: Provides seamless mobility for IP devices.
▶ Ad hoc networks: Networks formed on the fly between
mobile nodes without a fixed infrastructure.
▶ Wireless TCP fixes: Techniques to improve TCP
performance over wireless links.

5. Mobile Networking
▶ Mobile IP: Provides seamless mobility for IP devices.
▶ Ad hoc networks: Networks formed on the fly between
mobile nodes without a fixed infrastructure.
▶ Wireless TCP fixes: Techniques to improve TCP
performance over wireless links.
Example:
▶ A mobile user accessing the internet while switching between
different wireless networks seamlessly using Mobile IP.

6. Mobile Information Access
▶ Disconnected operation: Handling data access when the
mobile device is offline.
▶ Weak consistency: Data synchronization strategies that
tolerate minor inconsistencies.

7. Mobile Information Access
▶ Disconnected operation: Handling data access when the
mobile device is offline.
▶ Weak consistency: Data synchronization strategies that
tolerate minor inconsistencies.
Example:
▶ Google Docs in offline mode allows users to edit documents
without an internet connection and syncs changes later.

8. Adaptive Applications
▶ Proxies: Intermediate nodes to offload tasks such as data
compression.
▶ Transcoding: Adjusting content to fit device constraints
(e.g., images, videos).
▶ Agility: The ability of applications to adjust to varying
network conditions.

9. Adaptive Applications
▶ Proxies: Intermediate nodes to offload tasks such as data
compression.
▶ Transcoding: Adjusting content to fit device constraints
(e.g., images, videos).
▶ Agility: The ability of applications to adjust to varying
network conditions.
Example:
▶ A video streaming app that reduces resolution to avoid
buffering during slow network conditions.

10. Energy-aware Systems
▶ Goal-directed adaptation: Adjusting device behavior to
maximize battery life.
▶ Disk spin-down: Reducing energy consumption by spinning
down hard drives during inactivity.

11. Energy-aware Systems
▶ Goal-directed adaptation: Adjusting device behavior to
maximize battery life.
▶ Disk spin-down: Reducing energy consumption by spinning
down hard drives during inactivity.
Example:
▶ Smartphones reduce screen brightness and background
activity when battery is low.

12. Location Sensitivity
▶ GPS: Satellite-based location tracking system.
▶ WaveLan triangulation: Locating devices using WiFi signal
strength.
▶ Context-awareness: Adapting behavior based on the user’s
location and surroundings.

13. Location Sensitivity
▶ GPS: Satellite-based location tracking system.
▶ WaveLan triangulation: Locating devices using WiFi signal
strength.
▶ Context-awareness: Adapting behavior based on the user’s
location and surroundings.
Example:
▶ A navigation app that provides route suggestions based on
current traffic and GPS data.

14. Distributed Systems in Mobile Computing
▶ Distributed systems enable multiple devices to work together
to achieve a common goal.
▶ Mobile devices often rely on cloud services or peer-to-peer
communication.

15. Distributed Systems in Mobile Computing
▶ Distributed systems enable multiple devices to work together
to achieve a common goal.
▶ Mobile devices often rely on cloud services or peer-to-peer
communication.
Example:
▶ Mobile cloud gaming where game data is processed on servers
and streamed to mobile devices.

16. Pervasive Computing
▶ Smart spaces: Environments embedded with sensors and
devices that interact with mobile users.
▶ Invisibility: Technology that operates in the background
without requiring user intervention.

17. Pervasive Computing
▶ Smart spaces: Environments embedded with sensors and
devices that interact with mobile users.
▶ Invisibility: Technology that operates in the background
without requiring user intervention.
Example:
▶ A smart home system that adjusts lighting and temperature
based on the user’s location and preferences.

18. Conclusion
▶ Mobile computing is rapidly evolving, incorporating
technologies that enhance networking, adaptability, energy
efficiency, and location awareness.
▶ Future developments will lead to more seamless,
context-aware interactions between users and their devices.