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Chapter X2

On the Move with the : Libraries and Mobile Technologies Ellyssa Kroski

Mobile Devices

hoosing a cell phone today is an intricate process The lines of delineation between types of mobile that involves researching mobile devices, manu- phones are becoming increasingly amorphous, as hybrid Cfacturers, carriers, available features, and package phones now offer crossover in form and functionality. plans. It can seem overwhelming to the uninitiated. Still, The T-Mobile Sidekick is a phone with a built- with a little priming, almost everyone can manage to make in MP3 player that offers games, e-mail, IM, a mini SD a smart and informed decision on their next device. memory slot, and a full QWERTY keyboard. The sleek BlackBerry Pearl looks like a typical bar phone, but this compact model offers functionality, including Devices Web access, e-mail, and expandable memory. In short, cell phones are offering much more functionality than mere There are many different types, styles, and models of voice capabilities at this point, and the size and shape of mobile phones available on the market today. They range the phone is no longer an indication of its potential. from and PDAs to camera phones and Another phone that could be considered a hybrid multimedia phones to , with much overlap is the smartphone, such as the HTC Touch, between them. which lets users interact with the device by touching the The standard-size “flip” “slider” and “candy bar” style screen or using a . The most recognizable touch- phones, such as the and ’s screen to date is the iPhone. Hailed as the UpStage, are most often multimedia phones that allow users “mobile Web killer” by Forrester analysts, the iPhone to download and , TV and , and presents whole Web pages via its Safari browser, rather send multimedia messages. And frequently, they are also than simplified ones made for the mobile Web. This offers camera phones, enabling their owners to take photos and iPhone users the full browser experience of the desktop shoot . More than half of all cell phones sold today have Web, rather than dealing with bare-bones Web pages a built-in camera, making the mobile phone a candidate to that have been designed to be viewed on the portable one day supplant the completely. . This multimedia phone sold more than half a Smartphones, such as Research in Motion’s (RIM) million devices in its opening weekend.2 Yet even among BlackBerry, , N Series, and Palm Treo, enthusiasts, there were criticisms of the shortcomings of are devices that offer computing capabilities in addition the device, including the slow Web connection via AT&T’s to conventional mobile phone functions. A relative of the EDGE network, which is not a technology; no initial PDA, a smartphone typically runs its own operating sys- Exchange support; and lack of compatibility tem, allows users to install applications, frequently sports with and Java technologies. a QWERTY keyboard, and offers device owners advanced features such as e-mail, , mobile Web Mobile Phone Manufacturers browsing, office applications, expandable memory, and desktop synchronization. More than 115 million of these Mobile phone manufacturers strive to offer consumers July 2008 July ReportsLibrary Technology www.techsource.ala.org smart devices shipped in 2007 alone.1 a range of devices and are in a constant competition to 10 Library Technology Reports www.techsource.ala.org July 2008 11 We 7 36.2% 14.0% 14.0% 11.4% 7.7% 3.7% 2.4% 1.2% 1.1% 8.1% It provides a framework for location-based services,location-based for framework a provides It 6 Microsoft Microsoft can be found on over 35 Nokia Motorola Ericsson Samsung RIM LG Sanyo Apple Palm Other digital TV, advanced camera features, push VOIP, e-mail (see below), and platform can be found on syncing. Nokia phones as well The Samsung devices. LG, and as on Motorola, million mobile phones across the globe, including those from Motorola, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, and Palm. Figure 5 Figure Converged smart mobile device market: smartphones and handhelds. Source: “Smart Mobile Device Shipments Third Hit 118 Million in 2007, Up 53% on 2006—Apple Takes Place in Global Hardware Market in Q4,” Canalys Research, Feb. 5, 2008, www.canalys.com/pr/2008/r2008021.htm. (accessed Feb. 24, 2008). Table 2 Table handset data, January 2008. Source: . Worldwide Sony Ericsson, Samsung, Siemens AG, and . It can be found on more than 200 million phones wide. - world may may also see Windows Mobile running on the T-Mobile

5 4 But there are several 3 52.9% 11.4% 6.5% 6.5% 22.7% RIM, the Canadian company Research in Motion, The Symbian is owned by a consor- a by owned operatingis Symbian system The According to a January Metrics According 2008 AdMob Report, Nokia RIM Apple Motorola Others Shares, Q4 2007 Smartphone Market Worldwide one adding electronicsadding one expertise, the other- communica a tions specialization. one thealso BlackBerry,is producing for known is which market. the on manufacturers device mobile largest the of the include market phone mobile the oft-imitated in competitors Otherthe by famous made Inc., Motorola, Illinois-based South from companies both LG, and Samsung phone; RAZR iPhone Apple’s Although Apple. and most recently, Korea; launched late in the year and in a limited number of coun- tries, it managed to match Motorola for third place in the in the fourthglobal market quarter of 2007 (see table 1). other major contenders, including the Company, which is Sony a partnership between Ericsson Japan’s Sony Corporation and the Swedish Ericsson telecommunica- tions company. The two decided to cease creating their own mobile phones and team up in a cent of venture an ’80s - reminis Reese’s ButterPeanut Cup ad campaign, Table 1 Table Converged smart mobile device market: smartphones and wireless handhelds. Source: Canalys Research. One of the principal reasons why ment application for mobile - develop devices is such an arduous task is the dizzying number of operating systems found on today’s are operatingsystems mobile 40 and Between30 phones. choose may manufacturers device and available, currently this From themtheirlines. of in product number a use to platformsof handful a that emerges overwhelmingcrowd on thecan be found majority 5). of devices (see figure Nokia, including devices, mobile of manufacturers of tium Operating Systems which seeks to identify trends in the smartphone ket by tallying mar- ad impressions served on mobile phones, the top device manufacturers worldwide include Nokia, Ericsson respectively and Sony (see tableMotorola, 2). outdo one another. The current global market leader is the Finnish Nokia Corporation, which shipped a total of 60.5 million smartphones in 2007. 12 Library Technology Reports www.techsource.ala.org July 2008 ent capabilities, they also vary according to mobile car- mobile to according vary also they capabilities, ent although they are heavily dependent on the phone’s inher- that, note to important is it features, With plans. carrier through on added be may prein - others and devices, come on stalled features these of Some devices. handheld today’s for available features of range wide a are There Mobile PhoneFeatures just from companies(seefigure 6). ofthose three services their receive subscribers phone cell of 70% full a And Alltel. and T-Mobile, Wireless, competitors major five AT&T Wireless,Nextel, Sprint market: U.S. but the dominate world, the around riers,” “car- or operators, phone mobile of hundreds are There Mobile PhoneCarriers culator, andiTunes. notes, cal- calendar,weather, as such applications and support, browser, Safari iPoda with comes It system. operating X OS Mac Apple’s versiona uses iPhone the of capabilities. book, expense program, date memo pad, to-do ,list, and syncing book, address the as such applications with standard comes It devices. Treo company’s the of many on running found be can which OS, Palm the are mightbe. motivation primary their what yet unclear is it and ventures, both to themselves attached have companies same the of some that note to Samsung, Motorola,interesting is It Vodafone,DoCoMo, others. and LG, NTT including carriers, phone mobile and manufacturers device major includes LiMo initiative. -run the to response direct a be to seems which phones, mobile for platform -based a co-develop to mission the with recently formed been has LiMo called consortium A Motorola. as such companies from phones for system mobilephones. ating are working they developto Android, Linux-baseda oper- Together on. signed haveall Samsung and LG, DoCoMo, NTT Nextel, Sprint T-Mobile, Motorola, as players major Such phones. mobile for standards open develop to nies, compa- and operators, manufacturers, up major of made initiative an is which Alliance, Handset Open Notes. e-mail,andLotus Microsoft Exchange with providessupport forsidethethumbwheel, synchronization formdesigned specifically forthe manufacturer’s devices. It andGPSsupport. Mobile, , tures push e-mail, , manufacturer, Danger, in early 2008. The popular OS fea - Sidekick the bought Microsoft as long, before Sidekick Other Other operating systems to be aware of in the market The Linux OS is used primarily in China and Japan on the called consortium a organized has Google RIM’s BlackBerry operating system is a proprietary plat- 8 Benchmark 2007. Market shareofU.S.cellphonecarriers.ource:Forrester Figure 6 which outlines what can be done with the mobileWeb. the which outlineswhatcanbedone with chapter,next the in detail further in these of many upon markettoday.touch We will the featureson of range the delving following too deep, the are presented to illustrate Without process. selection the down narrow to order in have list of must-haves or “requirements” for a new device will shoppers Informed point. starting helpful a provides sion. Having an idea of what kinds of features are availabledeci - a making before plans, packaged as such offerings, carrier’s their also but capabilities, device the only not research to want phone. will phones same mobile of buyers the Potential of versions different even different or of phones matrices feature produce users lets which sites, Web their on function “compare” a offer facturers of but patience, it can be done. Most mobile phone manu- amount fair a researchand skillful some takes variations down inparticular. toany carrier which isnottied phone, “unlocked” an retailers online through purchase to possible also is it matters, complicate further Torier. car- the by sold devices the of all with compatible be not may it but package, music a offer may choice of carrier customer’sa Alternatively, service. area offersthat the in but nection, users may thatfind only one mobile operator con- network 3G a of capable another. be may phone at a Likewise, camera megapixel 1.3 a and carrier one at camera megapixel 2.0 a with smartphone same the find may who consumers, for confusing very be all can This carriers. competing to phone model same the of versions different release sometimes will manufacturers And rier. • such as headsets with microphones, within ranges up technology are able to communicate with accessories, Bluetooth Purchasing a mobile device with so many options and —Phones and PDAs with Bluetooth Wireless Library Technology Reports www.techsource.ala.org July 2008 13 —Similar to —Similar —Software such as is derived from the from derived is QWERTY —This feature enables phone —This feature —This indicatesfeature the - pres —Since smartphones—Since contin have - —Organizational and productiv - —Phones with memory card slots —This hands-free option allows talk- —This means that the mobile device sup- —This service, offered by most carriers, allows allows carriers, most by offered service, —This —Many —Many phones have music capabilities. They —Video playback on camera phones with cam- Live TV Live cell phone owners to watch live, full-length sion on programs their phones. The service televi provides - a program guide with scheduling information, and some carriers enable users to sign up for reminder alerts for their favorite shows. It is useful that different to carriers, and also note different plans, offer channel lineups. different Memory card slot adding memoryby phone’s the expand to users allow memory Flash card. a removable Mobile office found be can PowerPoint and Excel, Word, Microsoft applications smartphoneon many devices. Music come pre-packaged with built-in MP3 users to listenallow to players radio channels and download and songs through carrier portals. Others to allow listen users to music through media Windows Media Player players or iTunes and transfer songs such as theirfrom PC to their mobile devices. as Phone a modem capabil- the have them of many Web, the to access ual ity to act as a modem for a - , provid ing a high-speed Internet connection travelers for or those without access to a network. messaging videomultimedia and Picture some allows feature , recent this more phones to instantly send photos and video filescontacts to the across country. Productivity tools ity tools such as planners and schedulers, task lists, memo pads, alarm , and mobile phones. of today’s on many found can be Quad band ports four cellular frequency bands and can operate anywhere in the world. Phones with this capability phones. to as “global” or “world” oftenare referred QWERTY keyboard thebody on keyboard English-language full a of ence termThe thephone. of six lettersfirst on the top left of keyboard. the SMS text messaging owners to instantly send and receive short text mes- other to and from users. sages wireless Speakerphone ers to take part in a conversation while doing other things. This type of feature is usually built in to the device rather than as a service. offered Video also are there However, feature. common a is corders phones capable of showing cellular video clips, such as music videos, movie and DVD trailers, short TV • • • • • • • • • • • • —This is the ability to con- —It is possible for many —Digital in many of today’s cell —The majority of mobile devices on the mar- —The mobile e-mail feature available on today’s today’s on available feature e-mail mobile —The (global positioning system)—A GPS-enabled phone phone GPS-enabled system)—A positioning (global —Cell phones with instant-messaging abilities enable owners to take part in live text IM buddies through an installed chats application without with the need to open a . messaging Not all clients instant- are available for this time; however, AIM, mobile Yahoo!, and Windows Live IM at messengers are widely offered. Owners may need to thesedownload applications themselves. ket offer games to their users, and many phones have have phones many and users, their to games offer ket several of these on-the-go preinstalled sources and available with of the device purchase. amusement Most carriers also make it possible for game lovers to shop for and download new diversions through 1-click access to mobile stores. GPS is able to use system satellite the users navigational global allows feature This location. its identify always to to utilize applications such as mapping and - navigat ing software with turn-by-turn directions, emergency locater services, social networks. and location-aware IM to 10 meters without being connected by wires or being within line of sight. Camera phones range in quality from 1.3 to 5.0 megapixels and are capable of capturing high-resolution images. Some of these devices are also with the ability to shoot video footage. Desktop synchronization nect a mobile device with a PC or laptop computer. Software is by provided the mobile carrier for instal- lation on the computer, which will then be able to interact with the mobile device adding for and delet- transferringpho- and ringtones,music, programs ing to and tos, and video files from the phone. Downloadable content handhelds can mean very different things depend- ing on the provider and the type of phone. E-mail– capable phones may simply provide the user Internet with links to Web-based e-mail as accounts Yahoo! and Hotmail. such This type of feature neces- sitates to accessing interactthein order mobile Web to as with what is referred Some devices offer e-mail. directly messages e-mail delivers which e-mail, “push” to the phone and alerts owners when they new have messages. And “hybrid” e-mail services are available, which offer new-message notifications but their e-mail. to acquire users to access the Web require Games phones to download mobile games, third-party ring- tones, graphics, and applications. store, carrier’s a through These bought be applicationsmay found by browsing the mobile Web, or transferred PC. an owner’s from E-mail • • • • • • • 14 Library Technology Reports www.techsource.ala.org July 2008 Mobile Internet technologies Table 3 a clear picture of what is included with each device. It will getorderto in Web sites carrier feature-shopmultiple on • • s rvosy etoe, t s ut iprat to important quite is it mentioned, previously As second.) for acablemodemconnection. per (megabits Mbps 1.5 of minimum a and nection con- dial-up a for second) per (kilobits Kbps 56 are asaccessedfrom adesktopcomputer Internet of the speeds transmission the mind in keep to helpful be may it perspective, some Togive technologies. these of speeds approximate the shows 3 Table however. phone technology. Not all of today’s offerings are 3G, mobile in generation third the indicates which tion, quality standard latest is the the 3G broadband but network models, connec- phone and carriers between varies technologies these of Use transmission. data of speeds varying offering standards, and nologies - tech cellular different through connections Internet URLs. in typing for bars address with browsers Web HTML have likely very will systems operating own theirhave that devices mobile other andPDAs, Smartphones, sites. Web specific to browse to sible search,sports, etc., making it very difficult if not impos- e-mail, news, as such information Web-based access to options of list anumbered with interface specific carrier- a have often most will access Web have that phones multimedia and greatly.phones Camera vary some level of Internet access, but the experiences can Web-enabled voice samplesandpatterns. with application the owners must take part in a setup process that provides in order number. that to contact automatically Device arecalling they person the of name the speak callers Voicedialing on phones. their for viewing desktop their from files video transfer also can players media with devices of Users reports. weather and clips, sports episodes, EDG (nhancedDataratesforG SM Evolution) GPRS (GeneralacketRadioervice) HSDP EV-DO (Evolution-Dataptimized) Technology Mobile phones are now able to acquire high-speed A (High-SpeedDownlinkPacketAccess) Mn o tdys oie eie offer devices mobile today’s of —Many —The voice-activated—Thedialingfeature lets

AT&T, T-Mobile T-Mobile AT&T Sprint, Alltel Verizon Wireless, Carriers WhoOffer 5 e mnh n wud e ihy eomne for recommended highly texting. tostart whohavethose any intention be would and month per $5 additional an as forplan little shopper’s as a to on added if message per don’thavethey plancoverage. bundlescanbe Messaging $.20 to up receiver the and sender the both cost communication, of form popular increasingly an becoming are which messages, Text messaging. text include they not or whether is summaries plan the from loading videos. downas - such activities high- in part take those who for useful especially is It month. the throughout usageabout concerns alleviating content, heart’s their to Webphone plan ownersthe an data lets unlimited utilize Having month. per approximately$15 at starting carrier, every nearly by offered is which plan, data unlimited the usage per month. The most appealing bandwidth of these packages of is amounts varying to owners device entitle that available plans data are there regularly, e-mail and Web mobile the to access having in interested users for dependent packageson activating offered by carriers. But Many of the features mentioned above, from. such as choose live to TV, areconsumers for available plans data and feature, voice, of surplus a have carriers phone Mobile Data Plans that is very similar is iPhone to very in that the appearance and func- Web. The iPod Touch is an MP3 player and Internet device devices on the market today that offer access to the mobile In addition to the cell phone, there are many other mobile Other Devices andprice. ofcontent greatly may interms vary they each that carrier in geographica particular area offers, as plans data of types the of idea havean to helpful be also n apc o dt pas ht s o awy clear always not is that plans data of aspect One No No Yes Yes 3G? 384 Kbps 56–114 Kbps 400–700 Kbps 400–700 Kbps Download Speed Library Technology Reports www.techsource.ala.org July 2008 15

Feb. 13, 2008, www.wired.com/ 2008, 13, Feb. Wired, BusinessWeek, Feb. 12, 2008, www.business gadgets/miscellaneous/news/2008/02/gsma_wrapup 21, 2008). (accessed Feb. 24, 2008). Symbian_OS (accessed Feb. 24, 2008). (accessed Feb. Windows_Mobile (accessed Feb. 24, 2008). (accessed Feb. Software.” screens, Platform.” Last100, Jan. 22, 2008/01/22/apple--touch-first-mainstream-wifi-mobile 2008, www.last100.com/ 7, 2008). -platform Feb. (accessed 24, 2008). wiki/Open_Handset_Alliance (accessed Feb. 24, 2008). (accessed Feb. 24, 2008). wiki/Personal_digital_assistant (accessed Feb. _034898.htm?campaign_id=rss_tech 21, 2008). (accessed Feb. Ibid. Charles S. Golvin, “Benchmark 2007: Mobile’s The Most 28, 2007. Sept. Research, Mainstream,” Forrester “Smart Mobile Device Shipments Hit 118 Million in 2007, Up 53% on 2006—Apple Takes Hardware Market in Q4,” Canalys Research, Feb. 5, Third 2008, Place in Global www.canalys.com/pr/2008/r2008021.htm (accessed Feb. 24, 2008). Charles S. Golvin, 6, 2007. July “The Research, Forrester iPhone Is 2007.” in A Million 118 ShipmentsHit Device “SmartMobile Win-Win-Win,” Ibid. “AdMob Mobile Metrics Report,” AdMob, Jan. 2008, www .admob.com/marketing/pdf/mobile_metrics_jan_08.pdf 23, 2008). (accessed Feb. Jennifer L. Schenker, “Who Will Control Handsets?” the Heart of week.com/globalbiz/content/feb2008/gb20080212 7. 8. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. “Symbian OS.” , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ “Windows Mobile.” Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Sorrel, Sorrel, Charlie. “Phone Industry Plays Catch-Up with ­ Touch O’Hear, Steve. “Apple: iPod Touch First Mainstream Wi-Fi Mobile Wi-Fi Mainstream First Touch iPod “Apple: Steve. O’Hear, “.” Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/ “Palm OS.” Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_OS http://en.wikipedia.org/ Assistant.”Wikipedia, Digital “Personal http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smartphone Wikipedia, “Smartphone.”

Notes

New York York New Jan. BusinessWeek, Nov. 25, 2007, www.nytimes.com/2007/11/25/tech 2007, 25, Nov. Times, nology/25proto.html?ex=1353646800&en=1ede36007f8 baff4&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink(accessed Jan. 3, 2008). 20, 2007. Sept. Research, Forrester Devices and Access.” 2008). www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jan 2008, 22, 2008/tc20080121_579060.htm?campaign_id=rss_tech(accessed Jan. 22, 2008). 24, 2008). (accessed Feb. LiMo_Foundation .org/wiki/Android_mobile_phone (accessed Feb. 24, 2008). (accessed Feb. .org/wiki/Android_mobile_phone Createlf, Feb. 24, 2008). view/354/4 (accessed Feb. 22, 2008, www.createlf.com/content/ Many Many other non-phone-enabled devices, such as the Computer are shrinking in size as the push Although it may not have direct access, the Apple Golvin, Charles S. “Benchmark 2007: The Five-Year Forecast for for Forecast Five-Year The 2007: “Benchmark S. Charles Golvin, “iPhone.” Mahalo, www.mahalo.com/IPhone 17, (accessed Feb. Android.” for Welcome Warm “A Olga. Kharif, “LiMo Foundation.” Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Ferraro, Ferraro, Ric. “Mobile World Congress 2008—A Summary.” Far” So Yet Close So Web: “Mobile Michael. Fitzgerald, “Android (Mobile Phone Platform).” Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia Wikipedia, Platform).” Phone (Mobile “Android Mobile Devices Resources Resources Mobile Devices and Reports tionality. It is available with storage capacities of and up iPhone, the as system to operating same theruns 32GB, is able to run nearly all of the same applications Bluetoothcamera, sup- built-in a lacks Touch The as sibling. its port, cellular service and EDGE technology, and instead via WiFi networks. accesses the Web HP iPAQ series, are available that allow Internet access and computing abilities. These gadgets can be referred to as Pocket PCs, PDAs, handhelds, or simply InternetDell, as such companies by manufactured are and devices Hewlett-Packard, Nokia, HTC, and others. for mobility increases among buyers. New Ultra large as Mobile scarcely are Shift, HTCthe as such (UMPCs), PCs to 4 from ranging displays screen with book, paperback a as readers e-book 7 Kindle inches. And the slightly ’s bigger of weigh in at Owners pounds. 2 around e-books, take as well as Web the browse to abilitythe have Even they withgo. newspapers themand wherever , some handheld game systems, such as the PSP and Sony Nintendo users to surf the DS, allow mobile Web. - infor amountsof large store and download to able is iPod mation from the Web, such as , files, and videos, soforth, audio to take on thego, and is a device to consider when creating .