Wireless Internet Technologies and Applications

Scope Rules The scope of a variable is the portion of the program in which the identifier can be referenced. A local variable declared in a WMLScript function can be used only in that function. All WMLScript variables are local. ... [full story]

Duration of Identifiers Chapters 13–15 used identifiers for variable names. The attributes of variables include name, value and data type (such as string, number or boolean). We also use identifiers as names for user-defined functions. Each identifier in a program ... [full story]

Random Number Generation There is something in the air of a gambling casino that invigorates people, from the highrollers at the plush mahogany-and-felt craps tables to the quarter-poppers at the one-armed bandits. It is the element of chance, the possibility ... [full story]

Function Definitions Thus far, we have discussed existing functions that are built into WMLScript objects. We now consider how programmers write their own customized functions and call them in a script. Consider a script (Fig. 16.2) that uses a programmer-defined ... [full story]

Programmer-Defined Functions Functions allow the programmer to modularize a program. All variables declared in function definitions are local variables—they are known only in the function in which they are defined. Most functions have a list of parameters that provide the ... [full story]

Program Modules in WMLScript Modules in WMLScript are called functions. WMLScript programs are written by combining new functions that the programmer writes with “prepackaged” functions and objects available in WMLScript. The “prepackaged” functions that belong to WMLScript objects (such as ... [full story]

218 Introduction to Wireless Markup Language (WML): Part II Chapter 14 © Copyright 2001 by Deitel & Associates, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Review Packet 3/21/01. Chapter 14 Introduction to Wireless Markup Language (WML): Part II 219 © Copyright 2001 by ... [full story]

Program Modules in WMLScript Modules in WMLScript are called functions. WMLScript programs are written by combining new functions that the programmer writes with “prepackaged” functions and objects available in WMLScript. The “prepackaged” functions that belong to WMLScript objects (such as ... [full story]

Palm™ and Palm OS® Objectives • To examine the world of Palm Computing. • To explore the hardware design of Palm devices. • To discuss application and software types available for handheld devices. • To provide users with resources for ... [full story]

Future of Wireless Technologies The future of wireless technologies is exciting. Developments are enhancing not only transmission speeds but also the types of information (e.g., multimedia and video) that can be transmitted from one user to another. These advances continue ... [full story]

Other Platforms Additional wireless technologies and platforms are under development for 3G networks. EPOC is an operating system deployed by Symbian for wireless devices. Another platform, Binary Run Time Environment for Wireless (BREW), is an operating platform that allows users ... [full story]

Languages Wireless development includes not only the technologies we have discussed throughout this chapter but also many different protocols, platforms and programming languages are used to build and enhance all areas of communications technologies. The following sections focus on a ... [full story]

2.5G and Third Generation (3G) Wireless Technologies The intermediate step between 2G and 3G networks is called 2.5G technology. 2.5G includes networks with transmission speeds of 100Kbps and supports various data technologies. Third generation (3G) technology will enable wireless devices ... [full story]

Second Generation Wireless Technologies (2G) Second generation (2G) wireless technology encompasses the majority of present technologies and will provide support for future communications systems (i.e., 2.5G, 3G and 4G). The following sections explore some of these technologies including Personal Communications ... [full story]

First Generation Technology (1G) and AMPS First-generation wireless technology is based on analog signals. Analog signals are radio transmissions sent in a wave-like form. A mobile device sends the waves to a base station where they are processed to determine ... [full story]

SyncML Initiative Most mobile devices, whether laptop computers, mobile phones or PDAs, share information among each other using non-compatible technologies and function across different networks. This sharing of information between mobile devices such that information is stored in multiple areas ... [full story]

Satellite Communications Satellite communications provide an alternative for creating wireless networks communications systems. Satellites have been used by government and industry for decades, but it was not until the last ten years that satellite networks have been commercially used for ... [full story]

Network Access & Information Sharing Technologies Throughout this chapter, we discuss a variety of wireless devices, networks and other communications systems, each using technologies to communicate with other devices, networks or systems. This section focuses on four major technologies that ... [full story]

Wireless Access Service Providers (WASPs) Wireless Internet access and mobile services are strong forces behind the growth of the technology market. This section introduces companies that provide users with the ability to connect to the wireless Internet using mobile devices. ... [full story]

Hardware The proliferation of consumer devices such as personal digital assistants (PDAs), digital cell phones and two-way pagers is driving the demand for m-business. Wireless devices enabled with Internet access allow users to manage their information while away from their ... [full story]

International Wireless Technologies and Markets Over 300 million people outside the United States have cell phones, with the number rapidly increasing each month. [*** “Top International Wireless Markets 2000" <www.refreq.com/Facts_Stats/Top_intmarket.htm>***] Exact figures vary, but by all analyst accounts, it is ... [full story]

Evolution of Wireless in the United States and Globally Cell-phone owners around the world do not limit their cell phone applications to voice service as Americans tend to do. This section explores some technological, economic, political and cultural differences between ... [full story]

International Regulation of Wireless Communications Each country has its own wireless network regulations, and many have separate regulatory bodies devoted to telecommunications. Without international cooperation and communication, this situation creates fractured networks and standards and results in poor international wireless ... [full story]

Web Accessibility Enabling your Web site to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities is an issue relevant to all businesses. Persons with disabilities make up a significant portion of the population, and legal ramifications exist for Web sites that ... [full story]

Socio-Economic Segregation The “digital divide,” a common term for socio-economic segregation created by the Internet, is a growing problem. [***J. Fallows, “The Other Divide,” The Industry Standard 10 January - 17 January 2000: 47.***] It involves the cost of acquiring ... [full story]

Health and Safety Wireless communications, despite the conveniences they afford, present some health concerns. In recent years, there has been speculation that the radiation emitted from cell phones was a carcinogen (a cancer-causing agent). [***A. Dornan, “Killer Aps,” Network Magazine ... [full story]

Internet Taxation Internet taxation is a controversial and complex issue. While one side argues for a permanent ban on Internet taxation, the other maintains the necessity of taxing Internet sales. The geographic locations of the vendors, consumers, ISPs, servers and ... [full story]

Cybercrime While the Internet provides a wide variety of opportunities, it also hosts criminal activity. Auctions, chat rooms and bulletin boards are among the most popular forums for illegal activities. In this section, we explore cybercrimes and present resources for ... [full story]

Legal Issues: Other Areas of Concern In this section, we explore defamation, sexually explicit speech, copyrights, patents, trademarks, unsolicited e-mails and online auctions, and we examine these issues in the context of Internet and the First Amendment. The First Amendment ... [full story]

Privacy and Wireless Communication As we discuss in Chapter 4, e-Marketing and m-Marketing, wireless communication has the advantage of location-based services. When Phase II of the E911 Act is initiated (it is due to be implemented in October 2001), wireless ... [full story]

Wireless Internet Regulation Wireless communication occurs over a specified range of frequencies in the radio spectrum. Remote controls, cell phones and government defense systems operate on the same spectrum. [***S. Labaton, “A Turf Fight for the Airwaves,” The New York ... [full story]

Steganography Steganography is the practice of hiding information within other information. The term literally means “covered writing.” Like cryptography, steganography has been used since ancient times. Steganography allows you to take a piece of information, such as a message or ... [full story]