Hardware

 
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
desktop computers. PDAs, such as the Palm handheld computer and the Pocket PC (Palm
devices are discussed in Chapter 11, Palm & Palm OS; Pocket PCs are examined in Chapter
12, Windows CE & Pocket PC), as well as digital cell phones and laptop computers, allow
users to buy airline tickets and groceries, trade stocks and check their e-mail from remote
locations. [***B. Issberner, “How ‘Context Switch Radios’ Will Streamline with Personal
Area Networks,” Wireless Integration <wi.pennwellnet.com/home/articles>
1 March 2000.***] These examples represent only a small fraction of the
conveniences provided by wireless Internet access and mobile devices. In fact, outside the
United States, mobile phones are the preferred medium for getting information and making
e-business transactions [***P. Seybold, “Dial M for Commerce,” Business 2.0 April
2000: 113-114.***].
10.2.1 Handsets and Cell Phones
Handsets are the physical devices that consumers interact with to send and receive voice
calls and data messages. These devices are built with antennas for signal transmission,
number pads for dialing, speaker and microphone for voice communications, the operating
system which controls how the phone operates and the computer chips needed to complete
cellular communications and other functions. Ericsson, Motorola™ and Nokia® are among
the most popular handset manufacturers. Their product offerings vary in size, shape, color
and graphics display (Fig. 10.1). Flip-phones are compact versions of handsets which fold
up to minimize their size, while color shields can change the image and look of a phone to
almost any color desired by the user.
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Fig. 10.1 Motorola’s V series™ Phone model 66, Nokia’s 252 series and Ericsson’s
T20e are examples of handsets available on the market. [***Permission
requested Nokia, Motorola and Ericsson 05-14-2001***].
Standard features of cell phones include support for both digital and analog signals
(digital is the most used), phone books, caller ID and voicemail—both signal types are
explained in Chapter 10, Wireless Technologies II.
Other handsets have a few distinguishing features that set them apart. For example, a
new development by Motorola enhances the display screen by using organic electro-luminescent
(OEL) technology. OEL allows users to view the display screen on a handset in
three colors—green, blue and red. [***M. Wolf, “Motorola Timeport P8767 Review,”
<www.dailyradar.com/reviews/game_review_1306.html>***]. Fullcolor
screens are available for some phones (e.g., i-mode handsets discussed in Chapter 23,
i-mode), but are currently not widely manufactured. OEL increases visibility and clarity of
graphics on cell phones. This technology is used in the Motorola Timeport™ P8767.
Some cell phones have voice-recognition technology—a user can dial a number or
check messages on a phone using voice commands. Voice recognition is explained in
Chapter 31, Multimedia and Voice Technology. Others handsets can access the Web, check
e-mail and host games. As technology evolves, it is possible that mobile phones will
become a person’s link to all personal, social and business issues. In addition, manufacturers
are developing new ways to bring cell-phone use to everyone including disposable
phones—phones that can be used and then thrown away. Other low-cost alternatives are
offered by companies like Telespree (see Telespree Feature).
To turn a handset into a cell phone, wireless service must be provided to the device.
SprintPCS™, AT&T Wireless and Verizon Wireless™ are a few of the providers that offer
mobile communications service over cellular networks— these companies are discussed
later in this chapter.
Feature: Telespree
Cell phones have become a part of our everyday lives. However, the cost of handsets
service plans have kept millions of people from using cell services. Today, many manufacturers
are looking for new ways to bring cell phones to the masses. Telespree
(www.telespree.com), founded in 1999, is developing low-cost, no-activation
(users do not have to purchase service from a wireless access service provider to make
calls) phones (Fig. 10.2).
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©Copyright 2001 Deitel and Associates Inc. All Rights Reserved
Telespree identifies their phones as “over-the-counter-wireless” options. Consumers
can purchase the phone from a drug store, grocery store or mall at 1/3 the cost
(approximately $30) of a standard cell phone. Telespree phones include a certain
number of prepaid minutes. Once all the minutes are used, customers can either buy
additional minutes with a replaceable airtime cartridge called an AirClip™, which
snaps onto the back of the phone, or purchase another phone. The AirClip also contains
the battery needed to run the phone. It is less expensive to buy additional AirClips, and
if for some reason the phone is lost or damaged, then it can be replaced easily and inexpensively.
Feature: Telespree
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10.2.2 Pagers
Pagers are one of the first widely used methods of wireless communications. They allow
users to receive text messages from conventional phones or cell phones. Similar to cell
Telespree phones are designed to work on GSM networks (GSM is discussed in
Chapter 10, Wireless Communications Technologies). To date, users can make calls
but cannot receive them. Telespree is developing this feature for future phone releases.
In addition, users can access the Internet and dial using voice commands. The phone
interface includes a microphone, speaker and two buttons—the on/off power button
and the automatic emergency 911 button (Fig. 10.2)
Unlike standard cell phones, which are assigned telephone numbers, disposable
phones are assigned handle numbers—short number sequences that uniquely identify
each phone. This allows consumers to use the phone without registering (activating)
with a wireless access service provider or paying monthly service fees. [***M. Dano,
“Telespree Phone Gives Users Wireless Access without the Heavy Commitment,”
RCR Wireless News 19 March 20001: 16***].
Fig. 10.2 Telespree handset (Courtesy of Telespree
Feature: Telespree
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phones, pagers vary in size, shape and color. In addition, many service providers and plans
exist. Unlike cell phones calling plans, pager plans do not charge on a per-minute basis.
Pagers are designed to store messages, alert users when new messages arrive and show caller
identification or message information. Pager plans have rates based on the number of
messages sent and received as well as the number of pages stored per month. They are compact
and portable and are widely used as an alternative, or in addition to, cell phones or
PDAs.
Pagers use three types of messaging technology. The first allows the transfer of only
numbers. People can send telephone numbers to pagers so that users can be contacted while
they are mobile. For example, if a nurse needs to reach a doctor for an emergency, the nurse
could use the telephone, call the doctor’s pager number, leave a message and then the
doctor would be notified immediately of the situation.
People not only transmit their phone numbers over the paging system but use strings
of numbers as codes to represent messages. Some codes, like 911, represent an emergency
or an urgent message. Other codes are relevant to a specific individual or group (e.g., doctors,
employees of the same company or groups of friends). This type of technology is
known as one-way numeric paging. Text and voice communications are not possible in this
system.
Using text-based messaging, a person is able to receive text and voice mail notification
messages via a pager. This is a one-way communication form known as one-way text messaging.
The third and most recent development in paging technology is two-way interactive
communication. People can now send and receive text messages with individuals on handheld
paging devices or cell phones. Some companies provide e-mail solutions in addition
to two-way interactive messaging (see the Research In Motion Feature).
Research In Motion: The BlackBerry™ Handheld
The BlackBerry handheld device from Research In Motion Limited (RIM) is one of the
most popular wireless e-mail solutions (Fig. 10.3) [***<www.rim.net>.***]
Available in both pager-sized and palm-sized units, the devices include a keypad, making
it easy to type messages quickly.
RIM has developed wireless handhelds that support both industry-leading widearea
wireless data network protocols, DataTAC® Network and Mobitex Network. Both
DataTAC and Mobitex are personal communications services (PCS) networks that
enable wide-area wireless data communication. The protocols provide in-building penetration,
roaming, messaging services and guaranteed delivery and reliability (Networks
are discussed in later in this chapter).
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Fig. 10.3 BlackBerry home page. (Courtesy of Research In Motion Limited. The
BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are
the exclusive properties of, and trademarks of Research In Motion
Limited, used by permission.)
A variety of services are available for the BlackBerry handhelds. The BlackBerry
Exchange Edition is a secure, wireless e-mail service for businesses using Microsoft
Exchange (www.microsoft.com/exchange). This service includes e-mail and
organizer software, desktop software, optional server software, the ability to integrate
a mailbox with Microsoft Exchange and flat-rate airtime. The BlackBerry Internet Edition
allows mobile users to access e-mail without the need to dial into an Internet Service
Provider (ISP) for access. Visit www.rim.net/products/handhelds/
service.html#Exchange for information about BlackBerry services.)
The RIM Developer Zone (www.developers.rim.net) provides information
for software developers interested in building applications to be used on RIM devices.
The Web site has links to tools, discussions, FAQs, downloads and documentation.
Research In Motion: The BlackBerry™ Handheld (Cont.)
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10.2.3 Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs)
The use of PDAs has exploded in the wireless market and their popularity continues to
grow. Companies like Palm™, Microsoft®, Sony®, Compaq and Handspring® develop
small, mobile devices that allow users to connect to the Internet. PDA technology allows
users to access the World Wide Web to check stock quotes, send and receive e-mail, make
travel arrangements, find directions, make reservations, shop online and the like. PDAs are
also used as organizers to store contact information, appointments and other personal information.
In addition, PDAs are equipped with infrared technology to communicate and
share information with other devices. Future PDAs will use Bluetooth technology. Infrared
and Bluetooth technologies are discussed later in this chapter. Bluetooth is also examined
in detail in Chapter 23, Bluetooth.
PDA technology has opened numerous opportunities for business and consumer applications.
Employees can now access company information from remote locations without
having to use PCs or laptop computers. Doctors and medical staff use PDAs to share patient
information and write digital prescriptions. Consumers are using PDAs for applications
ranging from shopping and travel to entertainment and finance. Wireless applications are
discussed in Chapter 2, m-Business.
Security and privacy are important concerns with wireless communications. Secure
transactions give users confidence to continue using their PDAs for wireless communications
and information-sharing activities. Privacy issues include who has access to personal
information and how that information is used. Security is discussed in detail in Chapter 6,
Security. Privacy is discussed in Chapter 7, Legal and Social Issues; Web Accessibility.
Chapter 11, Palm™ and Palm OS, and Chapter 12, Microsoft Windows CE, Pocket PC and
Stinger, consider specific PDA devices.
M-Fact 10.1
According to marketing research firm NPD Intellect, sales of handheld computers in the
United States alone rose to over $1 billion dollars with Palm devices owning 72.1% of the
market share in the year 2000. [***P. Tam, “Market for Hand-Held Computers Doubled
in 2000,” Wall Street Journal 25 January 2001: B6***] 10.1
10.2.4 Convergence Devices and other Wireless Options
Wireless devices include PDAs, mobile phones, two-way pagers and others. In the future,
these devices may be combined into one wireless device. Certain combinations of these devices,
called convergence devices, are already available. These devices offer voice, personal
organizing, Web browsing, MP3 audio, short-text messaging and e-mail capabilities.
Convergence devices include smart phones, PDAs with add-on modules, MP3 and phone
hybrids (combine the hardware and features of PDA with voice capabilities) and personal
communicators. [***J. Frimmer, “Will Convergence Give Data a Boost?” MBusiness
<www.mbizcentral.com> May 2001: 82.***].
The Kyocera QCP 6035 smart phone is an example of a convergence device. Handspring
and Cynet Inc. (in cooperation with Compaq), have developed hardware that extends
the capabilities of their PDA products (the Visor and IPAQ, respectively) to include voice
and cell-phone transmissions. Neopoint and Sprint PCS also offer a PDA/cell-phone combinations.
NeoPoint 1000 (www.smartphones.com) is a Web-enabled cell phone that
also offers the conveniences of the PDA. The Kyocera Phone and Handspring modules are
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discussed further in Chapter 11, Palm™ and Palm OS while Cynet Inc., Compaq and the
iPAQ are examined in Chapter 12, Windows CE, Pocket PC and Stinger.