TECHNOLOGY

Telecommunications & Networking



Telecommunications & Networking

Introduction

This essay is based on the paper M. Satyanarayanan presented named“Mobile Computing: The Next Decade”. The paper was all about the emerging technology of mobile computing.

Traditional models of social networks that relied on largely interpersonal communication, such as the two-step flow in communication theory, gave way to Web 2.0 technology, which allowed users to collaboratively publish and share content and to build and reinforce networks virtually. This shift has been furthered by the development of mobile computing tools that allow users to communicate with their online networks at all times, merging their physical and online presences (Satyanarayanan, 2010). The evolution of technologies of communication, such as text messaging, broadband, wireless Internet access, and third-generation (3G) mobile phone networks has transformed social networks since 2000. As mobile telephony became mobile computing via “smart phones” such as the iPhone and Blackberry brands, individuals became able to access their online social networks outside the confines of their homes and workplaces. Meanwhile, faster computers and broadband access enabled a greater degree of multimedia convergence and visualization. Together, these technologies have led to a variety of new ways for individuals to network, communicate, and connect and have facilitated a greater fluidity between off-line and online social networks (Bagchi, 2005).

Discussion

The Role Of Mobile Devices As “Rich Sensors.”

Mobile devices are important and play a huge role in computing and communicaton in which their rich sensing ability shows out to be highly significant in the scenarios discussed in Satyanarayanan's paper. The term “rich” refers to and describes the intensity and intricacy regarding to the real world that is being captured and being viewed through these mobile devices.

This is in something that is totally different to the straight forward method of scalar data like temperature, time and location which had to do with the typical sensor network applications. At the time when cell phones with cameras were launched everyone was of the idea if they could ever resolve an issue or a problem. Could the pictures that have been captured by these devices actually assist in solving problems.

With time it guaranteed that truly snap shots taken from mobile devices actually aid ins solving problems. Digital cameras and video recorders that lacked such wireless capability to transmit images were off shored and heir technology also needed to be adapted and updated (Gorski, 2003).

Near-Real Time Data Consistency

This theme is most apparent in the lost child scenario which has been discussed in the paper which explains that the images that had been recently captured were the only ones that were useful enough. Pictures that were captured before the child was lost were of no use at all. The recency of data was also an integral element and factor in the disaster relief scenario. A huge earthquake is usually previled by aftershocks which occur after hours or at times also days. Such aftershocks can at times even add on to the disaster that the original quake has caused while in some instances it triggers on to foremost ...