Mobile Computing Mobile Computing A StarGazing Discussion Colin - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Mobile Computing Mobile Computing

Colin Higgs

colin.higgs@ed.ac.uk

A StarGazing Discussion

Mobile Computing – Colin Higgs Slide 1

Mobile Computing – Colin Higgs Slide 2

Outline Outline

• Stargazing.
• Technologies and tasks.
• A technology led discussion.
• What the University might use.

Mobile Computing – Colin Higgs Slide 3

Stargazing Stargazing

• “Strategic” thinking about IT:
• Look at issues in 5-10 year timespan

– and beyond, if we can see that far!

• Try to gain insight in a “joined-up” fashion.

– how it all fits together.

• Organise yearly conference

– also looking ahead.

Mobile Computing – Colin Higgs Slide 4

Technologies and Tasks Technologies and Tasks

• Should we think if the push and pull of technologies vs.

tasks...

Technologies

• Mobile Computing
• Wireless networking
• Middleware
• ...

Tasks

• Teaching
• Research
• Administration
• ...

Mobile Computing – Colin Higgs Slide 5

Technologies and Tasks Technologies and Tasks

• ...or should we think of technologies and tasks
• rthogonally:

Technologies

Mobile comp. Teaching Research

Tasks

Mobile Computing – Colin Higgs Slide 6

A Strategic Discussion A Strategic Discussion

Mobile Computing – Colin Higgs Slide 7

The Little Things The Little Things

• Small:

– Ultra small notebooks, PDAs, smartphones, wearables. – Human interface not the same as is currently assumed.

• Ubiquitous:

– Will everyone have one in 3 years, 5 years, 10?

• Functionality:

– Current PDA high points: 400MHz CPU, 128Mb RAM, 640x480

screen.

– Will they primarily be:

• glorified comms devices,
• “very personal” computers,
• access points to services ('net, grid?),
• all of the above?

Mobile Computing – Colin Higgs Slide 8

Connectivity and Connectivity and Security Security

• Wireless a must.

– Current security (WEP) is rubbish.

• Must use end to end encryption (secured services or VPNs).

– “4 colour problem” no longer a problem (now 11 channels). – Bandwidth.

• Messaging or fully connected?

– Implications for the required level of coverage.

• Security:

– Tie in to authentication and authorisation infrastructure. – Need to consider how these devices will be protected.

• From each other.
• From viruses, trojans, worms etc.
• From identity theft.

Mobile Computing – Colin Higgs Slide 9

It's About People It's About People

• Mobile technology focuses more on people.

– Your mobile device goes with you. – Like your mobile phone.

• Your PDA may come to somehow “represent” you:

– Also like your mobile phone. – Remote software representations (avatars).

• Issues of proper identity.

– Automated “agents”.

• Issues of authority or provenance.

Mobile Computing – Colin Higgs Slide 10

Some Things We Could Do Some Things We Could Do

• Personal communications.

– Phone, email, SMS, web (others?) all in one. – Could they be cheap enough to be provided for all?

• Replacing phones and even computers for some.
• Student access points.

– Imagine every student has one.

• Much cheaper, yet more powerful devices than today.
• Funded by reduced need for paper material and big computers.

– Get information to and from students.

• “Beam” teaching material in lectures.
• Announcements to students (venue change etc.)
• Constant access to virtual learning environments (VLEs).

Mobile Computing – Colin Higgs Slide 11

More Things We Could Do More Things We Could Do

• Desktop replacement.

– Not now but eventually.

• Display problem needs solved.
• Input problem needs solved.

– Wireless access to more powerful resources.

• Grid style computing or thin clients.

– Cheaper (eventually).

• PDA style devices (£250 now) taking over from PCs (£750

now).

• Small device has less stuff in it.

– Reclaim your desk!

Mobile Computing – Colin Higgs Slide 12

And What Did We Learn? And What Did We Learn?

• Issues to deal with to cope with current trends:

– Wireless networking - particularly security. – Authentication and authorisation (happening anyway). – Getting used to the idea that everyone will have a computer all

the time.

• Issues where we might take a lead:

– Using ubiquitous computing to our advantage.

• Integrated mobile comms and student access ideas.

– Driving away from expensive desk hogs.

• But not quite yet.

Mobile Computing – Colin Higgs Slide 13

Questions? Questions?