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Showing papers on "Mobile technology published in 2002"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the implications of mobile commerce for markets and marketing are investigated by means of a formal conceptualization of m-commerce, a space-time matrix that delineates the impact of mobile technologies, and a taxonomy of mcommerce applications.
Abstract: Business pundits have enthusiastically prognosticated about a seamless, mobile world where commerce occurs on an anywhere, anytime basis. This type of commerce has been referred to as mobile commerce or, more simply, m-commerce. However, there have been relatively few attempts to systematically explore the opportunities and challenges posed by m-commerce. This article investigates the implications of m-commerce for markets and marketing by means of a formal conceptualization of m-commerce, a space-time matrix that delineates the impact of mobile technologies, and a taxonomy of m-commerce applications.

693 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The study specifically explored the effectiveness of SMS text messaging as an advertising medium for reaching young adults and suggested that, with the right execution, the mobile channel has the potential to benefit both advertisers and consumers.

630 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Focusing on business-to-consumer markets, this paper examines how value is added in the stream of activities involved in providing m-commerce to the consumer, and analyses the key players and technologies that form part of the m- commerce value chain, providing a foundation for future strategic analysis of the industry.

571 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This work proposes a four-level integrated framework for mobile commerce and attempts to identify several important classes of applications such as mobile financial applications, mobile inventory management, proactive service management, product location and search, and wireless re-engineering.
Abstract: Advances in e-commerce have resulted in significant progress towards strategies, requirements, and development of e-commerce applications. However, nearly all e-commerce applications envisioned and developed so far assume fixed or stationary users with wired infrastructure. We envision many new e-commerce applications that will be possible and significantly benefit from emerging wireless and mobile networks. To allow designers, developers, and researchers to strategize and create mobile commerce applications, we propose a four-level integrated framework for mobile commerce. Since there are potentially an unlimited number of mobile commerce applications, we attempt to identify several important classes of applications such as mobile financial applications, mobile inventory management, proactive service management, product location and search, and wireless re-engineering. We discuss how to successfully define, architect, and implement the necessary hardware/software infrastructure in support of mobile commerce. Also, to make mobile commerce applications a reality, we address networking requirements, discuss support from wireless carriers, and present some open research problems.

537 citations


BookDOI
01 Feb 2002
TL;DR: H Handbook of Internet Computing pdf eBook copy write by good Handbook of Wireless Networks and Mobile Computing Google Books.
Abstract: If you want to get Handbook of Internet Computing pdf eBook copy write by good Handbook of Wireless Networks and Mobile Computing Google Books. Mobile Computing General. Handbook of Algorithms for Wireless Networking and Mobile Computing by Azzedine Boukerche (Editor). Call Number: TK 5103.2. CITS4419 Mobile and Wireless Computing software projects related to wireless networks, (2) write technical reports and documentation for complex computer.

532 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Key factors in conducting sound evaluations of new technologies for mobile text entry are presented, including methodology and experiment design, and important factors to consider are identified and elaborated.
Abstract: Text input for mobile or handheld devices is a flourishing research area. This article begins with a brief history of the emergence and impact of mobile computers and mobile communications devices. Key factors in conducting sound evaluations of new technologies for mobile text entry are presented, including methodology and experiment design. Important factors to consider are identified and elaborated, such as focus of attention, text creation versus text copy tasks, novice versus expert performance, quantitative versus qualitative measures, and the speed-accuracy trade-off. An exciting area within mobile text entry is the combined use of Fitts' law and a language corpus to model, and subsequently optimize, a text entry technique. The model is described, along with examples for a variety of soft keyboards as well as the telephone keypad. A survey of mobile text entry techniques, both in research papers and in commercial products, is presented.

530 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This article proposes a different approach based on integration of multiple diverse sensors for awareness of situational context that can not be inferred from location, and targeted at mobile device platforms that typically do not permit processing of visual context.
Abstract: The use of context in mobile devices is receiving increasing attention in mobile and ubiquitous computing research. In this article we consider how to augment mobile devices with awareness of their environment and situation as context. Most work to date has been based on integration of generic context sensors, in particular for location and visual context. We propose a different approach based on integration of multiple diverse sensors for awareness of situational context that can not be inferred from location, and targeted at mobile device platforms that typically do not permit processing of visual context. We have investigated multi-sensor context-awareness in a series of projects, and report experience from development of a number of device prototypes. These include development of an awareness module for augmentation of a mobile phone, of the Mediacup exemplifying context-enabled everyday artifacts, and of the Smart-Its platform for aware mobile devices. The prototypes have been explored in various applications to validate the multi-sensor approach to awareness, and to develop new perspectives of how embedded context-awareness can be applied in mobile and ubiquitous computing.

483 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
05 Jan 2002
TL;DR: The theory-informed design, implementation and evaluation of a handheld learning device intended to support children to capture everyday events such as images, notes and sounds, to relate them to web-based learning resources, to organise these into a visual knowledge map, and to share them with other learners and teachers.
Abstract: The convergence of mobile communications and handheld computers offers the opportunity to develop technology that will assist individuals and groups to learn anytime, anywhere. We describe the theory-informed design, implementation and evaluation of a handheld learning device. It is intended to support children to capture everyday events such as images, notes and sounds, to relate them to web-based learning resources, to organise these into a visual knowledge map, and to share them with other learners and teachers. A working prototype system, for children aged 9–11, is discussed and evaluated, as an exemplar of personal mobile systems for life-long learning.

453 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A snapshot of the applications of wireless telemedicine systems is provided and a review of the spectrum of these applications and the potential benefits of these efforts is presented, followed by successful case studies in electronic patient record, emergency teleMedicine, teleradiology, and home monitoring.
Abstract: Rapid advances in information technology and telecommunications - and, more specifically, wireless and mobile communications - and their convergence ("telematics") are leading to the emergence of a new type of information infrastructure that has the potential of supporting an array of advanced services for healthcare. The objective of this paper is to provide a snapshot of the applications of wireless telemedicine systems. A review of the spectrum of these applications and the potential benefits of these efforts is presented, followed by successful case studies in electronic patient record, emergency telemedicine, teleradiology, and home monitoring. It is anticipated that the progress carried out in these efforts and the potential benefits of emerging mobile technologies will trigger the development of more applications, thus enabling the offering of a better service to the citizen.

412 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A theory of learning as conversation that can provide a framework for the design of mobile-networked technology for learning is outlined, which describes a prototype device based on a pen tablet computer with camera, phone and wireless LAN connection, combined with software to support learning actions, descriptions and conversations.
Abstract: Learners can command an increasing range of mobile technologies that have the potential to support learning anytime anywhere, but also to disrupt the carefully managed environment of the classroom. This paper outlines a theory of learning as conversation that can provide a framework for the design of mobile-networked technology for learning. It describes a prototype device based on a pen tablet computer with camera, phone and wireless LAN connection, combined with software to support learning actions, descriptions and conversations. Such devices raise both opportunities and challenges for classroom education.

376 citations


Patent
20 Dec 2002
TL;DR: In this paper, a system for providing wireless telecommunications services to mobile devices includes structure and functionality to obtain a request from a first mobile device for a meeting with a person associated with a second mobile device.
Abstract: A system for providing wireless telecommunications services to mobile devices includes structure and functionality to obtain a request from a first mobile device for a meeting with a person associated with a second mobile device. The system automatically determines locations of the first and second mobile devices, and automatically provides information to at least the first or second mobile device regarding a meeting location based at least in part on the determined location of the first or second mobile device. The system can determine a local time, or time zone, of the first or second mobile devices. Further, with one or a minimum number of menu choices, a user of a mobile device may readily receive a location of a user or another mobile device.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe xmiddle, a mobile computing middleware that enables the transparent sharing of XML documents across heterogeneous mobile hosts, allowing on-line and off-line access to data.
Abstract: An increasing number of distributed applications will be written for mobile hosts, such as laptop computers, third generation mobile phones, personal digital assistants, watches and the like. Application engineers have to deal with a new set of problems caused by mobility, such as low bandwidth, context changes or loss of connectivity. During disconnection, users will typically update local replicas of shared data independently from each other. The resulting inconsistent replicas need to be reconciled upon re-connection. To support building mobile applications that use both replication and reconciliation over ad-hoc networks, we have designed xmiddle, a mobile computing middleware. In this paper we describe xmiddle and show how it uses reflection capabilities to allow application engineers to influence replication and reconciliation techniques. xmiddle enables the transparent sharing of XML documents across heterogeneous mobile hosts, allowing on-line and off-line access to data. We describe xmiddle using a collaborative e-shopping case study on mobile clients.

Proceedings ArticleDOI
16 Nov 2002
TL;DR: A variation on the paper-based diary study technique is reported on, which is extended by using voice-mail paired with mobile and landline telephony to more easily collect data in natural situations.
Abstract: Mobile technology requires new methods for studying its use under realistic conditions "in the field." Reflexively, mobile technology also creates new opportunities for data collection while participants are remotely located. We report on our experiences with a variation on the paper-based diary study technique, which we extend by using voice-mail paired with mobile and landline telephony to more easily collect data in natural situations. We discuss lessons learned from experiences with voice-mail diary studies in two investigations of different scope. We also present suggestions for tailoring the technique to different research objectives, garnering high subject participation, and configuring the voice-mail system for data collection.

Proceedings ArticleDOI
20 Apr 2002
TL;DR: In this paper, a diary study of how and why knowledge workers use the World Wide Web is presented, where a complete two-day set of Web activities from each of 24 people is examined.
Abstract: We report on a diary study of how and why knowledge workers use the World Wide Web. By examining in detail a complete two-day set of Web activities from each of 24 people, we construct a framework with which to describe the different tasks knowledge workers undertake. By looking at the characteristics of each type of activity, we can see how certain activities are unsuited to particular kinds of technologies (e.g., mobile devices); how Web tools might be incrementally improved; and how we might better support knowledge workers' Web tasks in the future

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: An overview of the evolution in the mobile communications world is given, even though several systems exist that are not interoperable, and at the network level, IP is becoming more important.
Abstract: This article gives an overview of the evolution in the mobile communications world. The uptake of 2G technologies has been tremendous, even though several systems exist that are not interoperable. 3G will bring some convergence, but will not achieve the goal of a single global technology. At the network level, IP is becoming more important. In hot spot environments, WLAN is bringing a complementary technology toward cellular.

Journal Article
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a model of technology appropriation that represents the way they evaluate and integrate mobile telephones into their lives, and describe the influences on 16 to 22 year olds' appropriation of mobile phones.
Abstract: What do young people want from mobile technologies? How do they use mobile technologies in their everyday lives? This work uses multiple research methods to build understanding of 16 to 22 year olds' perceptions and use of mobile telephones. We propose a model of technology ' appropriation that represents the way they evaluate and integrate mobile telephones into their lives. The paper contributes to both information systems (IS) theory and practice. For IS researchers, this paper presents a picture of lifestyle rather than task-oriented technology use in diverse-and principally non-organisational-contexts. The multi-method research approach is in and of itself a contribution in enabling IS researchers to construct a rich and sound understanding of mobile technology use in different contexts. The paper contributes to IS design, marketing and training practice by describing the influences on 16 to 22 year olds' appropriation of mobile telephones. INTRODUCTION Mobile technologies, particularly mobile (cellular) telephones and text messaging, have been widely adopted of young people and integrated into their everyday lives. To date there have been few descriptions of the ways that young people are adopting and using mobile telephones and there is little understanding of the reasons for high levels of use. This haper reports on a joint collaborative research project between Novell Pty. Ltd. and the University of Melbourne called `Customers of the Future'. The project examines the use of mobile telephones in the everyday lives by young people aged between 16 and 22. The paper describes and helps understand the process of 'technology appropriation' through which the participants evaluate, adopt and shape mobile telephones to their needs. THE RESEARCH APPROACH We are investigating young people's perceptions of mobile technologies and how they are used in their social, leisure, work and educational worlds: * What do they want from mobile technologies? * How do they use mobile technologies? Our interest in future needs and desires for technology influenced our selection of the research cohort (16 to 22 year olds) and context (large cities in a developed country). We studied the 16 to 22 year cohort as these are the 'customers of the future', moving from childhood into independent life in the adult world. The context is the two largest cities in Australia which is considered an early adopter of mobile technology. Urban young Australians are enthusiastic users of mobile telephones and Short Messaging Service (SMS, also called text messaging). Currently, use of mobile technologies in developed countries varies greatly: * In Japan ownership of mobile technologies is high and Mode, the dominant service, is particularly popular with young people (Barnes 2001). However, the mobile technology context is unique due to a combination of economic, political and social factors (Barnes 2001; ICL 2000). * In the US mobile telephone ownership is quite high but intense competition between telecommunication companies has prevented the provision of a common communication platform that would allow users to SMS subscribers of other companies * In the rest of the developed world, including Australia, Scandinavia, the UK, and other parts of Europe and Asia ownership is rather high. About 65% of Australians own a mobile telephone, similar figures to the UK but somewhat less than Scandinavia, Italy and Hong Kong (Barnes 2001; Gooch 2002). Countries with a high use of SMS include all Scandinavian countries as well as the UK, Italy, Germany, Spain, Holland, Belgium, Australia and the Philippines. All of these countries have an integrated wireless medium and mobile telephones and SMS has been adopted by youngsters with great passion (see Carroll et al. 2001 in Australia; Ling and Yttri 1999 in Norway; Taylor and Harper 2001 in the UK). RESEARCH METHODS Traditional IS research approaches that focus on studying work practices in organisational settings (for example, Currie and Galliers 1999) were found wanting when applied to our cohort of interest (16 to 22 year olds rather than adult employees), our technology focus (mobile telephones rather than organisational information systems) and our activity set (work, leisure, social and educational activities rather than merely work). …

Journal ArticleDOI
09 Jan 2002
Abstract: Current mobile computing devices such as palmtop computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and mobile phones, and future devices such as Bluetooth and GSM enabled cameras, and music players have many implications for the design of the user interface. These devices share a common problem: attempting to give users access to powerful computing services and resources through small interfaces, which typically have tiny visual displays, poor audio interaction facilities and limited input techniques. They also introduce new challenges such as designing for intermittent and expensive network access, and design for position awareness and context sensitivity. No longer can designers base computing designs around the traditional model of a single user working with a personal computer at his/her workplace. In addition to mobility and size requirements, mobile devices will also typically be used by a larger population spread than traditional PCs and without any training or support networks, whether formal or informal. Furthermore, unlike early computers which had many users per computer, and PCs with usually one computer per user, a single user is likely to own many mobiles devices [1] which they interact with indifferent ways and for different tasks.

Proceedings ArticleDOI
07 Jan 2002
TL;DR: This work suggests that aggregate and technology-based models are insufficient to explain the mobile commerce adoption process, and suggests that alternative explanations may be found in both the business models at the supply side and in the individual end-users behavior at the demand side of the mobile Commerce value chain.
Abstract: In the literature on mobile commerce service adoption, aggregate diffusion issues or technology issues are usually the focus. However; a comparison of the slow adoption of WAP services in Europe with the successful adoption of comparable I-mode services in Japan and technologically simple SMS-based services in Scandinavia, suggests that aggregate and technology-based models are insufficient to explain the mobile commerce adoption process. We suggest that alternative explanations may be found in both the business models at the supply side and in the individual end-users behavior at the demand side of the mobile commerce value chain. We focus on this demand side issue, and consider the adoption requirements of mobile commerce end-users. A triangulation of three perspectives on the mobile commerce end-user is suggested to understand and explain the end-user adoption process. The three perspectives view the end-user as a technology user, a consumer and a network member, respectively. The three perspectives are combined in a common framework. With each perspective follows relevant theories, models and methodologies. We also suggest applying the framework to design evaluation guidelines that can be used by service providers, operators and terminal producers to evaluate and predict end-user adoption of mobile commerce services in 3G and later mobile technologies.

Patent
30 Apr 2002
TL;DR: In this paper, a location context-aware mobile system determines the location of a mobile device and updates a user interface based on the positioning of the mobile device to reduce the amount of information required to be entered by a user in a business process application.
Abstract: A location context-aware mobile system determines the location of a mobile device and updates a user interface based on the location of the device By using the location of the mobile device to reduce the amount of information required to be entered by a user in a business process application, the system increases the feasibility of providing business process applications on mobile devices such as mobile telephones

Proceedings ArticleDOI
Hoyoung Kim1, Jinwoo Kim1, Yeonsoo Lee1, Minhee Chae1, Youngwan Choi1 
07 Jan 2002
TL;DR: The results indicate that the use contexts of mobile Internet are concentrated rather than being widely diverse, and the different contexts present unique usability problems.
Abstract: Mobile Internet, which is a combination of the Internet with mobile devices, is becoming increasingly popular. Mobile Internet is primarily different from stationary Internet in that it may be used in various contexts, whereas stationary Internet is mostly used in predetermined environments. However, it is far from clear in what places and situations mobile Internet has been used and what the impact of the contexts has been on the ease of use. This paper proposes a framework for studying the use context relevant to mobile Internet. It then presents the results of an empirical study of the use context and service usability for mobile Internet using monitoring methods. The results indicate that the use contexts of mobile Internet are concentrated rather than being widely diverse. Moreover, the different contexts present unique usability problems. The paper concludes by discussing the theoretical and practical implications of the results.

Patent
12 Apr 2002
TL;DR: In this article, a system and method for pushing a service book to a mobile device is described, where the service book includes a plurality of fields relating to a host service and at least one mobile device has been identified that is to receive it.
Abstract: A system and method for pushing a service book to a mobile device is provided A service book includes a plurality of fields relating to a host service At least one mobile device is identified that is to receive the service book Wireless propagation information is provided that identifies an address for the mobile device to receive the service book The service book is transmitted over a wireless network using the address for the mobile device, and is received by the mobile device

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This survey examines a number of popular and representative synchronization protocols, such as Palm's HotSync, Pumatech's Intellisync and the industry-wide SyncML, and compares them to a novel synchronization approach, CPISync, which addresses some of their scalability concerns.
Abstract: Personal digital assistants and other mobile computing devices rely on synchronization protocols in order to maintain data consistency. These protocols operate in environments where network resources such as bandwidth, memory and processing power are limited. We examine a number of popular and representative synchronization protocols, such as Palm's HotSync, Pumatech's Intellisync and the industry-wide SyncML initiative. We investigate the scalability performance of these protocols as a function of data and network sizes and compare them to a novel synchronization approach, CPISync, which addresses some of their scalability concerns. The conclusions of this survey are intended to provide guidance for handling scalability issues in synchronizing data on large, heterogeneous, tetherless networks.

Patent
16 Jan 2002
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a method and computer program product for operating a mobile electronic device having a wireless transceiver within an automobile having an on-board computer, where the motorist may then utilize the mobile electronic devices through the input and output devices of the onboard computer.
Abstract: The present invention presents a method and computer program product for operating a mobile electronic device having a wireless transceiver within an automobile having an on-board computer. The method includes: receiving a wireless information message from the mobile electronic device within the automobile to the on-board computer, establishing a wireless communication link between the on-board computer and the mobile electronic device; communicating instructions from the on-board computer to the mobile electronic device to disable a one or more features within the mobile electronic device; and then communicating reconfiguration instructions from the on-board computer to the mobile electronic device, whereby the mobile electronic device reconfigures itself to become a slave device to the on-board computer. The motorist may then utilize the mobile electronic device through the input and output devices of the on-board computer.

Proceedings ArticleDOI
07 Jan 2002
TL;DR: A model for explaining the role of exposure to mobile technology in the adoption of mobile commerce is developed and empirically test and the empirical results show significant both indirect and moderating effects of exposure on the intention of adopting mobile commerce.
Abstract: The increasingly high penetration rate of mobile phones and the consequent exposure of subscribers to mobile technology present high hopes for the adoption of mobile commerce. Are such hopes justified? In this study, we address this question. More specifically, we develop and empirically test a model for explaining the role of exposure to mobile technology in the adoption of mobile commerce. The proposed model extends well-established behavioral theories with new constructs representing various forms of exposure, i.e., trial, communication and observation. The empirical results show significant both indirect (mediated by other constructs) and moderating effects of exposure on the intention of adopting mobile commerce.

Proceedings ArticleDOI
02 Jul 2002
TL;DR: This work analyzes the features of a mobile push service by investigating representative usage scenarios, and proposes an architecture for mobile content delivery systems based on the publish/subscribe (P/S) paradigm which supports many-to-many interaction of loosely-coupled entities.
Abstract: The increasing popularity of information services that rely on content delivery in mobile environments motivates the need for a mobile push service - an efficient and flexible content dissemination service that targets mobile users. We analyze the features of a mobile push service by investigating representative usage scenarios and propose an architecture for mobile content delivery systems. The architecture is based on the publish/subscribe (P/S) paradigm which supports many-to-many interaction of loosely-coupled entities. We define the set of services that need to collaborate with the P/S infrastructure to address the dynamics of mobile environments.

Book ChapterDOI
18 Sep 2002
TL;DR: This paper presents a prototype of a mobile application for UMTS called [email protected] (Local Location Assistant) and implements a tourist guide for users in the city of Vienna and discusses user interaction and interface design, design process, and technical solutions used to implement the application.
Abstract: Modern lifestyle corresponds with high personal mobility. People want to work or use leisure-time applications while on the road. Modern mobile communications systems allow to meet these requirements for the first time. Advanced new features like user positioning allow sophisticated applications that are not possible in the fixed Internet or traditional cellular networks. Still, application development for the Mobile Internet is a complex task. Users have special demands because of the mobile environment. Stringent technical constraints are imposed by mobile networks and mobile devices.In this paper we present a prototype of a mobile application for UMTS. It is called [email protected] (Local Location Assistant) and implements a tourist guide for users in the city of Vienna. We discuss user interaction and interface design, design process, and technical solutions used to implement the application. Because of the initial lack of powerful PDAs, currently a laptop is used as terminal.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: There is a tendency that people who own home computers make less work trips, but this does not affect the total number of daily trips, and spatial flexibility give a temporal flexibility, which means that work trips and other trips can be more dispersed over the day than is the situation today.
Abstract: On the basis of the Norwegian national personal travel survey (NPTS) 1997/98 and a connected mail back survey of the use of information – and communication technology at home, the relation between mobility and use of stationary communication has been studied. On the basis of these results we cannot see any direct substitutionary effects of the use of stationary technology at people's home on the use of mobile technology. Access to and use of information technology seems not to have a significant impact on travel activities in everyday life. Stationary communication seems to be a supplement to activities based on mobile technology. For people who work more than “normal” weekly working hours, stationary technology seems to give them greater flexibility in regard to where to work, but it does not necessarily reduce their travel activity. There is a tendency that people who own home computers make less work trips, but this does not affect the total number of daily trips. The spatial flexibility give a temporal flexibility, which means that work trips and other trips can be more dispersed over the day than is the situation today. The positive consequence can be a reduction in the rush-hour traffic; the negative is that it is more difficult to offer a high frequent public transport service when travel needs are more spread in time. Ownership and use of both mobile and stationary technologies are unequally distributed. Men, people with high education and income are the most frequent owners and users.

Patent
23 Aug 2002
TL;DR: In this paper, a system and method for providing information services to a mobile device user, the mobile device users having a mobile devices, comprising receiving profile information about the user, receiving real-time data from one or more content sources, the realtime data including forecast data, generating a message for the user based on the received real time data and tailored to substantially match at least part of the profile information of the user.
Abstract: A system and method for providing information services to a mobile device user, the mobile device user having a mobile device, comprising receiving profile information about the mobile device user; receiving real-time data from one or more content sources, the real-time data including forecast data; generating a message for the mobile device user, the message based on the received real-time data and tailored to substantially match at least part of the profile information of the mobile device user; and transmitting the tailored message to the mobile device of the mobile device user.

Proceedings ArticleDOI
29 Aug 2002
TL;DR: The results of an experiment undertaken to test the effectiveness of a two-way SMS campaign for a UK youth brand are presented and it is proposed that these results and their findings can inform more effective future usage of mobile technologies in education.
Abstract: This paper reports the results of an experiment undertaken to test the effectiveness of a two-way SMS campaign for a UK youth brand. These results are presented, and considered from the perspective of leveraging these results in an educational technology context. It is proposed that these results and their findings can inform more effective future usage of mobile technologies in education.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Whether wireless mobile technologies are ready to support LBS, which mobile positioning technologies can be used and what are their shortcomings, and how GIS developers manipulate spatial information to generate appropriate map images on mobile devices are discussed.
Abstract: Geographical Information System (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS) technologies are expanding their traditional applications to embrace a stream of consumer-focused, location-based applications Through an integration with handheld devices capable of wireless communication and mobile computing, a wide range of what may be generically referred to as 'Location-Based Services' (LBS) may be offered to mobile users A location-based service is able to provide targeted spatial information to mobile workers and consumers These include utility location information, personal or asset tracking, concierge and route-guidance information, to name just a few of the possible LBS The technologies and applications of LBS will play an ever increasingly important role in the modern, mobile, always-connected society This paper endeavours to provide some background to the technology underlying location-based services, and to discuss some issues related to developing and launching LBS These include whether wireless mobile technologies are ready to support LBS, which mobile positioning technologies can be used and what are their shortcomings, and how GIS developers manipulate spatial information to generate appropriate map images on mobile devices (such as cell phones and PDAs) In addition, the authors discuss such issues as interoperability, privacy protection and the market demand for LBS