Showing papers on "Mobile technology published in 2007"

A Theory of Learning for the Mobile Age (pre-print)

Abstract: ‘A society which is mobile, which is full of channels for the distribution of a change occurring anywhere, must see to it that its members are educated to personal initiative and adaptability. Otherwise, they will be overwhelmed by the changes in which they are caught and whose significance or connections they do not perceive.’ Dewey (1916, p. 88) When John Dewey wrote Democracy and Education , the industrialised world was undergoing a huge technological and social disruption. Railways and paved roads had enabled mass travel, wireless communication had bridged the Atlantic, and a mechanised war was being fought across continents. Today, we are experiencing similar social and technological disruption, with the Internet and mobile technologies providing global access to information and mobility of knowledge. Ten years ago a school in Russia teaching English had no access to contemporary language sources; now it has the worldwide web. Five years ago, a farmer in rural Kenya had no communication with the nearest city, now he carries a mobile phone. We live in a society in which the “channels for distribution of change” are carried with us as part of daily life.

Mobile learning: A framework and evaluation

Abstract: Wireless data communications in form of Short Message Service (SMS) and Wireless Access Protocols (WAP) browsers have gained global popularity, yet, not much has been done to extend the usage of these devices in electronic learning (e-learning). This project explores the extension of e-learning into wireless/handheld (W/H) computing devices with the help of a mobile learning (m-learning) framework. This framework provides the requirements to develop m-learning applications that can be used to complement classroom or distance learning. A prototype application was developed to link W/H devices to three course websites. The m-learning applications were pilot-tested for two semesters with a total of 63 students from undergraduate and graduate courses at our university. The students used the m-learning environment with a variety of W/H devices and reported their experiences through a survey and interviews at the end of the semester. The results from this exploratory study provide a better understanding on the role of mobile technology in higher education.

Mobile person-to-person payment system

Abstract: A mobile payment platform and service provides a fast, easy way to make payments by users of mobile devices. The platform also interfaces with nonmobile channels and devices such as e-mail, instant messenger, and Web. In an implementation, funds are accessed from an account holder s mobile device such as a mobile phone or a personal digital assistant to make or receive payments. Financial transactions may be conducted on a person-to-person (P2P) or person-to-merchant (P2M) basis where each party is identified by a unique indicator such as a telephone number or bar code. Transactions may be requested through any number of means including SMS messaging, Web, e-mail, instant messenger, a mobile client application, an instant messaging plug-in application or widget. The mobile client application, resident on the mobile device, simplifies access and performing financial transactions in a fast, secure manner.

MyExperience: a system for in situ tracing and capturing of user feedback on mobile phones

Abstract: This paper presents MyExperience, a system for capturing both objective and subjective in situ data on mobile computing activities. MyExperience combines the following two techniques: 1) passive logging of device usage, user context, and environmental sensor readings, and 2) active context-triggered user experience sampling to collect in situ, subjective user feedback. MyExperience currently runs on mobile phones and supports logging of more than 140 event types, including: 1) device usage such as communication, application usage, and media capture, 2) user context such as calendar appointments, and 3) environmental sensing such as Bluetooth and GPS. In addition, user experience sampling can be targeted to moments of interest by triggering off sensor readings. We present several case studies of field deployments on people's personal phones to demonstrate how MyExperience can be used effectively to understand how people use and experience mobile technology.

Location-Based Advertising Message Serving For Mobile Communication Devices

Abstract: Embodiments of a location sharing network manager process are described. The process is executed on a server computer coupled to a plurality of mobile communication devices over a wireless network. Each mobile device is a location-aware mobile communication device. The process determines the geographic location of a mobile communication device operated by a user within an area, displays a map representation of the area around the mobile communication device on a graphical user interface of the mobile communication device, and superimposes on the map the respective locations of one or more other trusted users of mobile communication devices coupled to the mobile communication device over the network. An advertising platform manager provides tools for an advertiser to create and transmit relevant ad messages to a user based on specific location, time, and profile data of the user. Such location-based ad serving allows for the creation of ads that directly leverage a key component of the user's interaction with the mobile device in that messages can be tied directly to the location display of a product or service offered by the advertiser. The ad messages can be provided in the form of text or graphic messages, logos, display branding. Information related to time and location-sensitive promotional events can also be effectively broadcast to users in the form of alerts or coupons that encourage user to visit a location that may be near the user.

Adoption of Mobile Technologies for Chinese Consumers

Abstract: When it comes to mobile communication technology, China is the largest market in the world However, due to its rapidly changing economic environment causing disparities between geographical regions, it presents unique marketing problems In order to attain a better understanding of China as a potentially highly valuable mobile communication technology market, we conducted a survey of 221 Chinese nationals and tested a proposed conceptual framework based on UTAUT with moderating variables The results from SEM multi-group analysis indicate that gender and education level are significant moderating factors while internet usage experience does not register as significant The results of this research suggest the necessity to take cultural background and disposition into consideration for the UTAUT Keywords: Mobile Technology, Adoption, UTAUT, Chinese Consumer 1 Introduction The Chinese mobile industry has grown with incredible speed with 282 million cell phone subscribers at the beginning of 2004 This means that more than 25% of the new customers across the world mobile communication market are coming from China (CellularOnline 2004) According to Yan (2003) when considering that the diffusion rate of Chinese Internet use with only 497 million subscribers in 2002, 2066 million subscribers in the mobile communication market in same year directly underscores the priority status of mobile technology This also suggests a higher acceptance rate of wireless internet than of wired Internet in China In this China-specific situation, in which mobile technology seems to supersede wired Internet technology, it is foreseeable that mobile technology would be the best venue for introducing e-commerce technology Up until 2004, the Chinese mobile communication market was dominated by two large companies, China Mobile and China Unicom However, as China joins the World Trade Organization (WTO), this duopoly mobile market will be open for foreign operators from 2007 There are some indications that the mobile communication market has started to warm up to foreign rivals while the two domestic companies are losing their dominance to the Chinese mobile users (CellularOnline 2006) With the expected increasing competition in the Chinese mobile communication market in the near future, there is a need for systematic research on Chinese consumers in the mobile market Making profits or even surviving in this largest but extremely competitive market may depend on an accurate understanding of Chinese mobile users, especially given China's unique cultural disposition and economic dynamics Therefore, it is valuable to fill the gap of international dimensions in the field of mobile technology researches and to investigate how Chinese consumers in the largest world market behave and react to this newly adopted but rapidly diffused mobile technology For investigating Chinese consumers' technology acceptance process, this research adopted the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) developed by Venkatesh et al (2003) with finding how the theory can be useful to explain Chinese adoption of the mobile technologies UTAUT has been considered the most prominent and unified model in the stream of Information technology adoption research with high robustness of the instruments regarding the key constructs (Li and Kishore 2006) Most of the previous studies were based on and conducted in developed countries, mainly in the United States and European nations The legitimacy of applying standardized research methodologies and results from these western nations to understand the rapidly evolving Chinese mobile technology market is questionable (Zhang and Prybutok 2005) As noted by researchers, there is a need to test the models of IT acceptance in different cultural settings such as China because culture has been recognized as a significant construct impacting IT acceptance (Straub and Brenner 1997) …

Mobile Client Application for Mobile Payments

Abstract: A mobile client application executes on a mobile phone and interfaces with a mobile payment platform. A mobile payment platform and service provides a fast, easy way to make payments by users of mobile devices. The platform also interfaces with nonmobile channels and devices such as e-mail, instant messenger, and Web. In an implementation, funds are accessed from an account holder's mobile device such as a mobile phone or a personal digital assistant to make or receive payments. Financial transactions may be conducted on a person-to-person (P2P) or person-to-merchant (P2M) basis where each party is identified by a unique indicator such as a telephone number or bar code. Transactions may be requested through any number of means including SMS messaging, Web, e-mail, instant messenger, a mobile client application, an instant messaging plug-in application or “widget.” The mobile client application, resident on the mobile device, simplifies access and performing financial transactions in a fast, secure manner.

m-Learning: Positioning educators for a mobile, connected future

Abstract: Mobile learning is variously viewed as a fad, a threat, and an answer to the learning needs of time-poor mobile workers, so does it have a place in delivering mainstream learning? Based on a 2005 comparative research project, commissioned by the Australian Flexible Learning Framework, the paper reports on research into Web-based information about the use of mobile technologies for commerce and learning, which was then tested through 29 interviews with manufacturers of mobile devices, businesses and education providers. The research found that mobile technologies were in common use in some commercial sectors, but their use purely for learning was rare. m-Learning lends itself to new methods of delivery, however, that are highly suited to the ‘just enough, just in time, and just for me’ demands of 21st Century learners.

An empirical study of mobile commerce in insurance industry: Task-technology fit and individual differences

Abstract: Mobile commerce, generally defined as conducting information inquiries and/or business transactions by using mobile devices via wireless communications, is considered the next big wave of investment and application of information technology. Mobile commerce is estimated to account for a sizable portion of the US$6.9 trillion e-commerce revenue by 2004. Although abundant research on the technology side of mobile commerce has been published, there exists ''very limited research on the strategies and applications of M-commerce'' [A. Gunasekaran, E. Ngai, Call for papers: special issue on mobile commerce: strategies, technologies, and applications, Decision Support Systems 35 (2003) 187-188. [15]]. We propose and validate a modified task-technology fit model to explore the factors affecting the effective adoption of mobile commerce in the insurance industry. In particular, we study: (1) if the mobile commerce system based on personal digital assistant (PDA) technology is applicable for the insurance industry; (2) whether individual differences will impact the cognitive fit of insurance agents' use of PDA mobile commerce system; (3) which of the three major insurance tasks is better suited for the PDA technology; and (4) which PDA technology characteristic is best for which type of insurance tasks. Our research finds that the PDA mobile commerce system is indeed suitable for the insurance industry. In terms of the impact of individual differences, we discover that position experience, cognitive style, and computer self-efficacy are major factors that can predict the fit of applying PDA technology for insurance tasks. Counter conventional wisdom, other demographic variables such as gender and age are found to be non-significant. Among three major insurance tasks, we find that the PDA mobile technology provides the highest level of assistance in post-contract customer services, followed by recruiting new insurance contracts, and tax and legal information services.

Mobile Social Networks and Social Practice: A Case Study of Dodgeball

Abstract: A mobile social network system MSNS allows groups of friends to be accessed and engaged with from one's mobile phone. Dodgeball is a MSNS that seeks to facilitate social connection and coordination among friends in urban public spaces. Based on a year-long qualitative field study, this article reports on the social and behavioral norms of Dodgeball use. A comparison between social network sites and Dodgeball highlights some of the communicative differences of mobile technology and the Internet. The findings of the study suggest that Dodgeball use can influence the way that informants experience public space and social relations therein. At times Dodgeball can facilitate the creation of third spaces, which are dynamic and itinerant forms of "third places." Additionally, exchanging messages through Dodgeball can lead to social molecularization, whereby active Dodgeball members experience and move through the city in a collective manner.

Displaying the location of individuals on an interactive map display on a mobile communication device

Abstract: Location-based social network manager processes are described. The processes are executed on a computer coupled to location-aware mobile communication devices over a wireless network. The process determines geographic location of a mobile device operated by a user, displays a map representation of the area around the mobile device on a mobile device GUI, and superimposes on the map respective locations of other users of mobile devices coupled to the mobile device. The user can build a database of friends among the other users whose location can be displayed on each respective mobile device. A privacy function allows a user to define who among the network of friends can view location information of the user on their mobile devices. Messaging and alert functions using the communications of the mobile device can incorporate location information resulting in interaction among users based on user identity as well as relative position to one another.

Network manager system for location-aware mobile communication devices

Abstract: Embodiments of a location sharing network manager process are described. The process is executed on a server computer coupled to a plurality of mobile communication devices over a wireless network. Each mobile device is a location-aware mobile communication device. The process determines the geographic location of a mobile communication device operated by a user within an area, displays a map representation of the area around the mobile communication device on a graphical user interface of the mobile communication device, and superimposes on the map the respective locations of one or more other trusted users of mobile communication devices coupled to the mobile communication device over the network. A comprehensive network manager process provides management functions to allow communication with mobile phone users outside of the service network and allows for efficient communication with groups of users within the service network.

Vocabulary on the move: Investigating an intelligent mobile phone-based vocabulary tutor

Abstract: Mobile learning has long been identified as one of the natural directions in which CALL is expected to move, and as smaller portable technologies become less expensive, lighter and more powerful, they have the potential to become a more integral part of language learning courses as opposed to the more supplemental role often assigned to computer labs. Mobile phones have been the topic of a number of recent studies, including for learning pragmatic phrases via mobile email, and as electronic flash cards. With the development of mobile systems that can access the Internet, more sophisticated applications which allow the use of databases and interactive web content have been made possible. The current study describes one such application, investigating the use of a prototype mobile-based intelligent vocabulary tutor system by learners in an advanced EFL class. Learners used the tutor to complete vocabulary activities in a variety of task formats through either their mobile phone or through a computer, and th...

Content delivery to a mobile device from a content service

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering digital content to a mobile device from a digital content provider are disclosed. Digital content is selected using a selection interface on the mobile device. The selected content is then transferred to a computing device by the digital content provider and subsequently transferred to the mobile device by the computing device. In some embodiments, the digital content is reformatted before being transferred to the mobile device. The digital content may be streamed from the computer system to the mobile device. A service provider of a network through which the mobile device connects to the digital content provider may bill a user of the mobile device on behalf of the digital content provider. The digital content provider may bill the user of the mobile device using a Premium SMS service.

Adoption of mobile technology in business: a fit‐viability model

Abstract: Purpose – This paper aims to study the adoption of mobile technology in business and its determinants. A diagnostic tool for proper adoption of mobile technology is developed.Design/methodology/approach – Grounded on the fit‐viability framework, the paper uses a multi‐case study via the fit and viability dimensions to examine the success or failure of mobile technology applications in business.Findings – By drawing upon multiple streams of theory building, the paper is able to develop a set of measurement instruments to assess the fit and viability in adopting mobile technology. The findings demonstrate that the fit‐viability model (FVM) provides useful guidelines for enterprises in their decisions on whether to adopt a mobile technology.Research limitations/implications – First, the theoretical generalizability of the FVM needs to be more carefully observed in future studies. Second, the findings are exploratory and more extensive studies may be necessary.Practical implications – Chief information office...

Affordances of Mobile Technologies for Experiential Learning: The Interplay of Technology and Pedagogical Practices

Abstract: Experiential learning is the process of creating knowledge through the transformation of experience and has been adopted in an increasing number of areas. This paper investigates the possibility of technological support for experiential learning. A learning activity flow (or script) and a mobile technology system were designed to facilitate students in experiential learning. An experiment was conducted on two fifth-grade classes at an elementary school, one class using personal digital assistants (PDAs) and the other working without them. The results indicate that mobile technologies are effective in improving knowledge creation during experiential learning. The interplay between the mobile technology affordances and the proposed learning flow for experiential learning is thoroughly discussed.

Geo-tagged journal system for location-aware mobile communication devices

Abstract: Embodiments of a location sharing network manager process are described. The process is executed on a server computer coupled to a plurality of mobile communication devices over a wireless network. Each mobile device is a location-aware mobile communication device. The process determines the geographic location of a mobile communication device operated by a user within an area, displays a map representation of the area around the mobile communication device on a graphical user interface of the mobile communication device, and superimposes on the map the respective locations of one or more other trusted users of mobile communication devices coupled to the mobile communication device over the network. A journal creation and management component provides tools for users to create and store user-generated content in the form of an online journal. This user-generated content can be automatically tagged with location information provided by the location-aware mobile communication device. Such geo-tagged journal information can be shared with specific users in the network or utilized by users with specific interest in the location dimension of the journal content. The user-generated content can be provided in the form of text or graphic messages, pictures, audio/video clips, and the like.

System and method for managing and monitoring mobile data, content, access and usage

Abstract: A system, method, and process for managing and monitoring mobile data, content, access, and usage of mobile devices are provided. The described exemplary system, method, and process provide an infrastructure for managing and monitoring various applications and services of mobile devices such as Internet access, voice, messaging, gaming, music, and video.

Shoogle: excitatory multimodal interaction on mobile devices

Abstract: Shoogle is a novel, intuitive interface for sensing data withina mobile device, such as presence and properties of textmessages or remaining resources. It is based around activeexploration: devices are shaken, revealing the contents rattlingaround "inside". Vibrotactile display and realistic impactsonification create a compelling system. Inertial sensingis used for completely eyes-free, single-handed interactionthat is entirely natural. Prototypes are described runningboth on a PDA and on a mobile phone with a wireless sensorpack. Scenarios of use are explored where active sensing ismore appropriate than the dominant alert paradigm.

The Growth of m-Learning and the Growth of Mobile Computing: Parallel developments

Abstract: mLearning is made possible by the existence and application of mobile hardware and networking technology. By exploring the capabilities of these technologies, it is possible to construct a picture of how different components of mLearning can be implemented. This paper will explore the major technologies currently in use: PDAs, SMS messaging via mobile phone, and podcasts via MP3 players.

Mobile Wireless Sensor Network: Architecture and Enabling Technologies for Ubiquitous Computing

Abstract: A mobile wireless sensor network owes its name to the presence of mobile sink or sensor nodes within the network. The advantages of mobile WSN over static WSN are better energy efficiency, improved coverage, enhanced target tracking and superior channel capacity. In this paper we present and discuss hierarchical multi-tiered architecture for mobile wireless sensor network. This architecture is proposed for the future pervasive computing age. We also elaborate on the impact of mobility on different performance metrics in mobile WSN. A study of some of the possible application scenarios for pervasive computing involving mobile WSN is also presented. These application scenarios will be discussed in their implementation context. While discussing the possible applications, we also study related technologies that appear promising to be integrated with mobile WSN in the ubiquitous computing. With an enormous growth in number of cellular subscribers, we therefore place the mobile phone as the key element in future ubiquitous wireless networks. With the powerful computing, communicating and storage capacities of these mobile devices, the network performance can benefit from the architecture in terms of scalability, energy efficiency and packet delay, etc.

System and method for mobile device application management

Abstract: A system for managing mobile electronic devices in a network, including a plurality of mobile electronic devices, a directory service including user data pertaining to one or more users of the plurality of mobile electronic devices, and a device manager for receiving the user data and determining a group of the users and at least one privilege applicable the group based on the user data and data from at least one other source, wherein the device managers sends at least one mobile application to one or more of the plurality of mobile electronic devices based on the privilege, and wherein the device manager includes software for determining a status of the at least one mobile application for each of the one or more mobile electronic devices.

Understanding 2D-BarCode Technology and Applications in M-Commerce - Design and Implementation of A 2D Barcode Processing Solution

Abstract: With the swift increase of the number of mobile device users, more wireless information services and mobile commerce applications are needed Since various barcodes have been used for decades as a very effective means in many traditional commerce systems, today people are looking for innovative solutions to use barcodes in the wireless world Recently, the mobile industry began to pay more attention to barcode applications in m-commerce because 2D-barcodes not only provide a simple and inexpensive method to present diverse commerce data, but also improve mobile user experience by reducing their inputs This paper first discusses 2D-barcode concepts, types and classifications, major technology players, and applications in mobile commerce Then, it reports a research project to develop a 2D-barcode processing solution to support mobile applications Moreover, the paper also presents the application examples, and case study using the solution

Consuming video on mobile devices

Abstract: Mobile video is now an everyday possibility with a wide array of commercially available devices, services and content. These technologies promise to transform the way that people can consume video media in their lives beyond the familiar behaviours associated with fixed TV and video technologies. Building upon earlier studies of mobile video, this paper reports on a study using diary techniques and ethnographic interviews to better understand how people are using commercially available mobile video technologies in their everyday lives. Drawing on reported episodes of mobile video behaviour, the study identifies the social motivations and values underpinning these behaviours that help characterise mobile video consumption beyond the simplistic notion of viewing TV to kill time wherever you may be. Implications for adoption and design of mobile video technologies and services are discussed.

System and method for managing mobile devices and services

Abstract: The mobile device management system provides for administration of mobile devices associated with a customer and supported by multiple service providers or carriers. The system provides a central, customized interface for management of mobile devices. The system aggregates customer policies, service plan information from various service providers and specific end user information to enable management of mobile devices. Management functions include procurement, expense management, billing and invoicing, support and monitoring of mobile devices associated with the customer. This system and method for managing mobile devices and services keeps the customers mobile workforce connected while reducing the total cost of ownership.

An Assessment of NFC for Future Mobile Payment Systems

Abstract: In this paper, we present an assessment of NFC (near field communication) for future mobile payment systems. NFC is expected to become a very trendy technology for mobile services, more specifically for mobile payments. The objective of our paper is to evaluate in a systematic manner the potential of NFC as an upcoming technology for mobile payments. In order to ensure the rigor of our research, we used a formal and structured approach based on multi-actor multi-criteria methods. Our research provides one of the first assessment of NFC and a realistic picture of the current Swiss situation as we involved numerous mobile payment experts. Our findings show that Swiss industry experts are quite enthusiastic about the future of NFC.

Method and system for transferring content from the web to mobile devices

Abstract: A web page architecture is provided for enabling a user browse the web within an inline frame embedded in a web page and drag and drop content rendered in the inline frame into a receiving panel in the web page for transmission to the user's mobile device. The delivery mechanism to receive such content on the user's mobile device may be either through SMS messaging or through communicating with a client application on the user's mobile device.

Exploiting social interactions in mobile systems

Abstract: The popularity of handheld devices has created a flurry of research activity into new protocols and applications that can handle and exploit the defining characteristic of this new environment - user mobility. In addition to mobility, another defining characteristic of mobile systems is user social interaction. This paper investigates how mobile systems could exploit people's social interactions to improve these systems' performance and query hit rate. For this, we build a trace-driven simulator that enables us to re-create the behavior of mobile systems in a social environment. We use our simulator to study three diverse mobile systems: DTN routing protocols, firewalls preventing a worm infection, and a mobile P2P file-sharing system. In each of these three cases, we find that mobile systems can benefit substantially from exploiting social information.

Mobile information access: A study of emerging search behavior on the mobile Internet

Abstract: It is likely that mobile phones will soon come to rival more traditional devices as the primary platform for information access. Consequently, it is important to understand the emerging information access behavior of mobile Internet (MI) users especially in relation to their use of mobile handsets for information browsing and query-based search. In this article, we describe the results of a recent analysis of the MI habits of more than 600,000 European MI users, with a particular emphasis on the emerging interest in mobile search. We consider a range of factors including whether there are key differences between browsing and search behavior on the MI compared to the Web. We highlight how browsing continues to dominate mobile information access, but go on to show how search is becoming an increasingly popular information access alternative especially in relation to certain types of mobile handsets and information needs. Moreover, we show that sessions involving search tend to be longer and more data-rich than those that do not involve search. We also look at the type of queries used during mobile search and the way that these queries tend to be modified during the course of a mobile search session. Finally we examine the overlap among mobile search queries and the different topics mobile users are interested in.