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11 Trends in mobile computing
Business Research Methods (DMS 502)
University of Nairobi
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FUTURE TRENDS IN MOBILE COMPUTING
It’s important you’re aware of the new technology that’s available and surrounding you. Who knows, maybe you’ll decide to change your strategy based on this information.
Artificial intelligence (AI) Artificial intelligence has penetrated our mobile world. There are advancements in mobile AI. You may be familiar with some of these: Alexa Siri Cortana Google Assistant All of these are examples of AI that may even be installed on your mobile devices right now. In addition to these popular forms of AI, mobile apps are now using software such as voice recognition to encourage hands-free use and ultimately optimize the customer experience. AI software is used to help developers and marketers learn more about the user. Businesses are trying to get more revenue by using this information to create relevant advertisements that target specific audiences.
Location-based technology Your smartphones and tablets are tracking your location. Mobile applications are also tracking your location, with your permission. Each time you download a new app, it requests your permission to use your location. Each time you download a new app, you’ll get a notification. You may not even be able to use some apps to their full potential without giving them access to your location. For example, think about a ride-sharing app such as Uber. They need your exact location to connect you with a driver. There is an increase in apps requesting your location even if you don’t think it’s required to use the primary function of the app. That’s because most of the apps on your smartphone share your data with third parties. They do this to enhance their marketing campaigns.
If a business knows where a user is, it can send them targeted ads based on the location. An example of this is when an app uses geofencing technology. How it works - Let’s say you own a restaurant and have a mobile app. If an app user walks within a few blocks of your location, they’ll receive a notification about your lunch special.
Motion and Location Sensing
Most mobile phones have location sensor capabilities which use multiple positioning methods to provide different granularities of location data. Knowing an individual’s location to within a few meters is useful for providing highly relevant contextual information and services. Motion sensing apps are used in security, anti-theft, power-saving and games. Location sensing is useful in Geotagging, Games, Vehicle navigation, and fitness apps. Apps exploiting precise indoor location currently use technologies such as Wi-Fi, imaging, ultrasonic beacons, and geomagnetic. In the longer run technologies such as smart lighting will also become important. Precise indoor location sensing, combined with mobile applications, will enable a new generation of extremely personalized services and information.
Augmented reality Augmented reality takes something that’s real and modifies it. One of the best examples of this is the face filter options on Snapchat. Recently, Instagram implemented this feature as well. This will help businesses create brand awareness, app downloads, engagement, and revenue.
Syncing wearable technology with mobile devices
Wearable technology has become increasingly popular. The smartphone will become the hub of a personal-area network consisting of wearable gadgets such as on-body healthcare sensors, smart jewelry, smart watches, display devices (like Google Glass) and a variety of sensors embedded in clothes and shoes. These gadgets will communicate with mobile applications to deliver information in new ways. And will enable a wide range of products and services in areas such as
Increased mobile payments As mobile security improves and global app revenue rises, we’ll see an increase in mobile payments as well. Among them are: bank apps PayPal Venmo Google Pay Samsung Pay Apple Pay Again, this relates to mobile security. There is a direct correlation between how comfortable people feel making mobile payments and the increase in mobile payment popularity.
Hybrid apps Mobile app development can be expensive. Business owners have weighed the pros and cons of native and hybrid app development. While both have their upsides, native development is more expensive. Furthermore, native apps can be built only for one platform at a time. But hybrid apps give people the opportunity to launch their apps on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store simultaneously for a fraction of the cost. That’s another reason why more mobile apps are available for download, which contributes to the rising global app revenue as well.
Personal mobile devices in the workplace Research indicates 87% of businesses depend on their employees to access work resources from their personal mobile devices. The concept is known as BYOD, or bring your own device. Some companies disallowed BYOD and said it was due to security concerns. However, mobile security is improving, so now businesses are adapting and changing their policies. Research shows there is a 34% increase in productivity when employees are allowed to use their personal mobile devices for work, which makes sense. They are used to handling these devices on a daily basis. It’s easier for them to navigate and stay organized. This also helps businesses cut back on costs since they don’t need to pay for new hardware.
Biometrics advancements Biometrics are used to enhance security for mobile devices. Examples of biometrics include: voice recognition facial recognition signature recognition fingerprint recognition Your current device may have some of these features installed. We’ll see a lot more of this moving forward. For example, let’s say you’ve got an iPhone that was released in the last couple of years. You’re used to the fingerprint feature to unlock the device. But now the new iPhone X has facial recognition software. Other apps are using biometrics as well. For example, you may be required to use your fingerprint to make a mobile payment through some platforms.
Mobile cloud The mobile computing has met cloud computing which has centrally coordinated applications and can be shared and delivered to a number of devices which will continue to grow horizontally as well as vertically in its span of spread. Cloud service software is acknowledged to the rich APIs. Cloud has become a point of integration for data management technologies and applications including Internet of thing, social media mobile computing or any advanced analytics. The upcoming trend will make cloud transform the basic idea of computing i. to access data to “cloud/client computing “. It is going to facilitate the incorporation of mobile technologies. The utility stated in mobile computing is not only limited to geographic location and temporal usage but also to liquid computing in which the concerned user can switch between devices and save the state of their data, not only this they are also privileged to alter a same data from a different device.
Advanced network capacity 4G or the fourth generation has succeeded the third-generation networking and had made its place in the internet market. It highly supports mobile computing and has led an ease of faster
Near Field Communication Near Field Communication (NFC) is a set of standards for smartphones and similar devices to establish radio communication with each other by touching them together or bringing them into close proximity, usually no more than a few centimeters. Present and anticipated applications include contactless transactions, data exchange, and simplified setup of more complex communications such as Wi-Fi. Communication is also possible between an NFC device and an unpowered NFC chip, called a "tag".
Global Positioning System (GPS)
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a space-based satellite navigation system that provides location and time information in all weather, anywhere on or near the Earth, where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites. The GPS program provides critical capabilities to military, civil and commercial users around the world. In addition, GPS is the backbone for modernizing the global air traffic system, weather, and location services.
Larger Displays on Smartphones
Larger displays on smartphones have been in demand because smartphones are no longer meant only to make or receive calls. Owners of smartphones now want to view videos or have a better experience reading e-books, browsing websites or playing games. Phablets are becoming more commonplace, and increasing numbers of phones are being manufactured with large screens.
Non-Removable Battery and Memory
Another development in the smartphone space has been the introduction of non-removable batteries in many models. In addition to that, many smartphones are doing away with the mounted SD card option. Non-removable batteries have been found to provide longer service life than removable batteries. Additionally, manufacturers are able to make phones slightly smaller by not needing to include access panels and/or mechanisms normally needed for removable batteries. However, for
smartphones that hang because of a software malfunction, users are no longer able to restart the phone by removing the battery.
Ingress Protection for Mobile Phones
Many companies are trying to develop glass for their smartphones that complies with the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization. Due to this, many smartphones are being given protection in the following ways:
Protection from solid objects or materials Protection from liquids such as water Protection against mechanical impact
M-Commerce
Various analysts believe positive trend in mobile purchases will continue as more and more consumers adapt to m-commerce. Increasing popularity of Apple Pay and Google Wallet will facilitate purchases using the mobile phones instead of debit or credit cards. This will require developers to build a mobile application that can process transactions without the need of physical debit/credit cards or cash. Coupled with wearables that can process payments m- commerce will take a different shape. Beyond data collection and predictive analytics, wearables will also play a key role in the future of mobile payments and customer loyalty.
Conclusion Technology is constantly evolving. Just compare your current smartphone to the phone you had five or ten years ago. As we continue, we’ll see several different trends. Older mobile technology will be improved, and newer technology will be introduced. The idea is to understand how consumers react to these changes. They are the ones who shape these trends. Identify the upward trends, and adapt accordingly to meet the needs of your mobile customers.
11 Trends in mobile computing
Course: Business Research Methods (DMS 502)
University: University of Nairobi
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