Lecture 9a- Wireless Mobile Computing and Mobile Commerce

What is the difference between Wireless and Mobile?

Wireless = Without wires. Mobile = Moves locations over time.

📌 Example:

• Wireless but Fixed – Microwave towers.

• Wireless and Mobile – Smartphones, MiFi.

What is Mobile Computing?

Computing that allows devices to connect and sync anytime, anywhere using wireless communication.

What are the two major characteristics of mobile computing?

Mobility – Users can move and still stay connected.
Broad Reach – Devices can connect over long distances instantly.

What are key hardware components of mobile computing?

Network access points, mobile communication servers, and cellular transmitters/receivers allow devices to connect wirelessly.

📌 Example: Cell towers enable smartphones to access networks.

What software enables mobile computing?

Mobile Operating System – Runs mobile devices (e.g., iOS, Android).
✔ Mobile App User Interface – Allows users to interact with apps.
✔ Microbrowser – A lightweight web browser designed for small screens and low bandwidth.
✔ Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) – A set of protocols that allow wireless devices to access web pages designed for mobile use.

📌 Example: Safari on iPhone uses a microbrowser, while WAP enables early mobile internet browsing.

What are the key benefits of mobile computing?

Ubiquity – Access information anytime, anywhere.
Convenience & Instant Connectivity – Quick access to the web & apps without a PC.
Personalization – Customized content based on user preferences.
Localization of Products & Services – Targeted ads and location-based offers.

What are the 3 types of Wireless Transmission Media?

1. Microwave – Uses electromagnetic waves, good for long distances.

2. Satellite – Uses radio waves; includes GEO, MEO, LEO satellites.

3. Radio – Uses radio frequencies; used in mobile phones & Wi-Fi.

📌 Example: GPS uses satellite transmission.

What are the 3 major advantages of wireless devices?

Portability – Small and easy to carry.
Computing Power – Perform productive tasks.
Wireless Connectivity – Connect to the Internet and other devices.

What is Dematerialization in smartphones?

The process where multiple devices/functions (camera, calculator, encyclopedia, flashlight, etc.) are combined into one device – the smartphone.

📌 Example: A smartphone replaces a camera, GPS, and music player in one device.

What are the types of Wireless Networks?

1⃣ Short-Range (≤ 30m) – Bluetooth.
2⃣ Medium-Range – Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, MiFi.
3⃣ Wide-Area (WWANs) – Cellular networks (3G, 4G, 5G).

📌 Example:

• Bluetooth = Short-range for headphones.

• Wi-Fi = Medium-range for home/business networks.

• 5G = Wide-area for fast mobile internet.

What are near-field communications (NFC)?

The smallest range of any short-range wireless network. E.g. tap function in iphone

What is WiFi Direct?

Enables devices to connect with each other using peer-to-peer communications.

What is MiFi?

A small portable wifi hotspot device

What is super wifi?

long distance wireless wifi

What is M-Commerce?

E-commerce using wireless technology, especially on mobile devices.

5 Major Applications of M-Commerce:

1⃣ Location-Based Services – GPS tracking, Google Maps.
2⃣ Financial Services – Mobile banking, PayPal, digital wallets.
3⃣ Intra-business Apps – Delivery tracking, supply chain.
4⃣ Accessing Information – Voice portals, mobile web browsing.
5⃣ Telemetry – Remote monitoring (e.g., Find My iPhone).

What is The Internet of Things?

The connection of everyday objects (cars, appliances, sensors) to the internet, enabling communication between devices.

📌 Examples of IoT:
✔ Smart Homes (Nest thermostat).
✔ Smart Cities (traffic monitoring).
✔ Industrial IoT (automated factories).

What is a Radio-Frequency Identification System (RFID)?

Uses tags with embedded microchips, which contain data, and antennas to transmit radio signals over a short distance to RFID readers.

What are the two basic RFID tags?

1. Active RFID tags - use internal batteries for power, and they broadcast radio waves to a reader.

2. Passive RFID tags - rely entirely on readers for their power.

What are 5 Major Wireless Security Threats?

1⃣ Rogue Access Point – Unauthorized Wi-Fi connection.
2⃣ Evil Twin Attack – Fake Wi-Fi network used for hacking.
3⃣ War Driving – Hackers search for unprotected Wi-Fi.
4⃣ Eavesdropping – Listening to private data transmission.
5⃣ Radio Frequency Jamming – Signal interference blocking communication.

📌 Example: A hacker sets up a fake Starbucks Wi-Fi to steal passwords (Evil Twin Attack).