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

Mobile Computing Mobile Computing A StarGazing Discussion Colin Higgs colin.higgs@ed.ac.uk Mobile Computing – Colin Higgs Slide 1

Outline Outline ● Stargazing. ● Technologies and tasks. ● A technology led discussion. ● What the University might use. Mobile Computing – Colin Higgs Slide 2

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 3

Technologies and Tasks Technologies and Tasks ● Should we think if the push and pull of technologies vs. tasks... Technologies Tasks ● Mobile Computing ● Teaching ● Wireless networking ● Research ● Middleware ● Administration ● ... ● ... Mobile Computing – Colin Higgs Slide 4

Technologies and Tasks Technologies and Tasks ● ...or should we think of technologies and tasks orthogonally: Technologies Mobile comp. Teaching Research Tasks Mobile Computing – Colin Higgs Slide 5

A Strategic Discussion A Strategic Discussion Mobile Computing – Colin Higgs Slide 6

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 7

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 8

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 9

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 10

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 11

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 12

Questions? Questions? Mobile Computing – Colin Higgs Slide 13