Annotated Bibliography

Livingston, A. (2004), Smartphones and Other Mobile Devices: The Swiss Army Knives of the 21st Century, Educause Quarterly, Vol. 27, and Issue. 2, 2004, viewed 20th January 2007 http://www.educause.edu/apps/eq/eqm04/eqm0425.asp

The author, researcher at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah had his work published in a featured article of EQ (Educause Quarterly) in which he explains the importance of Web-enabled mobile devices which helps users become more effective, providing them with a variety of tools for different purposes. The featured article focuses on the concept and major categories of MAID (Mobile Access Internet Device) which is an "Internet access device" meaning a device capable of connecting to the internet and communicating with other devices on the Internet using standard Internet protocols, as well as minor categories of MAID. This featured article also mentions the use of MAID by users to help those performing specific tasks in specific situations (Including academic tasks in academic situations) thereby making users smarter and more productive.


Microsoft, 2004, Drexel University, last updated 20th of May 2004, viewed 20th January, 2007, viewed 20th January 2007 http://www.microsoft.com/education/drexeluniversity.mspx

This web based reference is from Microsoft®, which was last updated on 20th May 2004, and is available on the website in the form of a case study. The case study is about their customer, a Philadelphian based Drexel University. It gives an overview of the challenges, solutions and benefits of the newly deployed mobile web portal, which is based on Microsoft.Net Technology. The proposition lies strongly on the users who would get information when and where they would need it, rather than having to wait until they're back at their desktops. The case study also features customer services provided to Drexel University and customer's remarks after the job was done.


Monash University, 2005, Library SMS Notification Service, Viewed 20th January, 2007, viewed 20th January 2007
http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/promotion/coolcampus/projects/librarysms/index.html

The authors, researchers Mr. Huggard, S and Jayaraman, P. P, at Monash University, use data in the Information Technology section to create a research article about the Library SMS Notification Services, to evaluate this new project which will be building an SMS delivery mechanism for the library to notify patrons of book dues, outstanding fines and other supporting facilities. The research article highlights the proposed system working processes, architecture of the existing and the new system and its advantages. The research article is in contrast with the functions of the old system which sends email alerts to students when a book is due, or it is ready to be picked up as well as notices of fines.


Wikipedia, 2007, Handheld Device, last modified 11th of January 2007, viewed 20th January 2007
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_device

This is a web based reference. Wikipedia is a multilingual free online encyclopedia written collaboratively by contributors around the world. Anybody can edit and add to an article on this website. It offers quick understanding on basic to controversial issues. Wikipedia is also a strong source in current affairs. Wikipedia offers free manuals, textbooks and other functional and useful documentations. This article "Handheld Devices" which is published on Wikipedia was last modified on the 11th of January 2007. It highlights and defines handheld devices in a nut shell to in-depth. It is strongly supported to those people who require the assistance and convenience of a conventional computer, in environments where carrying one would not be practicable. In this article one can find a brief history and importance of typical and not so typical handheld devices. The article also sub defines the various categories of these devices and certain services which are associated with them.

Week 8

Mobile devices:

Mobile devices can also be called as handheld devices. A Handheld device (also known as handheld computer or simply handheld) is a pocket-sized computing device, typically utilising a small visual display screen for user output and a miniaturised keyboard for user input. In the case of the personal digital assistant (PDA), the input and output are combined into a touch-screen interface. Along with mobile computing devices such as laptops and smartphones, PDAs are becoming increasingly popular amongst those who require the assistance and convenience of a conventional computer, in environments where carrying one would not be practicable (Wikipedia, 2007). The two major categories are mobile phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs) (Livingston, 2004).

At Drexel University, students who've registered their mobile devices with DrexelOne Mobile can have relevant personal announcements pushed out to them automatically, without having to browse to find the information. Because the student information system can access the personal announcements capability of the mobile portal, students can get their grades as soon as they're posted, learn of last-minute classroom changes, get updates to their schedules, and find out about holds placed on their records (e.g., for late tuition payments). These capabilities are distinct advantages of mobile access, because they bring information to users when and where they need them, rather than requiring the users to wait until they're back at their primary desktops (Microsoft, 2004).

The university can use the announcements feature to disseminate news to the entire campus community easily and quickly. And the headline news service is updated every 10 minutes with the latest sports, entertainment, and general news. The solution includes a searchable university phone directory that operates phonetically, so users don't need to know correct spellings and password-protected access to personalized information (Microsoft, 2004).

In addition to voice, most Web-enabled phones have messaging capability. This includes text messaging, the ability to send a short store and forward text message to another phone (Livingston, 2004).

Monash University, Australia uses mobile services extensively especially the SMS. Besides using SMS for notifying students about results and lecture timetable, it is working to develop SMS services for Monash Library Notification. The project will build an SMS delivery mechanism for the library to notify patrons of book dues and outstanding fines. Similar to the existing email notification of book dues and fines, the SMS system will ensure notification reaches patrons immediately without requiring patrons to have internet access. Using existing mobile pervasive technology, the library can improve its services by being able to reach out to patrons anytime and anywhere (Monash University, 2005).

References

Livingston, A. (2004), Smartphones and Other Mobile Devices: The Swiss Army Knives of the 21st Century, Educause Quarterly, Vol. 27, Issue. 2, viewed 20th January, 2007
http://www.educause.edu/apps/eq/eqm04/eqm0425.asp

Microsoft, 2004, 'Case Study', Drexel University, last updated 20th May 2004, viewed 20th January, 2007
http://www.microsoft.com/education/drexeluniversity.mspx

Monash University, 2005, Library SMS Notification Service, Viewed 20th January, 2007
http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/promotion/coolcampus/projects/librarysms/index.html

Wikipedia, 2007, Handheld Device, last modified, 11th January 2007, viewed 20th January, 2007
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_device