With its new Memor 20, Datalogic comments that it is launching a PDA that empowers users in retail, field services, logistic environments and healthcare with a device that combines the best features of a smartphone with the highest standards of enterprise level devices.
Mobile Computers, Mobile Computing
Mobile computers are handheld or wearable devices that allow users to access computing resources while away from a fixed location. They typically have a smaller form factor than traditional desktop or laptop computers, and they often have features that make them ideal for use in mobile environments, with ruggedized designs and long battery life. Mobile computing involves interaction between the user and a small, portable computer device that can be used on site or in the field. Modern mobile computers also often feature a raft of features; including camera, barcode scanner, phone and Internet access. This coming together of what have historically been features available on separate devices, is often referred to as Convergence.
The new Datalogic Memor 20 combines Enterprise PDA strength with the user friendliness of a Smartphone
May 06, 2020
Suprema launches Suprema Mobile Access contactless solution
Apr 28, 2020
Suprema, the security and biometrics solutions provider, has announced 'Suprema Mobile Access', a new mobile contactless solution and complete platform for managing, issuing and tracking access credentials using smartphones.
Mismanaged mobile technology is costing retailers - it’s time for a change
Mar 18, 2020
By Gary Lee, Chief Revenue Officer at the mobility specialists, B2M Solutions.
Retail workers today depend on mobile devices. Whether to scan barcodes for inventory management, or more sophisticated uses of mobility including mobile point-of-sale (POS) system, mobile returns, and endless-aisle applications, front line retail workers as well as warehouse personnel need their mobile devices to be fully operational at all times.
Connexas Group rebrands alcohol interlock system to Breathalock
Mar 09, 2020
Connexas Group, provider of technology-enabled, fleet management and mobile worker solutions, has re-named and re-branded its alcohol interlock system to Breathalock.
Half of British professionals state technology hinders work-life balance
Mar 03, 2020
Some 80% of employees hoped that tech-enabled remote working capabilities would give them better work-life balance.
Star Micronics launches SteadyLAN for iOS to provide reliable network access for iPad POS
Feb 25, 2020
Star Micronics, the manufacturer of mobile, point of sale (POS), and customer engagement technologies, as introduced SteadyLAN, claimed to be an industry-first solution designed to provide power and network access to iPad POS through one Lightning cable connection.
Technology integration: The vital centrepiece at the heart of great customer engagement
Feb 19, 2020
With retail no longer limited to the sales floor, retailers recognise that each interaction is now much more than a transaction. The traditional checkout remains important, of course, but customers expect fast, easy, personalised service – regardless of location, device or platform – at every touchpoint.
Transformative PopGrips from PopSockets now available in Carphone Warehouse UK
Feb 13, 2020
PopGrips from PopSockets are now available in Carphone Warehouse stores nationwide across the UK and also online at CarphoneWarehouse.com. PopGrips have quickly become a global phenomenon and are favoured by a host of celebrities and royalty around the world - often appearing in Insta stories on the back of smartphones showing off their stunning designs and uniqueness.
Smartphones and the circular economy
Feb 04, 2020
What do you do with your old smartphone when you no longer need it? Chances are, you keep it.
According to a survey conducted by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), 45 per cent of UK households have two to five unused electronic devices at home. Here Neil Ballinger, head of EMEA sales at automation equipment supplier EU Automation, discusses smartphones and the circular economy.
More than two-thirds of consumers believe mobile technology delivers a better shopping experience, new report finds
Jan 20, 2020
A new State of Mobility in Retail Report by SOTI Inc., provider of mobile and IoT management solutions, reveals that 67.3% of consumers perceive mobile technology as the most effective way to provide a faster shopping experience.
Mobile Computers
Mobile computers are used in a variety of industries, including retail, healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics. They are used for tasks such as inventory management, barcode scanning, data entry, and customer service.
Some of the most common types of mobile computers include:
- Handheld computers are small, portable devices that are typically held in one hand. They have a touchscreen display, a keyboard, and a barcode scanner. Handheld computers are often used in retail and logistics applications.
- Tablet computers are larger than handheld computers, but they are still portable enough to be used in mobile environments. They have a touchscreen display, a keyboard, and a variety of other features, such as cameras, GPS, and cellular connectivity. Tablet computers are often used in healthcare, education, and government applications.
- Wearable computers are devices that are worn on the body. They can be in the form of watches, glasses, or headsets. Wearable computers often have features that allow users to interact with their surroundings, such as gesture recognition and voice control. Wearable computers are still in their early stages of development, but they have the potential to revolutionize the way we interact with computers.
Mobile computers offer a number of advantages over traditional desktop or laptop computers, including:
- Portability: Mobile computers are small and lightweight, making them easy to carry around.
- Wireless connectivity: Mobile computers typically have wireless connectivity, which allows users to access data and applications from anywhere.
- Durability: Mobile computers are often ruggedized, making them resistant to damage from bumps, drops, and dust.
However, mobile computers also have some disadvantages, including:
- Smaller screens: The screens on mobile computers are typically smaller than the screens on desktop or laptop computers, which can make it difficult to view data and applications.
- Limited battery life: Mobile computers typically have shorter battery life than desktop or laptop computers.
- Security risks: Mobile computers are more susceptible to security risks than desktop or laptop computers, as they are often connected to public Wi-Fi networks.
Mobile computing
Today with the proliferation of a new generation of mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets and PDAs, the emphasis is increasingly shifting to mobile and multi-device user experience, mobile social computing, next generation mobile solutions, mobile cloud services and infrastructure. Mobile computing is typically characterised by its portability, meaning that users can take their devices with them and use them in different locations.
Mobile computing has three aspects: mobile communication, mobile hardware, and mobile software. The first aspect addresses communication issues in ad-hoc and infrastructure networks as well as communication properties, protocols, data formats and concrete technologies. The second aspect is on the hardware, e.g., mobile devices or device components. The third aspect deals with the characteristics and requirements of mobile applications.
Key features of mobile computing:
- Portability: Mobile devices are small and lightweight, making them easy to carry around. This allows users to access computing resources from anywhere.
- Connectivity: Mobile devices typically have wireless networking capabilities, which allows them to connect to the internet or other networks. This provides users with access to a wide range of resources, such as web pages, email, and applications.
- Ubiquity: Mobile devices are now ubiquitous, meaning that they are widely available and used by people of all ages. This has led to the development of a wide range of mobile applications that cater to different needs and interests.
Applications of mobile computing:
- Web or Internet access: Mobile devices can be used to access the internet, which allows users to browse web pages, check email, and use online applications.
- Global Position System (GPS): Mobile devices can use GPS to determine their location, which can be used for a variety of purposes, such as navigation, tracking, and emergency services.
- Emergency services: Mobile devices can be used to call for emergency services, such as the police or fire department.
- Entertainment services: Mobile devices can be used to play games, watch videos, and listen to music.
- Educational services: Mobile devices can be used to access educational resources, such as textbooks, online courses, and apps.
Rugged Mobile devices and PDAs are used in field service and workforce management applications. They are particularly useful for field service engineers recording work in the field, communicating information back to an office environment -sending and receiving invoices, ordering parts. They are commonly used in parcel delivery with couriers using these devices to scan barcodes and record signatures as proof of delivery.
Innovations in wireless technology, energy-efficient portable hardware and adaptive software, has enabled a massive growth in the use of these devises for businesses across the enterprise or for personal and social use. These devices are now so versatile that employees are using smartphones for business applications (BYOD –Bring Your Own Device)
This phrase has become widely adopted to refer to employees who bring their own computing devices – such as smartphones, laptops and PDAs – to the workplace for use and connectivity on the corporate network.
BYOD Security - Employees using personal smartphones and mobile devices at work, pose a security risk. Many corporations that allow employees to use their own mobile devices at work implement a BYOD security policy that clearly outlines the company's position and governance policy to ensure network security is not compromised by employees using their own devices at work.
Email and Web access is a reality that is experienced by millions of users worldwide through their smartphones and tablets. Hot spot access points for Wi-Fi connection are becoming more prevalent and widespread, even in London`s underground network.
Cloud computing is evolving as a new paradigm of computing in which dynamically scalable and often virtualized resources are provided as a service over the Internet. The confluence of hardware virtualization, cloud and mobile computing drives the new era of mobile cloud computing. Platforms such as android, iOS, Windows 7 erodes the power of computing platforms like Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac OS and is creating cross platform app centric environment in which end-users and in particular the consumer marketplace will drive developments in business computing. There are endless possibilities that can be brought about with the mobile cloud in the near future.
