Mobile Devices
Compare Cell Phone Providers
- 4 major providers: Verizon, ATT, Sprint, T Mobile - all offer the same service, but differ in speed, network size, pricing - often offer discounts on Smartphones in exchange for extended service contracts - often offer family plans to encourage more users - often offer discounts for increased data use
Future of Apps
- Apps in 10 years? Trends indicate: - cell networks will offer more bandwidth - apps will use more video - virtual reality = more engaging games - apps will conglomerate (ex. Facebook controls many apps already)
Cell Phone Apps
- Apps make cell phones useful/fun - some are pre-installed for making cals or sending texts or taking photos - other apps are easily downloaded - iOS and Android: 1.5 million + apps - Windows phone: 400k
Categories of Apps
- Games: 20% - Business: 10% - Educational: 10% - Lifestyle: 9% - Entertainment: 7%
Tablet Computers
- Mobile Computer: uses mobile OS - Touch screen display - Typically, screen size over 7 inches
SMS and MMS
- SMS: short message service, text messages of up to 160 characters - SMS messages: sent through an SMS center (no encryption) - MMS: multimedia messaging service: for larger messages, images, etc - MMS: similar to email, message goes to an MMS server, is encrypted, stored, and then transmitted
Analog-Digital Converter
- Smartphones process/store digital signals, humans only speak/hear analog waves - Analog-Digital converters make smartphones possible - change sound waves into digital signals by "sampling" the sound wave to create a digital signal
App Data Usage
- Streaming video uses the most data by far - most video streaming allow you to decrease quality/data usage - any app with embedded videos (ex. Facebook) uses significant data as well - streaming music does not use as much data
Other Cellular Providers
- US Cellular: largely owned by Sprint - Cricket: owned by ATT - MetroPCS: owned by T Mobile - Straight Talk, TracFone: owned by America Movil
Syncing
- allows copies of files from one device being placed in another - Originating folder = source - Receiving folder = target - users can quickly copy files so they can be used on multiple devices - most common: synching phone to computer or another phone to share photos, videos, or music
Cell Phone Providers
- also called Carriers or Mobile Network Operators - sell subscriptions for cellular service - Physical infrastructure: cell towers and antennas, mobile switching stations - need license from government to use radio frequencies - only large companies can compete nationally, though smaller markets (cities) often have many smaller providers
Google Hangouts
- also called Google Talk or Gchat - allows users to Screenshare, video conference, share media IM app requiring: - computer (or smartphone) - internet - microphone and camera for conference
Mobile Switching Station
- also called Mobile switching center or Mobile Telephone Switching Office (MTSO) Major functions: - finds/identifies cell phones - assigns frequencies to cell calls - sends call to the receiver's station - changes the cell and Base Transceiver Station (antenna) as phone moves between cells
Base Transceiver Station
- also called Radio Base Station - connected to a cell tower - broadcasts low-power microwave signals to create "cells" of coverage - sends cell phone signals to Mobile Switching Station
Prepaid Phones
- also called pay-as-you-go or "burner" phones - no long-term contracts or credit checks - used for calling/texting only, useful if you just want a cell phone for emergencies - phones come with pre-paid calling or texting limits: minutes added for fees - Popular providers: Tracphone, Straight Talk, Cricket, MetroPCS
Cell Phone Radiation Levels
- cell phones emit microwaves generally under 1 watt - cell phones generate a tiny amount of heat - World Health Organization: no adverse health effects have been proven but there may be risks - several studies link cell phone use with low sperm count - studies indicate that pregnant mice exposed to low microwave emissions had offspring with ADHD like behavior
Tethering
- connecting computing devices - With a cell phone: tethering refers to using cell phone to create a Wi-Fi hot spot - Most modern smartphones have tethering capability, but some cellular plans charge for tethering - Tethering uses cell phone's data: monitor your usage!
Data Plans
- data refers to the downloading of video, music, and image files - Streaming made unlimited data plans impractical for most proviers - Most providers charge for connection, and data plans are added
Differentiate between 3G, 4G, and LTE
- description of cell network speed - G stands for generation - LTE stands for long term evolution - designations don't equal speeds, but generally LTE is the fastest and 3G is the slowest - 3G phones: less expensive, save battery life, good for phone calls and texting - 4G and LTE: best for streaming, uploading photos or videos
Creating Cell Phone Apps
- doesn't take programming experience - start by downloading easy app building tools - numerous YouTube tutorials For iPhone apps: Download Xcode and Swift from the Mac App store For Android apps: Download Android Studio and SDK manager
Apple's Iphone
- first iPhone: 2007 - Now = 20% of all smartphones (worldwide), most popular in US
iPhone Operating System
- iOS - developed by Apple for Apple products only - Most popular smartphone OS in the US: known for ease of use - includes numerous Apple apps such as iTunes, FaceTime, Safari, and Siri - 3rd party apps: must be reviewed and approved by Apple
Cell Phone Bill Overview
- include basic monthly charges for phone and data, equipment changes for things like new phones, and taxes and surcharges
Blackberry
- known for having a physical keyboard - Blackberry phones use only Blackberry OS - high security - Huge market share in 2007 but has since dropped significantly - New Blackberry Leap uses virtual keyboard: was not very successful - still very popular in some overseas markets
Android OS
- most widely used smartphone/tablet OS: over 1 billion users - Open-source, Linux based: manufacturers can use without cost - Versions have candy names - Smooth interface with Gmail and Google+ - Relies on 3rd party apps to increase functionality
Cell Phone Bill Data Usage
- offered by most cell phone providers - note that nearly all data is used for Webs and Apps (games) or Facebook, etc - Audio services (Pandora, etc) use very little data - Phoning and texting uses minimal data
Cell Phone Bill Line Charge
- providers charge for each additional line on your account - smartphones usually incur a premium charge plus if it's a new phone you may want to purchase insurance for the phone - an older 3G phone could save you money
Adjust settings in Skype
- select Skype tab to view the settings you can adjust - select online status to display your status to your Skype contacts - select Profile to change your picture, change sounds, or to edit your profile - select Privacy to adjust a variety of Skype settings including Privacy and Notifications
Mechanics of Instant Messaging
- similar to texting - uses the internet - both users must be online and using the same IM app
Digital Signal Processor
- small computer inside smartphones - analyzes signals received from the Analog-Digital converter to enhance audio quality - reduces unwanted noise - moderates call volume - buffers call to ensure a smoother connection
Memory in Cell Phones
- smartphone = small computer - all computers have RAM (memory) and storage - smartphone manufacturers confuse this by calling both RAM and storage "memory" New phones come with: - 500 MB - 4 GB RAM (memory) - 8-124 GB storage - some phones allow for additional storage with microSD cards
Adding Storage to a Smartphone
- some smartphones allow you to add storage (you can't add RAM to a smartphone) - increased photo, music, and video storage - added storage is solid state: fast, durable, efficient - type of added storage (microSD) depends on model of phone - can't add storage to iPhones
Cell Phone Security
- use antivirus software (ex. McAfee, Norton, AVG) - phones easily misplaced or stolen - apps such as "Where's my Droid" and "Find my iPhone" are handy
Roaming
- used in areas where home networks have no coverage - Home network: your cellular provider - Visited network: network available in area you're visiting - Home network must have agreements with Visited network - Roaming often incurs additional charges called "roaming fees"
Windows Phone
- uses a Microsoft-created OS - Uses Bing as search engine - Has "assistant app" called Cortana - Uses Xbox music and Games apps - has not been commercially successful
Installing App on iPhone
1.) Find the App Store 2.) Click App Store icon 3.) Click Search (magnifying glass) 4.) Type desired program 5.) Click desired program 6.) Follow instruction
Synching iPhone to Macbook
1.) Open iTunes 2.) Use a USB to connect your phone to your MacBook 3.) If your phone doesn't show immediately, go to the iTunes Store and find it in the library 4.) In the Summary tab, select "Sync with this device"
Installing an App on Droid
1.) Tap the Apps icon 2.) Swipe left until you see the Play Store app 3.) Tap the Play Store app and enter Google sign-in 4.) Search for desired program 5.) Click on program and follow instructions
Tethering an Android
1.) Verify that data plan includes tethering 2.) Tap "Settings" 3.) Under "Wireless/Networks", tap "Tethering" 4.) Turn on portable Wi-Fi, and notice the password 5.) Open the Wi-Fi on your laptop or other device 6.) Find your iPhone's Wi-Fi 7.) When you enter the password, you're in
Tethering an iPhone
1.) Verify that data plan includes tethering 2.) Tap "Settings" 3.) Tap Personal Hotspot Off 4.) Tap on Personal Hotspot 5.) Open your computer or other device's Wi-Fi 6.) Select your iPhone 7.) Enter Wi-Fi Password from iPhone Personal Hotspot page
Comparing Cell Phone Manufacturers
2 major categories of cell phones: - 3G phones: 30% of US sales - Smartphones: 70% Samsung and Apple - biggest cell phone manufacturers: - Apple: smartphones only (iPhone) - Samsung: 3G and smartphones Other manufacturers: Google (Pixel), HTC, Microsoft (Nokia), Huawi, LG, Lenovo, Motorola, Xiaomi
Amazon Fire
2 major categories: Fire HD and Fire HDX Fire HD: low priced tablet - display options up to 10 inches - 1 GB RAM - Up to 32 GB storage Fire HDX: mid range tablet - 7 or 8.9 inch display - 2 GB RAM - Up to 64 GB storage
Microsoft Surface Pro
A 2-in-1 computer: not strictly a tablet uses full (Windows 10) OS - Touchscreen: detachable keyboard sold separately Surface Pro 4: 12.3 inch display in many options - 4-16 GB RAM - 128 GB - 1 TB storage - Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
Samsung Tablets
Galaxy Note Series: - generally higher-end tablets - include stylus (S-pen) - Galaxy Note Pro is the top end Samsung tablet: options include 12.2 inch display, 3 GB RAM, 64 GB storage Galaxy Tab Series: - generally mid-range tablets - use touchscreen (no stylus) - many options including: 10.5 inch display, 3 GB RAM, 64 GB storage - you can usually add microSD storage to Samsung Tablets
Samsung Phones
Samsung released the Galaxy cellphone: 2009 - large variety of cellphones - 2 major smartphone models: Galaxy and Note - Note: large screen with stylus - Smartphones use Android OS Highly Innovative - Galaxy S7 Edge: wraparound screen - Galaxy S7 Active: water/dust proof
How a Smartphone Connects to the Internet
Through a cellular network: - data charges may apply - available whenever you receive a 4G or LTE signal - Download speeds limited by cellular system or data plan Through a Wi Fi signal - does not incur data plan charges - only available in areas of Wi Fi reception - No download/upload limitations - often faster speeds
Apple iPads
iPad Pro: - 12.9 inch display - 4 GB RAM - 32 or 128 GB storage iPad Air 2: - 9.7 inch display - 2 GB RAM - 16, 64, or 128 GB storage iPad Mini 4: - 7.9 inch display - 2 GB RAM - 16, 64, or 128 GB storage all either wi-fi or wi-fi+cellular