mobile computing for students

Are you a student wanting to know some more about the benefits of mobile computing for you? Take a look at this link for a few ideas and interesting views:

http://www.laptopmag.com/l/back-to-school.aspx

As expected, tablets are becoming more popular too as availability of different models increases. Take a look here at the Kohjinsha SK3, for example:

http://products.liliputing.com/products/?id=527

Thanks to laptopmag and lilliputing for these articles.

bluetooth printing

I came across this interesting entry on the HP website.

Its all about how handy bluetooth printing is from phones and other portable devices these days - and, of course, how easy it all is with HP printers.

See the article here: http://www.hp.com/united-states/consumer/digital_photography/free/software/mobile-printing.html

You can see more on bluetooth compatible portable HP printers in the mytex on-line store. Don't forget, there are more than just HP printers out there!

Weathering the storm of recession

In the Oxfordshire area, we are still seeing jobs being lost as the recession bites deeper and margins are squeezed ever tighter but many believe that now is the time to invest in initiatives to help businesses secure their futures - and their employees prospects. Computing mobility and connectivity will play a key role in delivering sorely needed benefits.

The difficult times we are all living through should encourage businesses to invest in a review of their own operations to identify areas of productivity improvement and flexibility. Busy managers out on the road or particularly during their daily commute should be making the most of their time. There is no doubt that being able to connect to base or the internet while on the move can be a key factor in refining procedures and enhancing efficiency.

Education is also key and we should not forget that our university students also need the right tools for the job. Research via the internet, the production of computer based project work and the need to communicate with educational establishments as well as colleagues is becoming increasingly important. The use of portable devices like laptops and netbooks for this are one of the few areas which are still in a growth market in 2009 – netbooks in particular appear to be the devices most sought after by the student fraternity for their price, portability and convenience.

Ultra-mobile PCs

The benefits from mobility become ever clearer and it's self evident that more and more people want to take advangtage of it just as others are starting to accept it as given.

We all have portable devices these days. We have accepted them into our everyday lives like we have accepted the car, the bicycle, rubbish on TV, corrupt politicians and benefit cheats. All in the garden is rosy for some people as they accept more handouts from the government they don't deserve or need while those who have worked and contributed all their lives get royally screwed.

I digress....

...but it's true that the case for mobility goes on. Next on the scene will be the "Ultra Mobile Lifestyle PCs".

These devices will be:

• Small - at least no larger that todays standard laptop
• Have battery life to last for days - possible with advances in battery technology. After all, who wants the hassle of charging things up all the time? We might even see solar powered variations. By the way this could even mean we get a reliable operating system - one you can leave running without needing to reboot every 5 minutes just to get your applications to work!
• Be connected to networks all the time to maximise convenience (through 3.5G or better communications)
• You might wear these devices like a hat or a pair of glasses or clothes rather than "take them with you" like a mobile phone.
• Have touch-screen functionality rather than a keyboard to save on weight and space.
  
  

This may be a little in the future but is not too far away as the technology is already there - it's just a case of putting the various components together in a way that hits the right price-point for consumers.

Mytex will be at the forefront in the supply of this technology.

current trends in netbooks and laptops

The future is exciting. New tools and devices are coming out all the time to increase connectivity options or just make the mobile computing experience more useful, affordable and pleasurable. It really is “wherever you are, whatever you need”.

The massive increase in the market for netbooks is a perfect example. Netbooks now account for 8% of total “PC” shipments and initiatives from the manufacturers like Gigabyte and Asus with their tablet netbooks continue to drive the market and help maintain growth of netbook sales.

New innovations in the netbook market continue.

Plans to address the decline in laptop popularity (and fight against the recession) are also in the pipeline with the advent of ultra-thin laptops and low voltage, battery conserving, processors. Watch out on the Mytex website for these new products.

Things are hotting up for mobile broadband too - another way to boost sales and drive the market. See here: http://beldames.com/archives/2009/06/25/boom-time-for-mobile-broadband-industry/.

Mobile computing -laptop and netbook bundles

Welcome to my first blog post.

Over the coming months/years/who knows, I'll be adding comments to this blog relating to my company (Mytex Limited - find it at http://www.mytex.co.uk/), what we are doing with it and basically anything to do with mobile computing equipment and computing bundles. I hope you find it interesting and join in the discussions.

I'm starting with some thoughts on where mobile computing is going at the moment in my view from the boundary. You'll find similar postings and information in our newsletters - just visit our reference and resources page to sign-up. Enjoy.

My view from the boundary.
To start with, I thought it would be interesting to revisit a frequently used term - "mobile computing". It's such a common term these days but a refresher on what it actually means in a fast changing industry like IT would be interesting and useful.

So lets get straight down to business by defining what we mean by “mobile computing”.
…and, hey presto, there you are, straight up against a problem! The problem being that there are just so many different ways to define the term – primarily because it means so many different things to different people and organisations.

Here are some definitions pulled off the web:

• "Mobile computing is a generic term describing one's ability to use technology while moving".
• "Using a computing device while in transit. Mobile computing implies wireless transmission, but wireless transmission does not necessarily imply mobile computing".
• "Mobile computing is using a computer (of one kind or another) while on the move".
• "Mobile computing is an umbrella term used to describe technologies which enable people to access network services anytime, anyplace, anywhere".

You may have noticed that there is an underlying theme running through all of these definitions.

To my mind, the theme has 3 factors: convenience, portability and implied connectivity….all of which are essential if we:

• as organisations are to enhance efficiency and productivity, improve customer service and increase profits.
• as individuals are to derive convenience and flexibility allowing us to enjoy greater pleasure and advantage from mobile computing use.

These are the primary reasons for the increased popularity of mobile computing in all its guises. It enables us to more effectively fulfil our daily routine – no matter what that routine may involve:

If connectivity is needed, todays wireless coverage in the UK and the availability of 3 and 3.5G modems at reasonable cost allow it through simple add-ons to mobile computing components (its an easy add-on to the mobile office bundles we sell at Mytex).

If convenience and practicality is more important to you, then you need light weight solutions which can go with you wherever you are or just be safely stowed away when not in use. Again, see our mobile office bundles for examples.

Portability speaks for itself.

Tim Mulligan

(Founder and Director at Mytex Limited - http://www.mytex.co.uk/)