Turning Wireless Technology into Enhanced Mobile Experiences
The following is an excerpt from an upcoming byline authored by Jarkko Vatjus-Anttila, Senior Specialist, Product Management at EB. The full article will run in the March issue of ECN and Wireless Design & Development.
From smartphones to netbooks and everything in between, mobile devices are rapidly changing the way in which the world communicates. New platforms, operating systems and application frameworks are altering the embedded mobile playing field, driving the need for developers to stay ahead of market trends and end-user expectations. The new game has developers more focused on understanding the different technologies being used, and how each can create enriched mobile experiences that match to shifting end-user demands.
Designing to Enrich User-Experience
Being able to establish a proper balance between a device that is powerful, yet conservative in terms of energy consumption, is one of the most difficult equations facing developers. The challenge is to offer a seamless Internet experience, which requires strong processing power, while also managing the power management of the device. At the same time, it's necessary to define a set of appealing core peripherals for the device. For example, the product concept for Mobile Internet Devices (MID) includes display, multiple cameras, connectors, and other wired and wireless interfaces. These elements need to work together seamlessly in order to create a comprehensive package supporting all of the key use-cases from the core hardware level to the end-user.
Summary
While end-users typically do not understand the differences in processor microcode architectures or the distinctions in operating systems or open source policies, these details play key roles for mobile developers. Ultimately, the core technology choices are as important as the look-and-feel of the device itself. It is only by coupling the strongest technical understanding and proper market intelligence with a passion to create out-of-the-box, user-friendly devices, will it be possible to deliver unique and exciting mobile experiences.
