The single vs. many device solution for mobile computing

Here’s my current take on the continuing debate in terms of mobile and/or transportable computing. At least for now, I really need more than one device for a typical range of computing needs. If you need most – if not all – of the features that you have come to rely on when using a PC, then the iPad or similar device will not generally handle what a netbook (else laptop) can do. Other factors come into play in this comparison: battery life, size, weight, and cost. On these and other issues, the netbook would be the best single device choice, but a single device is not the best choice for me.

A similar comparison based on supporting many features applies to smartphones. If you need to access Web sites that rely on Java support for authenticated login and/or Flash for media (such as a Flash-based Web site, playing streaming video, etc.), the current iPhone and/or iPad will not handle these tasks. For example, teaching work requires Java-based login into Web sites for online college courses, so I chose a Droid smartphone for mobile computing.

By virtue of their size, smartphones are not useful for extensive typing and other computing tasks and even in the case of Android devices, they do not always connect as well as a netbook to WiFi in hotels and other locations.

Mine is a many-device solution: I carry the Droid smartphone and a netbook when traveling. Not only do both devices carry well in a briefcase or backpack and fit nicely into the smallest of hotel safes, they also work together in a complementary manner. This combo works well for me in terms of using the smartphone when I am walking or driving and using the netbook when I am in the hotel or conference site, otherwise storing it in the hotel safe or locked in the car trunk. I also need to transfer image and video with audio data from my digital camera to my netbook to reuse memory cards and backup these files to flash media via USB in support of my conference presentations and book research.

Granted, the tablet PCs and e-book readers with their enhanced features offer an excellent platform for mobile/transportable entertainment and communications. When you consider their use in the context of educational activities such as reading and taking notes, the eventual adoption/support of these devices as the preferred platform in online learning seems inevitable as does many mobile working tasks where limited communications and computing are the norm. In fact, those features are what will likely move me to adopt the iPad in certain usage contexts (especially as an author planning to launch color image with text publications).

Thus, I am left with a question that I can’t answer, but I wonder if anyone can in terms of their own collective needs for mobile and/or transportable computing: is there a single device solution for the road? I welcome your personal insights and experience with mobile and/or transportable computing devices in reply.

About this entry

Title: The single vs. many device solution for mobile computing

Published:: 06.04.10

Category:: emerging educational technology, mobile computing, mobile learning, online learning and teaching

About

Welcome to my blog!

This blog is one of the software tools used to support communication and learning on the programhouse.com Web site.

Riding the Crest of Change is the motto of this blog and a phrase that I often use in describing the unifying topic area covered here: technology innovation and how it affects us (and vice versa).

As we reflect on this great wave of change and where it has carried us, we can see that it is dynamic and constantly growing. It is not merely technological, but social; not merely fixed, but mobile. We look forward as well, to where we sense it is moving so that we can catch and hold it in ways that help us continue to ride the crest of change.

I hope that you will find the on-going dialog that develops here of interest to you as well. Please feel free to offer your posted comments to enrich this dialog.

Thanks for joining us here and welcome aboard,

Doc

James 09.04.10.10 / 8am

Doc, you pose an interesting question. One I’m afraid I cannot answer either; however, I can give my opinion. In my 14 years in the Marine Corps I have had to travel not only within the continental United States, but abroad as well. Like you I have had to use a multi-device solution to meet my needs at any given time. I am unaware of any single device that works well for mobile/transportable computing. And honestly, I do not feel companies such as apple will create one either.

While apple and other companies market their products as the new solution to meet the publics’ need; these new products always seem to fall short – forcing us to use multiple devices. I think this is done on purpose. From a business perspective it makes sense to continue developing new devices that work well with one another, but are incomplete in and of themselves. It forces consumers to purchase multiple devices and generates revenue for the company. Though it makes sense from a consumer perspective to have a single device that can meet your mobile and / or transportable computer needs; I don’t think it makes sense from a manufacturer perspective.

Doc 09.04.10.10 / 10am

Thanks James for sharing your mobile/transportable computing experience and insights. I agree with your evaluation of providing multiple devices from a company’s perspective, but I also have to admit that I am constantly raising the bar on the amount and quality of features I expect when on the road. Perhaps it’s not realistic for me to expect a single device, but if my Droid would connect as well as my netbook to WiFi, I would use it as the sole device on some trips. My latest upgrade includes voice-to-text for document creation, so maybe that would free me from the time I spend posting blog entries, discussion posts, and email with the tiny keys.

Debra 11.04.10.10 / 3pm

If I may give a clothing analogy. Manufacturers don’t design and produce one dress that can be worn as a beach cover-up, to school, to work, and to fancy functions. It’s currently not practical, given the fabrics available. If I only bought one dress for all uses, it could be very expensive because I wouldn’t be buying any others. Right now, I don’t even want such an item. Why pay big bucks for a dress that could go to a fancy function, when I never go to fancy functions? I’d rather buy more, less expensive, pieces of clothing that more precisely fit my specific needs. Same with electronics – some people don’t want one device that will do everything. For those who do, it will be expensive.

Doc 11.04.10.10 / 5pm

Thanks Debra, for illustrating the typical user need for at least some devices over one – not only in terms of cost, but also in terms of features per given range of tasks. Taking your analogy further: when I am packing for a conference trip abroad, my goal is to pack and carry light, whether that is with clothes or mobile/transportable computing devices. Reaching the extreme of one mobile device and one set of clothes may be attainable, but at least for now, not suitable. Maybe nanotechnology will make that a reality.

Debra 12.04.10.10 / 7am

Doc,
One of my interests is augmented reality (AR). When I read your response to my post, your comment about nanotechnology made me think about AR. Maybe one dress could just look like different ones with AR overlays. My favorite AR thought is that you’d think you were staying at the Ritz when you were really at Motel 6. If you watch the Pattie Mays TED video, there are examples of AR where your device is wearable and fulfills many functions. Decisions, decisions!
Debra

Doc 12.04.10.10 / 8am

Yes, Debra, you are illustrating what I was hinting at with my reference to nanotechnology as a source of single “device” solutions to mobile/transportable computing. And AR and the concept of embedded computing can also play a role in realizing this goal.

However, in the case of embedded computing, we can think of the number and types of “devices” as many or more simply that there is a single environment providing on-demand computing. Our creative use of these emerging technologies will likely provide much more choice than we currently make out of the smartphone -tablet – netbook hierarchy.

Nof 26.04.10.10 / 2pm

Using both an iPad and a cellular phone, such as a DROID, Blackberry, etc., is ideal as both are light weight and have a great source of information and many uses. With the combination of both, you are able to complete work or school work and also have time for personal activities, such as email, Facebook, etc. I don’t believe that there is a single device that has everything, however, I believe there might be a device like that coming in the future.

Doc 26.04.10.10 / 3pm

Thanks Nof, for sharing your device preferences for mobile computing. I agree that in the context of school use, the iPad and a smartphone are a useful combination, especially when many schools are adopting e-texts and supporting use of e-reader and tablet computing devices as electronic equivalents of books and notebooks.

Doc's Blog

The single vs. many device solution for mobile computing

About this entry

8 Comments

Have your say

About

Recent Five

Categories