Mobile DevicesMobile computing consists of hand-held/mobile devices usually with a miniature keyboard, which allow users to instantly access information, instantly communicate with others, use applications to solve problems, or just relax and socialize with others while on the go. These devices generally consist of smart phones and tablet computers. Most mobile devices use touch screens, which allows the consumer to interact in a unique way with their device. The most important technology within mobile devices is the device’s operating system. Operating systems include Android, RIMM, IOS, and Windows Phone 7. According to NPD, the current market share of operating systems being used in the Smartphone industry is Android with 53% of the market, IOS with 29% of the market, RIMM with 10% of the market, and Windows mobile with 3% of the market. (Sakr, 2011) The operating systems vary by system, but operating systems are a large part of what have made mobile devices so popular. These operating systems give mobile users an easy to use interface, are ready to operate in seconds, and access to hundreds of thousands of applications (programs) specifically designed to meet the consumers need. Applications can help users do almost anything, but some of the main things that it provides educational resources, social networks, entertainment, and instant access to desired information instantly.
The smartphone market is highly competitive as several companies compete in providing the hardware for the smart phone devices. Currently the most market share for smartphones is held by Samsung taking the top position in the smartphone market taking a 23.8 percent share of the global market to Apples 14.6 percent and Nokia was third with a 14.4 percent share, according to data released by research firm Strategy Analytics. (Ribeiro, 2011) The smartphone instury is also growing rapidly, Strategy Analytics said, “Global smartphone shipments grew 44 percent annually to reach a record 117 million units in the third quarter of 2011”. (Ribeiro, 2011) Tablets are growing quickly, but the tablet market is less competitive than the smartphone market. The Ipad is the clear market leader in the tablet industry, yet several other tablets compete in the marketplace. About 10.3 million tablets were sold in the U.S. in 2010, the market researcher estimates. It expects tablet
s to account for at least 26 percent of all tablet sales, and the cost of providing a reliable, safe and easy to use alternative.
Today, smartphones and e-readers are gaining popularity. On September 10, Nokia announced that it will sell 1,400 of its 5.6 million and 9.9 million unit phones to customers and customers in the United States. Nokia’s iPhone smartphones are gaining popularity. With the introduction of the 6.4-inch and 6.8-inch, which offer larger screen sizes, Windows 8 devices are gaining popularity as well. The iPhone® 8.1 is a popular Android phone for its high-end design and is available for pre-order by Apple, Samsung, LG, HTC and Sony. Surface® 3 is the latest Windows 7® device, and Windows 8.1 has the Windows Store app for Windows 8 as its only official operating system. Surface is also one of the first Windows operating systems to come to the Surface Tablets. Surface is also one of the first Windows OSes to come to tablets through a Microsoft.com partnership. The Surface Tablets will be an essential part of Microsoft’s efforts to grow the Windows ecosystem. These smartphones will be made by Microsoft and Lenovo, the two largest OEMs for Windows on Microsoft’s Windows platform. In recent years, Surface has expanded to about 80,000 devices sold, which means almost 2.7 billion more devices sold through Microsoft’s Windows Store than the operating system’s 64,000 devices. This growing penetration of tablets and smartphones will create many opportunities for businesses worldwide to build more tablets and smartphones, and expand their market share by creating more jobs. The new generation of tablets and smartphones is being built by Microsoft’s Office 365 business customers, which is growing at a strong rate. Surface is also on the growth chart as the company is expected to add over 600 new desktops to the Windows Platform and Microsoft is expected to add more than 30 new Office Surface Devices. Surface will be used by many offices by U.S., international and regional workers, so it makes sense that Microsoft will also provide the devices for work-related activities that the American worker needs, such as helping him with his or her workday routines. The Windows Platform is a part of the enterprise network that Microsoft announced earlier this year. For Surface users, the Windows platform is an operating system for all of their devices that serves as a platform for developers to develop their apps and build for other organizations to benefit from the enterprise software. Office 365 is Microsoft Outlook and Office Connectivity. Outlook is a suite of online and mobile applications that help meet and manage the IT needs of individuals, small businesses and multinational organizations that are seeking a more centralized, distributed and well-connected information management system. Outlook has launched Office 2013, the company’s most recent version for employees, customers and organizations. It continues to be Microsoft’s major product platform and represents the next generation in the Office productivity suite and the most critical feature of Office 2013. Office 2013 also includes improvements for Microsoft Office Solutions. The Office Share suite of Office products provides developers with the ability to create and share SharePoint applications for a wide range of IT, educational, marketing, social and administrative functions. Microsoft is also supporting Office 365 Access to help employers build cloud-based Office software that enables more people to manage their own organization and provide services to users. In addition, Microsoft is partnering with over 100 international businesses to provide them with a more secure, seamless, and competitive offering for Windows in all regions of the world. In addition to working with business partners to bring new Office products and services to more businesses, Office has been recognized as the Best Business Solution for the 10 of 2012 by Best Online Access in the United States and Best Mobile Business Solution by Best Mobile Enterprise and Mobile Online Access is recognized as Best Online Access