Mobile+Computing+I

Mobile Computing
Tuesday, November 29, 2011 <>

The incredible proliferation of mobile phones, concurrent with the rapid move to more and more computationally powerful and sensor-enabled mobile phones, creates many very interesting business and social development opportunities. In today's class we will use the simple emerging IT analytic framework for evaluating emerging information technologies that was introduced last week to explore emerging applications of ubiquitous mobile computing devices. Specifically, we will consider ways in which mobile phones can be used as sensors to gather data, and data warehousing, business analytics, and cloud computing infrastructure can be used to analyze and act on that data.
 * Topic overview:**

By the end of today's class you should:
 * Be able to identify numerous business and social development opportunities that the ubiquitous spread of mobile phones introduce.
 * Have improved your understanding of the emerging IT framework, and improved your ability to apply it.
 * Be able to use the analysis framework to look at a specific emerging technology (and/or application of that technology) in detail.

Prior to class you need to read the following article from The Economist to help you begin thinking about ways in which mobile devices can be used as large-scale data collection and aggregation devices: [|Mobile phones - Sensors and sensitivity - The Economist June 6 2009.pdf]
 * Preparation for class: **
 * [Econ6_6_09] "Sensors and Sensitivity", The Economist, June 6, 2009, page 21

As a reference, we will be using the Emerging IT Analysis Framework from last week:
 * [Monroe06] Robert Monroe, Emerging Information Technologies Analysis Framework, 2006, updated 2010

Reference materials:
Slides:

**Pre-class exercise:**
Once you have read the article from the Economist, you need to find one or more other innovative ways that people and organizations are using data collected from mobile phones to solve real-world problems, both in business and in society at large. You may use the web, newspapers, magazines, news reports, discussions with experts who are doing this type of work, etc. Identify a use of this sort and post a brief description __identifying what the use is, who is doing so in this way (or who is advocating doing so in the future), and a reference to follow for further information.__ We will select some of the most interesting projects to discuss in class and evaluate with the framework.

To help get you going, four specific applications in which there is significant research work being conducted in this area are: health and disease tracking, environmental monitoring, traffic and congestion management, and ICT for developing economies.

[Bob Monroe] Intel labs and their university partners (including the University of California at Berkeley and Carnegie Mellon) have a research project underway called Common Sense ( [] ). The purpose of this project is to demonstrate the value that would be derived in terms of understanding pollution patterns and air quality dynamics if mobile phones were equipped with simple environmental sensors. This work is referenced briefly in the article from The Economist, but there is significantly more information available on the identified website.

[M Hammad Abbasi] Coming out of researchers from Microsoft Research and Washington Univeristy at St. Louis, MobiSante ([]) is a smart-phone based ultrasound imaging system. Attaching appropriate hardware to a smart phone allows the smart phone to display ultra sound, giving health care clinics around the world affordable and effective ultrasound imaging system to detecting early bleeding quickly, to other major clinical applications. Because of its applications, it will eventually be a very compelling technology for use in hospitals, ERs and disaster relief areas where ultrasound imaging is needed but current technology is too bulky and expensive to carry around.

[Sara Al-Mannai] With the funding from Google Computer scientists at the University of Washington developed the Open Data Kit (http://opendatakit.org) that collect data to help developing countries in issues from “global health to environment”. One example on how this technology helps in global health is a study held by the Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare, a U.S. Agency for International Development-funded partnership between Indiana University and Kenya's Moi University, which helped in collecting data mostly concerning health in countries such Kenya to help track HIV patients and help them to stay updated with doctors and raise awareness at the same time. Other data the technology help collect are guide workers to treat children under the age of 5 in Tanzania, record human right violations, even monitor deforestation. The kit not only collect data from people it can also store and view collected data. Source:(http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091029141249.htm)

[Abdullrahman Al-Muftah] Besides finding out information about environmental issues around the globe, mobile phones have helped another crucial issue: the violation of human rights. The Asian Pacific Network for Sex Workers, has been able to track those in danger through the use mobile phones. This information has helped the organization help those in need not only by tracking human rights violations, but also "war crimes." As the article states, "cell phones have thus expanded the ability of NGOs to understand and address human rights abuses in the developing world by allowing researchers access to even the remotest areas." Therefore, it is important to recognize that mobile phones are now being used as a tool to expose researchers to places where information is almost inexistent. Source: http://www.ethicaltraveler.org/2011/01/can-cell-phones-solve-worlds-problems/

[Fatima Al-Khayat] United Nation Foundation with Vodafone Group Foundation has formed a partnership have a research done using strategic technology programs that aims to aid United Nations in helping humanities in the world. A report has been done on the research and this is the link ([]) The partnership had 3 core obligations: to develop a fast telecommunication teams to aid disaster relief, to build health data system that would help in stopping diseases from spreading and improve health and finally use this technology as a tool to help in international development. For more information (http://www.unfoundation.org/news-and-media/publications-and-speeches/wireless-technology-for-social-change.html)

[Fatima Abdulla]: Siemens is developing intelligent transportation technology for the fast evacuation of people. This project is held in Taxes, as its one of the biggest countries in US. The U.S department of trasnportation also supports this project. The research is basically as the article state it as " The traffic density data collected by the systems is also incorporated into digital road maps, which drivers can download onto their smartphones or navigation systems in order to find the quickest routes out of town.” These data will help them in the process of evacuating the city faster and in more efficient way as they will use cell phones to help gathering the data needed. (Source: http://www.siemens.com/innovation/en/news/2011/cell-phone-signals-help-manage-traffic.htm).

[Haya Al-Mannai]: Mobile phones didn't just help realtors to keep in touch with their clients, it provided a new App called "PixeHome For Agent". This App helps realtors to decrease the cost of buying some valuable gifts in order to gain their clients trust from the first time they meet. This App is provided for realtors with special prices in which they can transfer the App from their phones to their clients phones. PixeHome For Agent provides different services to realtors' clients like tracking the home visited by clients and linking the realtor's phone camera with the client's phone camera. source: http://www.prweb.com/releases/realestate/homebuyingcollaboration/prweb8956263.htm

[Amal Osman] After the sichuan earthquake in China, China started utilizing and using mobile phones in reporting system for infectious disease surveillance. the reporting system was set up by China CDC and the local CDC offices. They wanted to develop a reporting system to run on mobile phones through identifying places to be able to report cases of infectious diseases to the national database in a short time. The mobile phone reporting system was able to help them restore the reporting capacity of health-care agencies in earthquake-affected areas. []

[Ayah Abujarbou] Helsinki Institute for Information Technology came up with BeTelGeuse an application that is used as a tool for data gathering. This tool helps with the transition of data through a mobile network or a GPRS network from one device to another. This App. has the advantage of being freely available and that it runs over multiple platforms. What is different about this App is that it allows data gathering for for more than one topic and is not specific for one single area. Thus, it allows many people to benefit form it. []

[Khadeeejah Al-Husseiny] Use of Mobile phone for helping solve Educational issues in India, is something being considered by many. According to the article the population in India is large and is increasing and the number of uneducated people is also booming, the problem is mainly caused by absenteeism of teachers and difficulty paying tuition. Mobile phones will be used to check attendance of teachers, provide reports, also pay fees from parents of the students, and finally by adding new innovative ways to teach such as integrating radio technology with mobile phones. Source:[]

[Al-Jawhra Al-Mana] Four UK universities are collaborating on a project using three types of mobile, wireless pollution sensors that can measure up to five different traffic pollutants throughout UK. The first sensor can be linked to mobile phones, the second one will be attached to lampposts and traffic lights and the thirds can be fitted to vehicles. the data can be used to advise people with respiratory problems or in a wider range traffic mangers can decide how to phase traffic lights in a way that will reduce traffic pollution. source: []

[Walied El Hag Ali]: Cell-Life Initiative is a project which is a result of the collaboration between University of Cape Town and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. This initiative aims to use a combination of mobile phones and the internet to manage the lives of those who suffer from HIV and to reduce the number of people who die yearly as a result of the disease. By using this application which is installed on every patients mobile phone, the doctors are able to monitor the patient's status regularly and give advices as needed. []

[Hussain Hejji] Many places in Africa and the Phillipenes are now using mobile phones to do mobile banking. According to this article [|http://mobileactive.org/mobile_banking, this] process is called m-banking and it is heavily by telecom companies which are actually helping the people in Africa to transfer money by using their mobile phones. The article actually talk about how people in latin america is suffering of having to go to western union for transfering money because they charge them some percentage like 15% of the amount transfered. It also shows how vodafone telcom company issued an excellent study to show how effective is mobile banking and supporting the radical changes that the mobile phones will have on emerging markets.

[Nasser Al-Khori] Now in Kenya where the EpiSurveyor [] has been developed to be used for all sorts of life-saving data. For example, in a Polio outbreak people can understand where the virus is exposed in three days instead of seven. Therefore, there is a better chance to vaccinate those at risk. The EpiSurveyor software allows people to collect data on phones much faster and easier and can be automatically processed and analyzed therefore, allowing organizations and medics to act fast during changing health circumstances. http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2011/11/17/mobile-phones-and-the-power-of-data-collection/

[Mohammed Kamal]

Now, GPS-enabled phones can automatically transmit bits of data to Waze, Inrix, Google and other traffic app makers that show where you are and how fast you’re moving. Some apps also allow users to report accidents, closed roads or construction (when parked or in standstill traffic, of course). Each company then combines the information to get an idea of traffic conditions and distributes that across its network. These applications help drivers avoid traffic and find other routes to get to their destinations. This will result in users getting to their destination quickly and efficiently. http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/11/14/travel/14practraffic.html?pagewanted=all

[Hamsa M Al-Massri] Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZTUIJDDJbE

Mercedes Benz introduces a mobile remote sensor, where the user could use it to run the engine remotely. This allows the user to easily run their engine using a mobile technology.

[Ahmad Al-Sarraf]

Because of the famine problems in Ethiopia, UNICEF has used mobile phones to monitor and deliver the supplies of high-protein food to under-nourished children. UNICEF managed the food distribution by asking field monitors to use RapidSMS software, which is an SMS reporting system using a UNICEF-built mobile data collection. UNICEF starts implementing this software due to the lack of efficiency and accuracy in field monitors’ reports. By attaching GSM modem to web server receives the incoming SMS messages, replies with a confirmation message, and automatically saves the entry into a database, UNICEF has improved the speed and accuracy of supplying food to the distribution centers. Therefore, UNICEF has made a successful action by implementing the RapidSMS software and it actually helped in coordinating the distribution of food in Ethiopia. For further information about this software, []

[Dua'a Althabatah]: VoiceOver, Zoom, Large Text, White on Black, Mono Audio and Speak Auto-text are all helpful accessibility features that iPhone provides to solve many problems. These features help disabled people to easily use the iPhone and fell like normal people. These features solve many problems that disabled and even some normal people might have, like hearing and vision deficit. Also, these features are very easy to use once configured and once the user knows how to use them. To know more about the iPhone accessibility features visit the link: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3577

[Maryam Al-Thani] Researchers at HP Labs have developed a program called [|CeNSE](Central Nervous System for the Earth) which uses sensors from mobile phones, mobile towers and other sources to make use out information detected by sensors. HP hopes to use these sensors to track the weather, monitor traffic, and tracking hospital equipment. This technology will enable real-time data collection and will allow for increased and more accurate analysis of the data. The sensors are similar to RFID chips, however, they detect motions and movements. []

[Jevika Shetty] Researchers from Queensland University of Technology at Austrailia aims at developing a sensor network based on smartphones that can automatically collect and analyse acoustic and visual data for environmental monitoring purposes. This sensor network utilizes client-server architecture and collects, store and processes the data after which it is sent to a remote server for further processing. Source: []

[Firas Bata]: The increasing availability of mobile phones has led to an increasing dependency on such devices. In developing countries, such as Kenya, it is sometimes considered very expensive do journalism considering the expensive equipments required. Some media companies started depending on "citizen media" which is basically media recorded by citizens using mobile phones. After the 2007 elections in Kenya, many interviews were recorded using mobile phones distributed to "Community Information Volunteers". Similarly, phones were used to record audio or textual media. This approach reduced the costs for TV Channels, radio channels, and newspapers and made news more available to the citizens of Kenya. Source: http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/democracy_and_governance/publications/pdfs/Mobile_Voice_Citizen_Media.pdf

[Mohammed Al-Rawahi]: Project Surya is an organization that is trying to fight climate change. Currently it is using mobile phones to gather data for healthier planet and healthier people. The collected data is for measuring black carbon (BC). Working with their partners at the Center for Embedded Network Sensing (CENS) at UCLA and at Nexleaf Analytics, Project Surya will design a mobile phone platform to measure BC concentrations and collect the climate and public-health data that can make a difference. These transformation off-the-shelf mobile phones into leading-edge data collection instruments will enable residents to provide our scientists with data that will greatly enhance the ability to study climate and health impacts, and therefore to positively impact lives in the areas where Project Surya is implemented. Source:[]

[Patrick Steinhagen] The GSM Association, the representative body of the UK`s mobile phone networks, has decided that it will allow the sale of customer activity data to advertising companies. The mobile phone networks plan to make data available, such as sites visited and the duration of the visit on the site as well as demographic data, such as age and gender. This will allow the more accurate targeting of certain demographics and will provide a valuable source of data to advertisers. Source: []

[Anas Ali Chaudry] Ground Labs in association with Living with Loins and Loins Guardians are using the mobile phone technology to keep a track of loins in Africa. The collars worn by the loins will send out SMS to track the whereabouts of the loins. This will help to cut down conflict between local Massai tribes and loins, and to keep the livestock safe. Furthermore this will help increase the use of the wireless technology in the area. This will help conservation of wildlife in the future if it is a success. Source: []

[Mughees Ahmed] A new UF cell phone application designed to let users identify pests with photos. Based and initiated in Gainesville, Florida at the University of Florida, this application allows homeowners and pest control technicians have a new option for identifying bugs lurking in houses and other buildings. And its as close as a cell phone. This will help the owners and users in multiple ways. One, they will now be using their cell phone's for a creative counter use and will be able to track, create and save all the data they capture. And again its as close as a cell phone.

Source: []

[Nahan Arif] A free Highway Code mobile application allows people to use the network to increase the standards of the traffic congestion and decrease the number of accidents due to better and more updated information. An alternative approach is to make the driving tests tougher so that fewer people pass and use the roads legally, were chances of road accidents will against decrease. But if this way will be used then many people will becomes unhappy with the government and may cause a riot. Once they will be allowed to use this new emerging mobile phone application to route themselves through the new updated changes on roads, the traffic congestion should become less of a problem. Source: []

[Maryam Al-Subaie] Project Noah ( [] ) is a mobile platform for users to document their encounters with nature. Users take pictures of plants, animals (or any organisms) and upload them onto their profile to receive help from experts with identifying the name/type of species in the picture. It is a great tool for wildlife documentation as it offers the opportunity to take part in ongoing science research projects through specifically designed field missions. The founders, who are members of NY's Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP), intend to build a large network of nature observers, earth monitors and researchers to explore and document the world’s organisms.

[Noor Al-Mohannadi] CarTel ( http://cartel.csail.mit.edu/doku.php) is a project by MIT researchers that uses mobile sensor devices to collect data on traffic congestion. This project was designed to address the challenges of traffic congestion, efficiency and safety of the infrastructure.The article states, " CarTel helps applications easily collect, process, deliver, analyze, and visualize data from sensors located on mobile units".

[Nijat Ibrahimov] Mobile devices have been touted as tools to improve access to health care in developing countries, through both the development of new technologies and the benefits of instant communication. Ideas proposed during the November 2010 mHealth Summit in Washington, D.C., included both the simple – providing daily texts with prenatal tips to expectant mothers – and the highly complex, such as a SIM card biosensor to detect malaria. A report released by the UN in partnership with Vodafone, “mHealth for Development: The Opportunity of Mobile Technology for Healthcare in the Developing World,” describes projects in countries such as India, Burkina Faso, Brazil, South Africa, Thailand and Rwanda that range from education and awareness to epidemic tracking to diagnostic and treatment support.

Source: http://www.ethicaltraveler.org/2011/01/can-cell-phones-solve-worlds-problems/

[Mohammed Hadi Takiddin]: >> Source. The article talks about different usage of mobile phones in solving world problems. It mentions different problems in the world and how did mobile phones do in order to solve such problems. One of the problems that attracted my attention is the usage of phone in spreading awareness of medical and social issues in Pakistan through Text massages. The Target study that UNESCO conducted in Pakistan shows that most of the females get more affected by text messages that is sent to them through their mobile phones

[Layal Al-Alami]: Source: http://www.escience.cam.ac.uk/mobiledata/

This is a project that was started by Cambridge that equipped bikers with Carbon Monoxide detectors, hooked with mobile phones to collect data about the air quality of the Cambridge area for use in research and mapping projects. This allows for visual representation of the area, and also knowledge about pollution in different parts of it.

[Orkhan Rustamzade] Mobile devices since their first introduction have been used as tools for espionage and tracking down people. Modern day mobile phones are like mini-sized pocket computers. In our modern day world mobile phones can be used in every single aspect of our life. However this possesses threat as the mobile phones have become sensors which can transmit all your information to particular person. School of Computer Science at Georgia Tech says that the attackers (the application for mobile phone) can also be used an innovative way. Not only people are able to track down but also gain access to microphone, camera and etc. features of the telephone. So take security measures.

Source: []

[Dalia Saleh Hassan]:

The article that I read about the effect of mobile phones on different individuals in different fields. There are fields that people might get affected by the mobile phones and it usage to solve problem issues. One of the fields that the author focuses on in this article is the fact that mobile phones has effects on the way that entrepreneurs should conduct their businesses. The article focuses on a sample population of people and the effect of sending text massages with different promotions and special offers from different prices and how do customers react to those text massages. http://www.ejisdc.org/ojs2/index.php/ejisdc/article/viewFile/529/265