IAC 2024 - IA Fast Track to Search Focused AI Solutions
Mobile system overview
1. An Overview of
Mobile Systems and Ecosystems
CSE 3203
Overview of Mobile Systems
Jack G. Zheng
Fall 2018
https://www.edocr.com/v/dao4xlgy/jgzheng/Mobile-System-Overview
http://jackzheng.net/teaching/cse3203
2. • Mobile is the internet
• Mobile is the new central ecosystem of tech
• Mobile means an ecosystem and that
ecosystem will swallow ‘PCs’
2
Benedict Evans
https://www.ben-evans.com/benedictevans/2015/12/15/16-mobile-theses
3. St. Peter's
Basilica at
the Vatican
http://photoblog.nbc
news.com/_news/2
013/03/14/1731231
6-witnessing-papal-
history-changes-
with-digital-age
3
4. Content Overview
• What is a mobile system?
• What is a mobile ecosystem? What does it
consists of?
– Operator/Carrier
– Connection
– Device
– OS/platform
– Application
– Services
– Application development
4
5. Mobile System
• A mobile system is an system of applications
and services that centered around mobile
devices for computing and information needs
– Mobile devices (hardware): movable, easy-to-
carry, and fully functional devices
• A mobile system is not just a hardware
concept but also includes software and
services
– Software: OS, applications
– Service: network, data/information, web,
business, etc.
5
6. Fast Growing of Mobile Systems
• The Internet and Web grows fast; this growth is driven by the mobile usage
• Key reports and forecast from Cisco
– https://www.cisco.com/c/dam/assets/sol/sp/vni/forecast_highlights_mobile/index.html
– The infographic https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/service-provider/visual-
networking-index-vni/vni-infographic.html
– http://blogs.cisco.com/sp/top-5-surprises-from-the-2017-mobile-vni-study
– Cisco Mobile Visual Networking Index (VNI) Forecast:
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/service-provider/visual-networking-index-
vni/index.html#~mobile-forecast
• Exponential growth of mobile usage for the past 5 years
– FCC mobile wireless competition report https://www.fcc.gov/reports-
research/reports/mobile-wireless-competition-reports
– https://www.gsmaintelligence.com: live numbers
– KPCB Internet Trends https://www.kleinerperkins.com/perspectives/internet-trends-report-
2018
• Mobile is the new central ecosystem of information transaction needs
– http://ben-evans.com/benedictevans/2015/12/15/16-mobile-theses
6
8. Mobile Ecosystem
• An ecosystem is a bigger system that consists of various players or
parts (smaller systems) which sustain and grow together.
• A mobile ecosystem is a collection of mobile devices, systems,
services, plus development tools, companies, and users, that sustain
and grow together.
• The mobile ecosystem generally includes the following layers; each
layer consists players, standards, tools, etc.
– adapted from the book Mobile Design and Development, Chapter 2
https://books.google.com/books?id=LyMeulBTkH0C
8
Applications and Services
App Dev Platforms/Frameworks
OS
Devices (Hardware)
Platforms
Connectivity (Operators)
Some more resources and perspectives:
• https://www.slideshare.net/iivanoo/lecture01
-11910341
• https://www.slideshare.net/pragatiogal/mobil
e-ecosystem-9716726
• https://learndatamodeling.com/blog/what-is-
mobile-ecosystem/
• http://ben-
evans.com/benedictevans/2015/11/7/mobile
-ecosystems-and-the-death-of-pcs
9. Connectivity
• The connectivity layer provides the basic
connection infrastructure for mobile systems
– Mobile operators/carriers
– Connections and networks (standards)
– Devices for connections
9
10. Operators/Carriers
• A mobile network operator or MNO, also known as a carrier, is a provider of
wireless communications services that owns or controls all the elements
necessary to deliver services to an end user
• Major responsibilities
– Create and maintain the mobile infrastructure: towers, satellites, cables, access points, etc.
– Provide connection services and Internet/data services
10
Top operators in the world by subscriptions
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mobile_network_operators
Note: by revenue, at&t and Verizon are the two biggest telecom
companies in the world.
Rank Company Country Total subscriptions (in millions)
1 China Mobile China 901.9 (May 2018)
2 Vodafone UK 535.8 (March 2018)
3 Airtel India 450.7 (March 2018)
4 China Unicom China 297.0 (April 2018)
5 América Móvil Mexico 279.1 (March 2018)
6 China Telecom China 276.1 (May 2018)
7 Telefónica Spain 271.9 (June 2018)
11. The Big 4 in US
• By subscriptions
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_wireless_com
munications_service_providers
– Verizon Wireless: 152.7 million (Q2 2018)
– AT&T Mobility: 147.3 million (Q2 2018)
– T-Mobile US: 75.6 million (Q2 2018)*
– Sprint Corporation: 53.7 million (Q2 2018)*
11
* T-Mobile and Spring proposed
a merger in Jun 2018
https://www.digitaltrends.com/m
obile/t-mobile-sprint-merger/
Market share:
https://www.fcc.gov/20th-
mobile-wireless-competition-
report-quick-facts
12. Connections and Networks
• Wide area
– Cellular networks: GSM, HSPA, LTE
– Provide direction connection and maintained by
mobile operators
– Broadband wireless access
• Local area
– Wireless LAN, WiFi
– Can be set up by private or public providers
• Near–me or personal area
– Direct connections: Bluetooth, NFC, IR
– Personal area network, near-me area network
12
13. Cellular Network Generations
1G 2G 3G 4G
Name
1st Generation
Mobile Network
2nd Generation
Mobile Network
3rd Generation
Mobile Network
4th Generation
Mobile Network
Introduced in year 1980s 1993 2001 2009
Technology
AMPS (Advanced
Mobile Phone
System), NMT,
TACS
IS-95, GSM IMT2000, WCDMA LTE, WiMAX
Multiple
Address/Access
system
FDMA TDMA, CDMA CDMA CDMA
Switching type Circuit switching
Circuit switching for
Voice and Packet
switching for Data
Packet switching
except for Air
Interface
Packet switching
Speed (data rates)
2.4 Kbps to 14.4
kbps
14.4 Kbps 3.1 Mbps 100 Mbps
Special
Characteristic
First wireless
communication
Digital version of 1G
technology
Digital broadband,
speed increments
Very high speeds, All
IP
Features Voice only
Multiple users on
single channel
Multimedia features,
Video Call
High Speed, real
time streaming
Supports Voice only Voice and Data Voice and Data Voice and Data
13
https://www.qualcomm.com/documents/evolution-mobile-technologies-1g-2g-3g-4g-lte
15. Platforms
• A platform is the defining feature of a mobile
system
– A platform defines and supports all major
features and activities of a mobile system
– Usually include devices, hardware components,
OS, application development and management
frameworks
• Major platforms
– Android (open source)
– Apple iOS (proprietary)
– Others: Windows (sort of …), etc.
15
16. Type of Devices
• A mobile device is a general term for any type of portable/movable devices with computing
power, connectivity and interactivity. Common features include:
– Portable (or movable)
– Computing power: general or specific purpose, with storage.
– Various connection methods (WiFi, cellular)
– Various interaction methods (touchscreen, remote control, connected I/O)
• The core type of mobile devices is the smart phone
– Estimated 2.5 billion smartphone users worldwide https://www.statista.com/statistics/330695/number-of-
smartphone-users-worldwide/
• Other device types
– Laptop, netbook, ultrabook
– Tablet https://www.zdnet.com/article/tablet-computers-an-overview/
– Handheld e-reader, PDA, gaming console, music player (iPod)
– Wearable: watch, glasses, headsets, pens, etc.
– Movable attached/integrated: cars, drones, bikes, robot, etc.
– Human augmenter (implants)
– Home: TV, home automation, TV box, projector, etc.?
– IoT devices?
– Anything else?
16
• Globally, 75% of mobile connections will be 'smart' connections
by 2021, up from 46% in 2016.
• In the United States, 99% of mobile connections (excluding
LPWA) will be 'smart' connections by 2021, up from 80% in 2016.
https://www.cisco.com/c/dam/assets/sol/sp/vni/forecast_highlights_m
obile/index.html
17. Smartphone
• Smartphones are phones with additional functionalities supported by high
computing power (way beyond a “phone”); they typically run an operating
system and more applications, have a larger screen size (resolution), and have
touchscreens.
– Superphone https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superphone
• Should it be called a smartphone? https://blog.untitledkingdom.com/we-need-a-
new-name-for-smartphone-c4258efd6e43
• General features
– High computing power: CPU, GPU
– Large storage/memory
– Touch screen
– Integrated peripherals
• Speaker, mic, camera, light, projector (Motorola Droid)
– Integrated connectivity
• WiFi, Bluetooth, USB, etc.
– Integrated sensors
• Motion, environment, position, location
– Long lasting battery
• Evolution of phones
– https://www.tigermobiles.com/evolution
17
Smartphones will be responsible for
48% of all fixed and mobile traffic by
2021
https://blogs.cisco.com/sp/top-5-
surprises-from-the-2017-mobile-vni-study
18. Device Manufacturers
• Apple
– A proprietary platform with its own device, OS, and app frameworks
• Android
– An open platform with a family of device manufacturers
18
More data source:
http://www.appbrain.com/stats/top-manufacturers
Worldwide Smartphone Market, Top 5 Company, Q2 2018 (shipments in millions)
Vendor
2Q18
Shipments
2Q18 Market
Share
2Q17
Shipments
2Q17 Market
Share
Year-Over-
Year Change
1. Samsung 71.5 20.9% 79.8 22.9% -10.4%
2. Huawei 54.2 15.8% 38.5 11.0% 40.9%
3. Apple 41.3 12.1% 41.0 11.8% 0.7%
4. Xiaomi 31.9 9.3% 21.4 6.2% 48.8%
5. OPPO 29.4 8.6% 28.0 8.0% 5.1%
Others 113.7 33.2% 139.5 40.1% -18.5%
Total 342.0 100.0% 348.2 100.0% -1.8%
Source: IDC Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, July 31, 2018
https://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prUS44188018
20. Mobile OS
• Operating System (OS) is a base infrastructure software component of
a computing system. It controls all basic operations of the device and
support higher level applications.
• A mobile operating system, or mobile OS, is an operating system that is
specifically designed to run on mobile devices.
– A mobile OS runs on limited resources (computing power and storage)
emphasizing communication.
– http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/M/mobile_operating_system.html
• Note:
– OS was once tightly coupled with the hardware devices; but they had
become a separate layer as devices became smart.
– While some computers such as typical laptops are 'mobile', the operating
systems usually used on them are not considered mobile ones, as they
were originally designed for desktop computers that historically did not have
or need specific mobile features.
– Some mobile devices can run desktop OS. This distinction is becoming
blurred in some newer operating systems that are hybrids made for both
uses.
– https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_operating_system
20
21. Mobile OS Market Share
• Multiple sources show
Android and iOS are
the dominant mobile
OS currently
– Android is consistently
above 80% world wide
– In US iOS is slightly
more than Android
http://gs.statcounter.co
m/os-market-
share/mobile/united-
states-of-
america#monthly-
201707-201807
21
For more data sources:
• https://www.netmarketshare.com/operating-system-market-share.aspx?id=platformsMobile
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usage_share_of_operating_systems#Mobile_devices
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_operating_system#Market_share
http://www.businessinsider.com/smartphone-market-
share-android-ios-windows-blackberry-2016-8
22. Applications and Services
• Applications, or mobile apps, are user facing
functional software used on mobile devices
• Services are delivered through apps
• Growing types of applications that are
integrated into the device
– Functional apps: financial, payment,
socialization
– Device integrated apps: GPS
– Gaming
– Communication
22
23. App Store
• An app store (or app marketplace) is a type
of digital distribution platform for computer
software, often in a mobile context.
– Much like the online store, but the products are the
apps
• Major ones
– Google Play
– Apple App Store
• Other notables
– Amazon Appstore
– https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mobile_software
_distribution_platforms
23
24. App Development Platform
• Platform
– A platform defines and supports all major app features and activities
– Usually includes hardware and operating systems
– Sometimes also includes application development and management
frameworks
– Major mobile platforms: Android, Apple (iOS), Windows (mainly
laptops)
• Development tools and frameworks. These include:
– Programming language
– SDK (run time, compilers, etc.)
– Code editor or IDE
– App frameworks
– Libraries and services
• App distribution/update methods
– App store: including official app store and third party app store
– Direct internet access or download
24
25. App Development Choices
• Platform native app
– These apps can only run on its target platform. The
development tools and frameworks for each
platform is different and no compatible.
– Major development platforms: Android, Apple iOS,
Windows
• Cross platform
– Cross platform apps can run on multiple platforms
using one set of development tools and frameworks.
– Further categorized as
• Cross platform native app
• Hybrid web app
• Web app (app like website) or mobile friendly website
25
26. Mobile App Development Options
26
https://developer.salesforce.com/page/Native,_HTML5,_or_Hybrid:
_Understanding_Your_Mobile_Application_Development_Options
A program designed to
run directly on a specific
mobile operating system.
A web based application that
runs in any web browser
especially that designed for
mobile devices.
Applications
developed using
Web development
technologies and
wrapped in a mobile
app container
* New to the
diagram: cross-
platform native
app (Xamarin)
* New to the
diagram: app
like web site
27. https://developer.salesforce.com/page/Native,_HTML5,_or_Hybrid:_Understanding_Your_Mobile_Application_Development_Options
http://www.telerik.com/blogs/everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-native-hybrid-and-web-apps-but-were-afraid-to-ask
http://www.sitepoint.com/native-hybrid-or-web-apps/
http://www.ymedialabs.com/hybrid-vs-native-mobile-apps-the-answer-is-clear/
Comparison of the Three Development Options
Native Apps Mobile Web Hybrid
Device
features
Can fully utilize platform/OS
features if allowed, such as
camera, location, sensors,
and interactions with file
systems and other apps.
Access to devices features
are limited to the browser
environment.
Can utilize platform/OS
features if provided by the
SDK, which are usually
provided as JavaScript
APIs.
UX/UI Best; smooth interaction as
UI is very responsive.
Not as good as native app;
may have delays.
Looks like an app, but may
have performance issues.
Development
Platform
Applications are platform
dependent. They have to be
written and/or compiled to a
specific OS*. Example:
- Andriod (Java) ( Android )
- iOS (Objective C, Swift)
- Windows (.Net, C#)
- * Xamarin (all)
Web applications are cross
platform and can use standard
languages such as
HTML/CSS/JavaScript.
Programs runs in browsers,
although they may have
slightly differences in different
browsers.
Hybrid applications are
developed using standard
web technologies, but
complied to each specific
platform.
Distribution /
Installation
App Store, or direct
downloaded; need
installation
Web; no installation App Store, or direct
downloaded; need
installation
28. Cross-Platform Native App
• This solution uses a common development environment for all platforms, but
wraps (compiles) them to a target platform.
– Wrapping all native OS libraries
– Similar to hybrid, but the apps are native apps, not relying on browser engines.
• Example development framework
– Xamarin: Using C# and .Net for development
https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/vs/features/mobile-app-development/
– React Native https://facebook.github.io/react-native/
– https://www.altexsoft.com/blog/engineering/xamarin-vs-react-native-vs-ionic-cross-
platform-mobile-frameworks-comparison/
• Is Xamarin hybrid?
– The short answer is no.
– https://www.quora.com/Is-Xamarin-hybrid-development
– http://www.cygnet-infotech.com/blog/phonegap-or-titanium-or-xamarin-which-cross-
platform-should-you-choose
• Others
– http://www.appcelerator.com
– http://monocross.net
28
29. Application Framework
• The main aim of frameworks is to increase
productivity by reducing efforts which eventually saves lot of
time for developers to resolve any other important issues in the
app or game. These frameworks provides inbuilt tools for
developers to work instantly on difficult and lengthy part of
coding.
• Vendor frameworks
– Android SDK
– Cocoa Touch
• Major third party frameworks
– Ionic
– jQuery mobile: http://jquerymobile.com
– Sencha Touch
– Titanium Appcelerator
– Framework7
– More: http://mobile-frameworks-comparison-chart.com/
29
30. Services and Service Providers
• Mobile backend as a service (MBaaS), also known
as "backend as a service" (BaaS) is a model for
providing web app and mobile app developers with a
way to link their applications to backend cloud
storage and APIs exposed by back end applications
while also providing features such as user
management, push notifications, and integration
with social networking services.
• Top providers
– Kinvey
– Sencha
– Parse
– Azure https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/app-
service-mobile/
30
31. Mobile User Experience
• User experience
– a person's perceptions and responses that result from the use or anticipated use of a product, system or
service
– encompasses all aspects of the end-user's interaction with the company, its services, and its products.
• Mobile user experience
– User experience toward mobile devices
– Use of mobile devices and wearables, and applications or services running on such devices.
• Key differences
– Portable
– Screen
• Screen size is generally smaller http://www.statista.com/chart/2269/smartphone-shipments-by-screen-size/
• Screen resolution is lower and density is higher http://developer.android.com/about/dashboards/index.html
• Fragmented market: properties vary a lot among devices
• Orientation: vertical screens accounts for 29% of usage
– Interaction method: touch is different form pointing device
• https://www.nngroup.com/articles/mouse-vs-fingers-input-device/
– Connection and speed
• Mobile device connection is less stable, inconsistent, and slower
• Variable connectivity
– Device capability
• Mobile devices have much more functionality integrated: cam, mic, sensors, GPS, etc.
• Computing limited
– https://www.nngroup.com/articles/mobile-ux/
31
34. KSU Courses
• The BSIT "Mobile and Web" elective track
– This program is rated #3 in The 10 Best Online
Mobile App Development Degrees
https://www.bestvalueschools.com/cheap/online/
mobile-computing-degrees-bachelors/
• CSE 3203 Mobile System Overview
• IT 4213 Mobile Web Development
34
