Wireless mobile telephony was mainly invented and implemented only for voice communication to be used anywhere, anytime, and on the go. With time wireless telephony has been heavily researched and developed. Each year, each month, and even each day new innovations and trends are being added in mobile communication technology. That has produced till dates’, the most sophisticated wireless mobile telephony that we are using in the form of a smartphone.
History
Some decades ago, mobile phones were costly, large in shape and heavy in weight used for voice calling only with limited access within metro cities. Gen X people know these big-1G-analog-mobile phones very well. These big phones remained the status symbol of rich people only. In 1990’s 2G-digital-mobile service was introduced that consisted voice as well as data capabilities, this was the major innovative generation of mobile phones. With this, doors opened for mobile telephony for all with ease and compact mobiles. These mobile phones were a bit costly and not heavy performers like PCs because of their weak hardware.
Satellite Mobile Phone
In addition to the cellular network phone, mobile phones can also be connected directly from Earth-orbiting satellites. These satellite phones can be used in remote areas where wired network is unavailable or where setting up of a cellular network is difficult. The Inmarsat system is the world’s oldest satellite phone network. Some other operators like Iridium, Globalstar, and Thuraya also provide satellite phone services. Use of a satellite phone is very low due to the need of a special expensive device that supports satellite frequency and high usage cost. In some countries, the use of satellite phones is illegal. Most of the satellite phones are used in defense and disaster response.
Wireless Broadband
With the rise of 21st century, 3G service was first introduced by NTT DoCoMo in Japan. This technology becomes a game changer in the field of mobile broadband. Use of high-end-cutting-edge technology for manufacturing made mobile cheaper in addition to good hardware that can perform an internet browsing and downloading very well. 3G mobile phones reached the popularity with the Internet Access and Video Calling. Use of mobile phones instead of PCs made compulsory for OEM’s to build similar strong hardware and OS as PCs. New hardware and OS were introduced and replaced with new one.
Operating Systems for Mobiles
For a decade, Symbian of Nokia was very popular as a mobile OS. It faced stiff competition afterward with the introduction of Android and iOS. After Symbian OS; Android, iOS (Apple), and Windows operating system became popular that converted a mobile phone into a smartphone. Symbian, Android, iOS, and Windows are the milestones in mobile technologies that provide nearly similar computing capabilities of PC’s to mobile with the similar hardware configuration. All these OS supports different applications for a different purpose depending upon the user requirements.
Need for Mobile Applications
Digitization in banking, governing, and in near about all the fields increases use of smartphones instead of PCs and laptops because of their low cost and compactness. Now people are not only using mobile phones for communication, but also for gaming, online transactions, social media, job hunting, online shopping, downloading-watching videos, and more. All these needs cannot be full-filled by Mobile OS and Mobile Browser only, which demands most sophisticated separate application for different use. Mobile Applications are becoming more popular as they are time saving and simple in operation. This has given birth to the Mobile Applications Industry.
Effect of New Technologies
Newly developed 4G technology broadens the use of wireless mobile technology. IoT (Internet of Things) mainly use the wireless network for their operation. Using the IoT machines can be connected to each other and can be remotely controlled and operated with the help of wireless internet and software. IoT needs high internet speed and strong software to control machines like drones, autonomous vehicles, etc. 4G technology provides 50-1000 Mbps speed which is highly suitable for IoT devices. IoT also needs a special application depending on need, which may run on iOS or Android or any operating system.
Base for Mobile Applications
Mobile applications are mainly based on the OS and hardware on which mobile phone or device works. Today there are mainly three popular OS; Android, iOS, and Windows. Based on this, developer develops the applications for specific use. These applications are available in App Store of that OS. Like Android places their apps in Play Store, iOS of Apple in App Store, and Windows in Microsoft Store. All these apps are third party apps developed and maintained by other developers and solution providers. Some of the apps are free and some are priced small amount with some validity. Another fact is, free apps are also available in chargeable premium version, maybe with ad-free versions having high-end features.
Scope for Business
Mobile apps business is growing faster after the 3G technology. 3G and 4G technology provide faster internet access that brings users to the mobile internet platform. Mobile is now used as a replacement for bulky PCs. All-day-today activities are carried on mobile that demands different applications for different use with periodic update depending on changing trends, security, and needs. All biggies are making large investments in the app solution business due to huge demand for different apps. Dependency on apps is growing due to use of the new technologies like IoT, M2M, Virtual Reality (VR), and more. Again gaming apps are also gaining more popularity as hardware of mobiles are becoming more advance that can support high-end gaming.
Numbers of apps are entering into the mobile market, creating lots of space for mobile app developers and solution providers. New mobile technology innovated, implemented and grew continuously, that again creates the new requirement of different apps, keeping app industry growing.
