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Written By: Gail Alleyne Bayne

EDIT 5000

The Buzz: A Mobile Learning

Glossary

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What is the Buzz?

The Buzz is a modern day glossary which contains explanations for

common buzzwords we encounter in reference to mobile technologies andmobile learning in our everyday lives. Mobile learning is continuouslearning that takes place anywhere and anytime (i.e. ubiquitous learning)

via the use of portable devices such as smart phones, laptops, iPads, toname a few.

Glossary

Objective-C vs. Java

Objective-C is an object-oriented (OO) programminglanguage and the main programming language used by

Apple for the OS X and iOS operating system and theiriPhone/iPad/iPod apps. It is a superset of the Cprogramming language and Smalltalk.

Java is also an object-oriented programminglanguage and was first released by SunMicrosystems. Among other things, it is used forthe development of Android apps. Both Objective-C and Java utilizes the same concepts as OOlanguages (for example inheritance, polymorphism,and encapsulation). However, a major difference

between the two languages is that Objective-C isonly used to develop Apples platforms, whereasJava software can run on pretty much anything. Therefore, Java is aplatform independent (i.e. write once, run anywhere) programminglanguage.

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LTE (or 4G) vs. 3G

Both 4G and 3G are standards for mobile communication. The G standsfor generation of mobile technology. The International

Telecommunications Union (ITU) defined the third generation (3G) ofmobile telephony standards IMT-2000 to facilitate growth, increasebandwidth, and support more diverse applications. All 3G standards mustprovide a peak data transfer rate of at least 2 Mbps. Most 3G standards,however, provide much faster transfer rates of up to 14.4 Mbps. The fourthgeneration (4G) of wireless network technology features greater bandwidthand faster speeds than previous wireless networks. 4G technologies aredesigned to provide IP-based voice, data and multimedia streaming atspeeds of at least 100 Mbps and up to as fast as 1 Gbps. The info-graphic inFigure 1 below compares 4G LTE speeds to 3G speeds.

Figure 1: Comparison of 4G LTE to 3G Speed (Source: RootMetrics.com)

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Native Apps vs. Web Apps

A native app is an app for a certain mobile device (e.g. smart phone ortablet). They are installed directly onto the device and acquired from an

online store such as the App Store (i.e. for Apple mobile devices). A webapp is an Internet-enabled app that has specific functionality for mobiledevices. They are accessed through the mobile devices web browser.Figure 2 below shows a side by side comparison between native apps and

web apps. With native app development, the number of apps you need tobuild directly relates to the number of platforms you need to support.Today, these platforms include iOS, Android, Windows 8/Phone, andBlackBerry. A mobile web app can be opened on any platform, device,phone, or tablet with a web browser. On the other hand, native apps havefull access to the underlying mobile platform and are therefore usually very

fast, making them great for high performance apps or games.

Figure 2: Native App vs. Web App (Source: Global Intelligence Alliance)

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Mobile Websites vs. Desktop (Full) Websites

Mobile Websites are designed for mobile platforms and are optimized formobile devices. Although Desktop Websites can be displayed on mobile

devices, they are not optimized to run on mobile devices. There are threebasic differences between Mobile Websites and Desktop Websites; theseare: technology, aesthetics, and purpose. Devices have differenttechnological capabilities. For example, on a desktop site you can includemultiple videos, large images, and Flash animation, but that will not workon a mobile site due to bandwidth and browser limitations. Therefore,mobile sites cannot do some of the things that desktop sites can and vice

versa. In addition, mobile websites are adapted to a different design andlayout because of smaller screen size on mobile devices. Screen resolutionon a desktop website is typically 1024 x 768, and on a mobile site it is 320 x

480. Mobile sites also cannot handle an overload of text like desktop sites.Having less text that is larger lets the user read easily and makes it muchmore likely that they will read it. Good mobile websites maintain a singlefocus. Because mobile devices have a limited viewing area, it is importantfor each mobile page to have a single focus. A visual comparison between

Yahoos mobile and desktop website is displayed in Figures 3 and 4 below.

Figure 3: Features on Yahoo Mobile WebsiteFigure 4: Features on Yahoo Desktop Website

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Accelerometer vs. Gyroscope in a Mobile Device

The accelerometer is a built-in electronic sensor in

a mobile device that measures tilt and motion. It isalso capable of detecting rotation and motiongestures such as swinging or shaking. The mostcommon use for it is to activate auto screenrotation on mobile devices when the user changestheir orientation from portrait to landscape or

vice-versa. An accelerometer measures only thelinear acceleration of the device, whereas agyroscope measures the orientation of the device.

The gyroscope adds an additional dimension to the information supplied bythe accelerometer by tracking rotation or twist. Figure 5 illustrates theconcept of a Gyroscope. Both sensors measure rate of change. However,they measure the rate of change for different things.

Figure 5: Gyroscope

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QR code vs. Barcode

A QR (Quick Response) code (pictured below in Figure 6) is a twodimensional barcode that contains data that can be read by a phone's

camera. Most smart phones come equipped with software that allows themto download a QR Code reader. Once a reader is downloaded, the phone'scamera acts like a scanner, allowing it to "read" the barcode. These codes,once scanned by your phone, can provide a URL, contact information, SMS,or similar links to information right on your phone. For instance, youmight hand out business cards at an event containing a QR code that leadspeople to your Website with more information about your business. A

barcode is a machine readable form of information on a scannable, visualsurface. The barcode (pictured below in Figure 7) is read by using a specialscanner that reads the information directly off of it. The information is

then transmitted into a database where it can be logged and tracked. QRcodes and barcodes are similar in nature. However, barcodes have a large

variety of uses especially in retail and manufacturing settings, and intransport and shipping. It is generally used where large numbers of itemsneed to be tracked efficiently (e.g. grocery inventory, shipping packages).QR codes are well suited for marketing purposes.

Figure 6: QR Code

Figure 7: Barcode

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iOS vs. Android

An operating system is the system that all other programs operate in. iOSis the operating system used by Apple for their mobile devices (such as

iPhone, iPad, and iPod). Android is theoperating system developed by Googleused for other mobile phones. It is anopen source platform which can be used

by any phone manufacturer in the world,unlike Apples iOS. Image 1 displays alittle Apple vs. Android humor as theyfight to gain market share.

Image 1: Apple vs. Android (Image by

eyelk.com)

Chart 1 below shows smart phone market share for Q1 2011 and Q1 2012 aspie charts. Based on the chart below, Android has a bigger share of themarket than iOS. This is most likely due to Androids open source platformand flexibility. However, this openness makes it more vulnerable tomalware attacks. To that end, the closed, proprietary iOS architecturemakes it a more secure operating system.

Chart 1: Chart by The Mac Observer, from Gartner Data

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NFC (Near field Communication)

Near field communication (NFC) uses electromagnetic radio fields to allowtwo compatible devices to exchange data and share information when

passed close to each other. Typically the devices must be within four to fivecentimeters of each other to work. The way the technology works is thesmart phone or other NFC compatible device sends out radio frequencysignals that interact with an NFC tag found in compatible card readers andsmart posters. The signal creates a current that flows through the NFC tagand allows the device and the tag to communicate with one another. Image2 below shows a consumer buying a ticket with a NFC-enabled mobilephone. Essentially, NFC technology makes life easier and more convenientfor consumers around the world by making it simpler to make transactions,exchange digital content, and connect electronic devices with a touch.

Image 2: NFC-enabled mobile phone

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AR (Augmented Reality)

Augmented reality (AR) is the integration of digital information with livevideo or the user's environment in real time. The goal of Augmented

Reality is to create a system in which the user cannot tell the differencebetween the real world and the virtual reality (i.e. augmentation) of it.

Take a look at this fun, YouTube, Augmented Reality Show Reelproduced by Total Immersion.

Link to Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=AiL_c2D

45QA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=AiL_c2D45QAhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=AiL_c2D45QAhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=AiL_c2D45QAhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=AiL_c2D45QAhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=AiL_c2D45QA

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Resources

http://www.rootmetrics.com/blog/trends-were-seeing/putting-data-speeds-in-context-a-3g-vs-4g-

lte-infographic/http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/4/4G_LTE.html

http://searchtelecom.techtarget.com/definition/3G

http://sixrevisions.com/mobile/native-app-vs-mobile-web-app-comparison/http://www.wired.com/insights/2012/11/native-apps-vs-mobile-web/

http://blogs.imediaconnection.com/blog/2011/12/16/desktop-vs-mobile-websites-%E2%80%93-

know-the-differences/

http://www.gsmarena.com/glossary.php3?term=accelerometerhttp://www.gsmarena.com/glossary.php3?term=sensors

http://www.ehow.com/info_12213292_gyroscope-accelerometers-used-smartphones.html

http://www.nationalbarcode.com/info/what-is-a-barcode.html

http://www.visualead.com/qurify2/en/what_are_qr_codes/http://smallbiztrends.com/2011/02/qr-codes-barcodes-rfid-difference.html

http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/apple_claims_7.9_of_mobile_phone_market_in_q1http://www.goharsh.com/cell-phone/iphone-vs-android-comparison/http://www.nearfieldcommunication.org/faq.html

http://www.nearfieldcommunication.org/about-nfc.html

http://www.nfc-forum.org/aboutnfc/

http://www.t-immersion.com/augmented-reality/what-augmented-realityhttp://www.webopedia.com/TERM/A/Augmented_Reality.html

http://www.rootmetrics.com/blog/trends-were-seeing/putting-data-speeds-in-context-a-3g-vs-4g-lte-infographic/http://www.rootmetrics.com/blog/trends-were-seeing/putting-data-speeds-in-context-a-3g-vs-4g-lte-infographic/http://www.rootmetrics.com/blog/trends-were-seeing/putting-data-speeds-in-context-a-3g-vs-4g-lte-infographic/http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/4/4G_LTE.htmlhttp://www.webopedia.com/TERM/4/4G_LTE.htmlhttp://searchtelecom.techtarget.com/definition/3Ghttp://searchtelecom.techtarget.com/definition/3Ghttp://sixrevisions.com/mobile/native-app-vs-mobile-web-app-comparison/http://sixrevisions.com/mobile/native-app-vs-mobile-web-app-comparison/http://www.wired.com/insights/2012/11/native-apps-vs-mobile-web/http://www.wired.com/insights/2012/11/native-apps-vs-mobile-web/http://blogs.imediaconnection.com/blog/2011/12/16/desktop-vs-mobile-websites-%E2%80%93-know-the-differences/http://blogs.imediaconnection.com/blog/2011/12/16/desktop-vs-mobile-websites-%E2%80%93-know-the-differences/http://blogs.imediaconnection.com/blog/2011/12/16/desktop-vs-mobile-websites-%E2%80%93-know-the-differences/http://www.gsmarena.com/glossary.php3?term=accelerometerhttp://www.gsmarena.com/glossary.php3?term=accelerometerhttp://www.gsmarena.com/glossary.php3?term=sensorshttp://www.gsmarena.com/glossary.php3?term=sensorshttp://www.ehow.com/info_12213292_gyroscope-accelerometers-used-smartphones.htmlhttp://www.ehow.com/info_12213292_gyroscope-accelerometers-used-smartphones.htmlhttp://www.nationalbarcode.com/info/what-is-a-barcode.htmlhttp://www.nationalbarcode.com/info/what-is-a-barcode.htmlhttp://www.visualead.com/qurify2/en/what_are_qr_codes/http://www.visualead.com/qurify2/en/what_are_qr_codes/http://smallbiztrends.com/2011/02/qr-codes-barcodes-rfid-difference.htmlhttp://smallbiztrends.com/2011/02/qr-codes-barcodes-rfid-difference.htmlhttp://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/apple_claims_7.9_of_mobile_phone_market_in_q1http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/apple_claims_7.9_of_mobile_phone_market_in_q1http://www.goharsh.com/cell-phone/iphone-vs-android-comparison/http://www.goharsh.com/cell-phone/iphone-vs-android-comparison/http://www.nearfieldcommunication.org/faq.htmlhttp://www.nearfieldcommunication.org/faq.htmlhttp://www.nearfieldcommunication.org/about-nfc.htmlhttp://www.nearfieldcommunication.org/about-nfc.htmlhttp://www.nfc-forum.org/aboutnfc/http://www.nfc-forum.org/aboutnfc/http://www.t-immersion.com/augmented-reality/what-augmented-realityhttp://www.t-immersion.com/augmented-reality/what-augmented-realityhttp://www.webopedia.com/TERM/A/Augmented_Reality.htmlhttp://www.webopedia.com/TERM/A/Augmented_Reality.htmlhttp://www.webopedia.com/TERM/A/Augmented_Reality.htmlhttp://www.t-immersion.com/augmented-reality/what-augmented-realityhttp://www.nfc-forum.org/aboutnfc/http://www.nearfieldcommunication.org/about-nfc.htmlhttp://www.nearfieldcommunication.org/faq.htmlhttp://www.goharsh.com/cell-phone/iphone-vs-android-comparison/http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/apple_claims_7.9_of_mobile_phone_market_in_q1http://smallbiztrends.com/2011/02/qr-codes-barcodes-rfid-difference.htmlhttp://www.visualead.com/qurify2/en/what_are_qr_codes/http://www.nationalbarcode.com/info/what-is-a-barcode.htmlhttp://www.ehow.com/info_12213292_gyroscope-accelerometers-used-smartphones.htmlhttp://www.gsmarena.com/glossary.php3?term=sensorshttp://www.gsmarena.com/glossary.php3?term=accelerometerhttp://blogs.imediaconnection.com/blog/2011/12/16/desktop-vs-mobile-websites-%E2%80%93-know-the-differences/http://blogs.imediaconnection.com/blog/2011/12/16/desktop-vs-mobile-websites-%E2%80%93-know-the-differences/http://www.wired.com/insights/2012/11/native-apps-vs-mobile-web/http://sixrevisions.com/mobile/native-app-vs-mobile-web-app-comparison/http://searchtelecom.techtarget.com/definition/3Ghttp://www.webopedia.com/TERM/4/4G_LTE.htmlhttp://www.rootmetrics.com/blog/trends-were-seeing/putting-data-speeds-in-context-a-3g-vs-4g-lte-infographic/http://www.rootmetrics.com/blog/trends-were-seeing/putting-data-speeds-in-context-a-3g-vs-4g-lte-infographic/