SMARTPHONES
CASE STUDY
IB Computer Science 2012/2013
About the case study
• Understand the technology & terminology
• Discuss practical applications in society
• Discuss social and ethical issues
• E.g. privacy, security, reliability
What can you do with a smartphone?
What are all the major components in a
smartphone?
CPU
• RISC ~ Reduces Instruction Set Computing
• Opposite of CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computing)
• CISC example: Intel x86
• ARM Reference Sheet
• RISC processors optimized to consume less power
• ARM ~ Advanced RISC Machine
• Largest RISC intellectual property holder
• Licensees of ARM technology
Memory
• RAM ~ Random Access Memory
• Cache memory
• Faster than RAM; in-between CPU and RAM
• ROM ~ Read-Only Memory
• Also known as firmware b/c it’s the software programmed into the
hardware
• Motherboards’ BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is firmware
• Flash memory
• Non-volatile, persistent storage (turn off power, data is still there)
• Usually 1 internal and 1 external
Mobile Operating Systems
• Android
• Developed by Google
• Open-source
• Java-based
• IOS
• Developed by Apple
• Closed-source
• Objective-C based
• Windows Mobile
• Developed by Microsoft
• Closed-source
• C++ based
• BlackBerry OS
• Developed by RIM (Research in Motion)
• Closed-source
• Java-based
• Will probably die soon.
Wired Communication
• USB ~ Universal Serial Bus
• Connect to computer
• Recharge
• Headphone/Microphone Jack
• Wired headphones and mic headset
• Credit card scanners
• Square
• Paypal Here
Wireless Communication
• United States Frequency Allocations
• Cellular phone network
• Cell phone towers
• 3G, 4G, what do they mean?
• Cell phone technology overview (optional; good to know for parties)
• Cellular frequencies in U.S.
• Wi-Fi
• Connect to a wireless local area network (WLAN)
• 2.4 GHz used
• Bluetooth
• Connect nearby devices to form a personal area network (PAN)
• 2.40 – 2.48 MHz frequency used
GPS (Global Positioning System)
• 24 GPS satellites orbiting the Earth
• Each satellite broadcasts:
1.
2.
3.
Satellite ID number
Satellite location
Time message was sent
• GPS receiver…
1. Receives above information from at
least 3 closest satellites
2. Calculates distances from satellites
using time message was sent and the
GPS receiver’s current time
3. Uses satellites’ locations and
distances to triangulate receiver
location
What are some smartphone applications
for the following areas?
• Personal
What are some smartphone applications
for the following areas?
• Medical
What are some smartphone applications
for the following areas?
• Health & Fitness
What are some smartphone applications
for the following areas?
• Education
What are some smartphone applications
for the following areas?
• Business
What are some smartphone applications
for the following areas?
• Military
What are some smartphone applications
for the following areas?
• National Security
What are some social and ethical
concerns with smartphones? Discuss.
• Security
• Privacy
• Reliability
• Equality of access
• Intellectual property
What are some positive impacts of
smartphones on society?
What are some negative impacts of
smartphones on society?