Operating System & Applications of Mobile Computing

 Operating System & Applications of Mobile Computing

 asic Concepts of mobile operating system?

A mobile operating system (OS) is software that allows smartphones, tablets and other devices to run applications and programs.

A mobile OS provides an interface between the device's hardware components and its software functions. It typically starts when a device powers on, presenting a screen with icons or tiles that show information and provide application access. Mobile operating systems also manage cellular and wireless network connectivity and phone access.

Millions of people use mobile operating systems worldwide, powering a wide range of devices, from smartphones to tablets and wearable technology. These systems offer users a wide selection of features, including calling and messaging, internet and cellular data connectivity, multitasking capabilities, interactive user interfaces and access to a wide range of third-party applications and services to enhance the user experience even further.

 

SPECIAL CONSTRAINTS AND REQUIREMENTS

 Design and capabilities of a Mobile OS (Operating System) is very different than a general-purpose OS running on desktop machines

 Physically Constrained

 ·        Battery-powered device

·        Small screens of varying shapes, sizes, and resolutions

·        Memory

·        Storage space

 .         Working in Uncertainty

 ·        Networks come and go

·        Other devices appear and disappear

·      OS need to provide robust methods for handling connections and coping with service interruptions and ad hoc attempts to communicate

 Today's mobile devices are multifunctional devices capable of hosting a broad range of applications for both business and consumer use. Smartphones and tablets enable people to use their mobile device to access the Internet for email, instant messaging, text messaging and Web browsing, as well as work documents, contact lists and more.

 Mobile devices are often seen as an extension to your own PC or laptop, and in some cases newer, more powerful mobile devices can even completely replace PCs. And when the devices are used together, work done remotely on a mobile device can be synchronized with PCs to reflect changes and new information while away from the computer.

Much like the Linux or Windows operating system controls your desktop or laptop computer, a mobile operating system is the software platform on top of which other programs can run on mobile devices.

A mobile operating system, also called a mobile OS, is an operating system that is specifically designed to run on mobile devices such as mobile phones, smartphones, PDAs, tablet computers and other handheld devices.

Needs of Operating System

The following points indicate the need for the operating system:

o        More than one program runs at a time in a computer, and all of them require your computer's CPU and memory. The operating system manages resources for all those programs. That is why the operating system is required.

o        Multitasking is a very critical feature of the OS. With its help, we can run many programs simultaneously.

o        The operating system provides a platform to run any application program in the computer. Due to which we can do our work with the help of that application.

o        It helps the user in file management. Through this, the user can save the data according to his needs.

o        You use your mouse to open the application and click on the menu. All this is possible due to the modern operating system. This operating system allows you to do this with the help of GUI (Graphical user interface).

o        The operating system creates a communication link between the user and the computer, allowing the user to run any application program and obtain the required output properly.

o        It is almost impossible for a user to use a computer system without an operating system. Many processes run simultaneously when a program is executed, which is not easy for a person to manage.

Popular platforms of the Mobile OS

A mobile operating system is an operating system that helps to run other application software on mobile devices. It is the same kind of software as the famous computer operating systems like Linux and Windows, but now they are light and simple to some extent.

The operating systems found on smartphones include Symbian OS, iPhone OS, RIM's BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, Palm WebOS, Android, and Maemo. Android, WebOS, and Maemo are all derived from Linux. The iPhone OS originated from BSD and NeXTSTEP, which are related to Unix.

It combines the beauty of computer and hand use devices. It typically contains a cellular built-in modem and SIM tray for telephony and internet connections. If you buy a mobile, the manufacturer company chooses the OS for that specific device.

1. Android OS: The Android operating system is the most popular operating system today. It is a mobile OS based on the Linux Kernel and open-source software. The android operating system was developed by Google. The first Android device was launched in 2008.

2. Bada (Samsung Electronics): Bada is a Samsung mobile operating system that was launched in 2010. The Samsung wave was the first mobile to use the bada operating system. The bada operating system offers many mobile features, such as 3-D graphics, application installation, and multipoint-touch.

3. BlackBerry OS: The BlackBerry operating system is a mobile operating system developed by Research In Motion (RIM). This operating system was designed specifically for BlackBerry handheld devices. This operating system is beneficial for the corporate users because it provides synchronization with Microsoft Exchange, Novell GroupWise email, Lotus Domino, and other business software when used with the BlackBerry Enterprise Server.

4. iPhone OS / iOS: The iOS was developed by the Apple inc for the use on its device. The iOS operating system is the most popular operating system today. It is a very secure operating system. The iOS operating system is not available for any other mobiles.

5. Symbian OS: Symbian operating system is a mobile operating system that provides a high-level of integration with communication. The Symbian operating system is based on the java language. It combines middleware of wireless communications and personal information management (PIM) functionality. The Symbian operating system was developed by Symbian Ltd in 1998 for the use of mobile phones. Nokia was the first company to release Symbian OS on its mobile phone at that time.

6. Windows Mobile OS: The window mobile OS is a mobile operating system that was developed by Microsoft. It was designed for the pocket PCs and smart mobiles.

7. Harmony OS: The harmony operating system is the latest mobile operating system that was developed by Huawei for the use of its devices. It is designed primarily for IoT devices.

8. Palm OS: The palm operating system is a mobile operating system that was developed by Palm Ltd for use on personal digital assistants (PADs). It was introduced in 1996. Palm OS is also known as the Garnet OS.

9. WebOS (Palm/HP): The WebOS is a mobile operating system that was developed by Palm. It based on the Linux Kernel. The HP uses this operating system in its mobile and touchpads.

Uses of Operating System

The operating system is used everywhere today, such as banks, schools, hospitals, companies, mobiles, etc. No device can operate without an operating system because it controls all the user's commands.

o        LINUX/UNIX operating system is used in the bank because it is a very secure operating system.

o        Symbian OS, Windows Mobile, iOS, and Android OS are used in mobile phone operating systems as these operating systems are a lightweight operating system.

Features of Operating System

The operating system has many notable features that are developing day by day. The growth of the operating system is commendable as it was developed in 1950 to handle storage tape. It acts as an interface. The features of operating system are given below.

o        Error detection and handling

o        Handling I/O operations

o        Virtual Memory Multitasking

o        Program Execution

o        Allows disk access and file systems

o        Memory management

o        Protected and supervisor mode

o        Security

o        Resource allocation

o        Easy to run

o        Information and Resource Protection

o        Manipulation of the file system

1. Easy to use

·                  The graphics should be attractive.

·                  The buttons and features should be easy to use. mOreover, the functionalities should not be very compilicated.

·                  Features should be powerful and useful.

2. Good app store

·                  An app is one of the basic part of an OS.

·                  Good and useful apps forms an important part of an OS.

·                  The apps should be simple and interactive.

3. Good battery life

·                  Power is one of the main requirement of a smartphone.

·                  They require power for processors sensors etc. Therefore, the battery holds a very important role.

·                  Smartphones power usage keeps on increasing therefore, a good battery backup is very essential.

4. Data usage and organization

·                  An operating system should focus on controlling the data and network usage. It should keep the limit and requirement in focus.

o        Secondly, the organization of data related to to-do lists, calendars, alarms, reminders etc is very important. A good OS should keep this data in a very organized and safe manner. Moreover, the data should be readily and easily available.

Characteristics of Operating System

Memory Management: The operating system manages memory. It has complete knowledge of primary memory; which part of the memory is used by which program. Whenever a program requests, it allocates memory.

Processor Management: It allocates the program to the processor (CPU) and also deallocates it when a program runs out of the CPU needs.

Device Management: The operating system keeps the information about all devices. It is also called the I/O controller, and the operating system also decides which devices are used to which program, when, and for how long.

Security: It prevents unauthorized access to any program. It uses passwords and other technologies.

Reliability: It is very reliable because no any virus and harmful code can be detected in it.

File Management: It allocates and deallocates resources and decides which program to allocate resources.

Easy to use: It can be easily used as it also has a GUI interface.

Components of a Mobile Operating System

The components of a mobile OS are same as a basic OS. The components are as follows:

1. Kernel

A kernel is the core/heart of an OS. It contains all the functions and operations to manage the working of OS.

2. Process Execution

The OS executes various process so that the statements will execute and connect the application program to the hardware. Whenever a process executes it uses memory, space and other resources as well.

3. Interrupt

Interrupts are basically used be the hardware devices to communicate with the CPU. It is basically a signal which the device generates to request the CPU. Moreover, whenever an interrupt occurs the CPU temporarily stops executing its current process.

4. Memory Management

It is the management of the main or primary memory. Furthermore, whatever program is executed, it has to be present in the main memory. Therefore, there can be more than one program present at a time. Hence, it is required to manage the memory.

The operating system:

·                  Allocates and deallocates the memory.

·                  Keeps a record of which part of primary memory is used by whom and how much.

·                  Distributes the memory while multiprocessing.

5. Multitasking

It is performing more than one tasks at a time. The OS allows the user to work wit more than one process at a time without any problem.

6. Security

The OS keeps the system and programs safe and secure through authentication. A user id and password decide the authenticity of the user.

7. User Interface

GUI stands for Graphical User Interface. As the name suggests, it provides a graphical interface for the user to interact with the computer. It uses icons, menus, etc. to interact with the user. Moreover, the user can easily interact by just clicking these items. Therefore, it is very user friendly and there is no need to remember any commands.

Functions of OS

An operating system performs various tasks. Let us study them. Several functions of OS are:

 

1. Memory Management

It is the management of the main or primary memory. Furthermore, whatever program is executed, it has to be present in the main memory. Therefore, there can be more than one program present at a time. Hence, it is required to manage the memory.

The operating system:

Allocates and deallocates the memory.

Keeps a record of which part of primary memory is used by whom and how much.

Distributes the memory while multiprocessing.

 

2. Processor Management/Scheduling

When more than one process runs on the system the OS decides how and when a process will use the CPU. Hence, the name is also CPU Scheduling. The OS:

Allocates and deallocates processor to the processes.

Keeps record of CPU status.

 

3. Device Management

The processes may require devices for their use. This management is done by the OS. The OS:

·                  Allocates and deallocates devices to different processes.

·                  keep records of the devices.

·                  Decides which process can use which device for how much time.

4. File Management

The files on a system are stored in different directories. The OS:

keeps records of the status and locations of files.

·                  Allocates and deallocates resources.

 

5. Security

The OS keeps the system and programs safe and secure through authentication. A user id and password decide the authenticity of the user.

6. Other Functions

Some other functions of the OS can be:

·                  Error detection.

·                  keeping a record of system performance.

·                  Communication between different software etc.

Types of Mobile Operating Systems

There are various mobile device operating systems available today, but the iPhone's OS, Apple iOS, and Google's open source OS, Google Android, are two of the most frequently used. These two mobile operating systems respond differently to mobile computing. Some other Operating System(OS) are given below:

1. Android Operating System: The Android operating system is currently the most widely used. It's an open-source mobile operating system based on the Linux kernel. Google launched the Android operating system. In 2008, the first Android device was released.

2. iPhone OS / iOS: Apple created the iOS operating system for use on its devices. The iOS operating system is currently the most widely used. It's an extremely safe operating system. Other mobile devices do not support the iOS operating system.

3. Bada (Samsung Electronics): Samsung's Bada mobile operating system was released in 2010. The Samsung Wave was the first smartphone to run on the bada operating system. Many mobile features are available with the bada operating system, including  application installation, 3-D graphics, and multipoint-touch.

4. BlackBerry OS: BlackBerry mobile operating system was created by Research In Motion (RIM). This operating system was created with BlackBerry handheld devices in mind. When used with the BlackBerry Enterprise Server, this operating system benefits corporate users by allowing synchronisation withNovell GroupWise email, Microsoft Exchange, Lotus Domino, and other business software.

5. Symbian OS: The Symbian operating system is a mobile operating system with a high level of network connectivity. The Java programming language powers the Symbian operating system. It integrates wireless communications middleware with personal information management (PIM) capabilities. Symbian Ltd created the Symbian operating system in 1998 for usage on mobile phones. At the time, Nokia was the first business to deliver Symbian OS on a mobile phone.

6. Windows Mobile OS: Microsoft created the Windows Mobile OS, which is a mobile operating system. It was created for smart phones and pocket PCs. Rather than normal icons, the Windows smartphone's screen is covered in various colourful squares. A lot of huge typography and a basic interface are also included in the design.

7. Palm OS: The Palm operating system was created by Palm Ltd for use on personal digital assistants (PADs). It first appeared in 1996. Garnet OS is another name for Palm OS. It was created to make using the touchscreen simpler. It is one of the most user-friendly mobile phone operating systems, however the platform's failure to multitask may force some users to reject it.

8. WebOS (Palm/HP): Palm created the WebOS operating system for mobile devices. It is built on top of the Linux kernel. This operating system is used by HP in its mobile phones and laptop touchpad. This is one of the multitasking-capable mobile phone operating systems. If you receive a message while playing a game, for example, you can open it without exiting the game.

9. Harmony OS: Huawei's harmony operating system is the company's most recent mobile operating system for usage on its smartphones. It is primarily intended for Internet Of Things(IoT) devices.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is a mobile OS?

A1. A mobile operating system allows the user to run other different application software on the mobile, tablets, etc. Furthermore, they are a mixture of computer OS with some additional features for mobiles. Also, they are comparatively light and simple.

 

Q2. List some common mobile operating system.

A2. Some common mobile OS are as follows:

·                  Android OS

·                  Apple iOS

·                  Bada

·                  Blackberry OS

·                  Windows Mobile OS

·                  Symbian OS

·                  Palm OS

·                  Web OS

·                  Harmony OS etc.

Q3. List the functions of OS.

A3. Functions of OS are as follows:

·                  Memory Management

·                  Process Management/CPU Scheduling

·                  Device Management

·                  File Management

·                  Security

·                  Error detection etc.

 

Q4. List the features of a mobile OS.

A4. A mobile OS has the following features:

·                  Easy to use

·                  Good app store

·                  Good battery life

·                  Data usage and organization

 

Q5. What is a kernel?

A5. A kernel is the core/heart of an OS. It contains all the functions and operations to manage the working of OS.

 

m-commerce (mobile commerce)

What is m-commerce?

M-commerce (mobile commerce) is the buying and selling of goods and services through wireless handheld devices such as smartphones and tablets. M-commerce is a form of e-commerce that enables users to access online shopping platforms without the use of a desktop computer.

Over time, content delivery through wireless devices has become faster, more secure and scalable. As a result, mobile commerce has grown rapidly.

M-commerce encompasses three major approaches to mobility and business.

Examples of m-commerce include in-app purchasing; mobile banking virtual marketplace apps, such as the Amazon mobile app; and digital wallets, such as Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Wallet.

Examples of m-commerce use in specific industries include the following:

·                  Financial services. Mobile banking and brokerage transactions are done from mobile devices.

·                  Telecommunications. Handheld devices are used to make service changes and bill payments, and to do account reviews.

·                  Service and retail. Consumers place and pay for orders on-the-fly through online stores.

·                  Information services. Financial, sports, traffic, weather and many other news updates are accessed through mobile devices.

Types of m-commerce

M-commerce is categorized based on the following three basic functions:

Meta rebranded Facebook Pay as Meta Pay, which lets users pay for digital items in the metaverse.

·                  Mobile shopping enables customers to buy a product using a mobile device with an application such as Amazon or a web app. A subcategory of mobile shopping is app commerce, which is a transaction that takes place over a native app.

·                  Mobile banking is online banking designed for handheld technology. It enables customers to access accounts and brokerage services, conduct financial transactions, pay bills and make stock trades. This is typically done through a secure, dedicated app provided by the banking institution. Mobile banking services may use SMS or chatbots and other conversational app platforms to send out alerts and track account activities. For example, the WhatsApp chatbot lets customers view their account balance, transfer funds, review loans and conduct other transactions in real time through WhatsApp.

·                  Mobile payments are an alternative to traditional payment methods, such as cash, check, credit and debit cards. They enable users to buy products in person using a mobile device. Digital wallets, such as Apple Pay, let customers buy products without swiping a card or paying with cash. Mobile payment apps, such as PayPal, Venmo and Xoom serve the same purpose and are popular options. Mobile consumers also use QR codes to pay for things on their mobile phones. With mobile payments, users send money directly to the recipient's cell phone number or bank account.

How mobile commerce works

With most m-commerce enabled platforms, the mobile device is connected to a wireless network that is used to conduct online product purchases and other transactions.

For those in charge of developing an m-commerce application, important key performance indicators to monitor include the following:

·                  total mobile traffic;

·                  total application traffic;

·                  average order value; and

·                  the value of orders over time.

Similarly, tracking the mobile add-to-cart rate will help developers see if users are becoming customers. M-commerce developers may also be interested in logging average page loading times, mobile cart conversion rates and SMS subscriptions.

Mobile payment products operate through a form of peer-to-peer sharing. Once a mobile device is paired with a user's bank card information, the phone can be waved over a payment terminal to pay for a product. Contactless payment using a mobile device uses near-field communication technology.

M-commerce vs. e-commerce

Electronic commerce, or e-commerce refers to buying and selling goods and services over the internet. E-commerce and m-commerce are similar, but they come with a few distinctions from each other, such as the following:

Mobility. E-commerce transactions can be conducted through a desktop computer where the user is in a fixed spot. This reduces mobility as it can be difficult to move around a desktop device. M-commerce offers greater mobility as it's conducted through handheld devices that can be used anywhere there's an internet connection, including buses, trains and airplanes or when exercising at the gym.

Location tracking. Many e-commerce apps make use of location tracking capabilities to pitch users opportunities based on their location. However, the location tracking capability of e-commerce is limited when it is used with a nonmobile device. For example, the location of an e-commerce shopper is tracked with their IP address. While the IP address provides a broad region of the user's location, it is not capable of identifying the exact location, which might affect the targeted advertising strategies of a business. M-commerce apps, on the other hand, can track locations using Wi-Fi and GPS-based technologies that enable location-specific content and personalized recommendations. For instance, a provider can send push notifications offering personalized discounts that target certain customers as they walk past a specific store in a mall.

Security. Credit cards are still commonly used for nonmobile e-commerce payments. They are considered riskier than other online payment methods, even with security measures, such as multifactor authentication. Most data breaches and identity thefts happen because of credit card misuse. M-commerce closes some security gaps through the addition of measures such as biometric authentication, mobile wallets, quick response or QR codes and even cryptocurrencies.

Reachability and convenience. M-commerce makes it easier to reach a target audience. With mobile apps, businesses can reach more people and make their buying experience easier and faster.

Advantages and disadvantages of mobile commerce

The advantages of m-commerce include the following:

·                  Large customer base. M-commerce provides for a larger customer base and better retention than e-commerce in general, because m-commerce capabilities are more widely and easily accessible. Also, mobile analytics offers insights into customer shopping behavior, pattern and history. To boost retention rates, businesses can use this data to target shoppers with personalized offers and tailor-made discounts.

·                  Convenience. M-commerce makes it easier for customers to compare prices, read reviews and make purchases when and where they want to do these things.

·                  Product variety. Customers can browse through a huge inventory of products while also taking advantage of the competitive pricing.

·                  Automation. M-commerce automates a business's point of customer contact and sales with a variety of mobile contactless payment options, such as Apple Pay, PayPal One Touch and Visa Checkout. Many e-commerce sites also offer one-click checkout process functionality, which enables users to add payment information only once and then use the one-click option for every purchase made thereafter.

·                  Omnichannel experience. M-commerce creates an omnichannel experience where products can be sold via multiple channels -- e-commerce websites, Amazon, eBay, Instagram. This approach makes it easier for customers to buy whenever and wherever they want.

Disadvantages of m-commerce include the following:

·                  Poor execution. The smaller screens of mobile phones and tablets require specific navigation functionality. Consequently, intuitive mobile user interfaces are complicated and expensive to design. A poorly executed mobile customer experience can frustrate customers and deter them from making purchases.

·                  Payment issues. Mobile payment options are not available in every geographic location and may not support every type of digital wallet.

·                  Tax compliance. Businesses must know and comply with tax laws and regulations of all countries they ship to. Some businesses will avoid this by only authorizing purchases from and shipping to their country of origin.

·                  Security vulnerabilities. Many users are still hesitant to make purchases over a mobile device because of security risks. Even with two-factor authentication, mobile fraud is on the rise and many merchants have still not adopted fraud prevention practices for the smaller screen. Attacks, such as SIM swaps and mobile malware, are becoming more common and can discourage users from making payments through their mobile devices.

Future of mobile commerce

Mobile commerce is evolving and starting to reach a wider audience. According to Insider Intelligence, 6.9% of retail transactions will take place through a mobile device in 2022 and m-commerce will account for 10.4% of all retail sales by 2025. Many businesses are adopting mobile commerce to avoid falling behind the competitors.

The following are some of the current and future mobile commerce trends:

Mobile retargeting. This concept is an extension of location-based mobile marketing. Instead of putting ads at random places, this trend targets them contextually only at potential customers. For example, marketers can send an ad to users who have previously visited their mobile app or they might present an active mobile targeted ad to a user who comes into proximity of their store. Mobile retargeting offers a better return on investment compared with other advertisement strategies and is likely to become more popular in the future.

Augmented reality (AR). The number of mobile applications with embedded AR is growing rapidly. To improve its brand presence and provide digital content optimization, retail giant Ikea introduced an AR mobile application in 2017 that lets shoppers test products in real time through Apple iOS 11's ARKit technology. Customers use AR models of IKEA furniture from the mobile app to see how those pieces fit in their home and office spaces. Many brands, including Coca-Cola, Zara, Covergirl and Pez, also use embedded AR in their mobile apps.

Mobile SEO. With the growing number of smartphone users accessing the internet, mobile responsive websites have become a necessity. Websites that are not mobile-friendly or do not provide a good user experience risk user abandonment, which in turn increases the bounce rate of their websites. Websites with higher bounce rates rank lower in SEO and Google searches. Therefore, building mobile websites that are adaptive to handheld devices is an important goal for all businesses.

Mobile banking. The biggest advantage of mobile banking is the ability to send money anywhere, anytime. Users can send money to others and conduct transactions with their bank irrespective of their location. This trend is likely to keep growing. According to Business Insider, as of 2021, there are an estimated 169.3 million mobile banking users in the United States, of whom nearly 80% said that mobile banking was their preferred way to access their accounts.

AI, chatbots and shopping assistants. Powered by AI, chatbots are becoming essential e-commerce tools. They help shoppers around the clock with product recommendations, purchase completion, customer support and other tasks. According to a Grand View Research report, the global AI chatbot market is expected to reach $3.99 billion by 2030. Shoppers are becoming more comfortable with chatbots as they have become accustomed to chatting with their friends and family over chat apps, such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and Telegram.

Mobile ticketing. Gone are the days when users had to wait in long lines to buy movie or concert tickets. With mobile ticketing, users can buy and receive tickets through their smartphones. Mobile ticketing also eliminates the need to print the tickets as users receive them on their phones in a text format with a barcode that gets scanned at events.

With mobile commerce on the rise, mobile apps are a necessity for businesses looking to build a loyal customer base. Read on to explore the various benefits of investing in a mobile business app.

List of Important M-Commerce Applications

1. Banking

iMobile is an application that was developed by ICICI Bank that allows users to complete all internet banking transactions through their mobile phone. Users can transfer money from bank accounts that are ICICI and those that are not and can also request a stop to checks, pay bills, and more. This is a very useful app that allows users to use completely all their mobile banking needs in one easy to access space.

2. M-commerce for Retail

Companies are using mobile commerce for more and more retail applications as well. If you own a business and are looking to break into M-commerce, you can always create an online catalog of items that you have for sale so that customers can access it and then purchase the items. This is a great way for businesses to use M-commerce to get the most in terms of retail and mobile phones.

3. Mobile Marketing

This is another fantastic application for mobile commerce. You can send messages on phones for new products or services, you can send out promotional rewards, and you can send out correspondence to help get customers on board. M-commerce is a great way to market and to reach more people. Most people always have their smartphones on them, which means that you are going to be able to get to these potential customers and to bring them to your business.

4. Mobile Ticketing

Another great application is to purchase tickets with the help of mobile devices. Airlines have mobile ticket kiosks, movie theaters, concerts and more all offer mobile purchase of tickets. You can also then show your electronic ticket to the event or the place where the ticket is to be redeemed, working to eliminate paper tickets altogether.

5. Reservations

Reservations are a fantastic use of M-commerce. This could mean hotel rooms, parking spots, restaurant reservations and more. Customers can now reserve their spot with their mobile phone which is easier for everyone involved. This means that both the customer and the company involved can help to reduce the amount of work and effort that is needed to book various reservations.

6. Entertainment

You can also use M-commerce in terms of mobile entertainment as well. From applications that show movies and television shows, to those that show videos like YouTube, even music applications, you can use your phone for all sorts of mobile entertainment. Mobile entertainment is one of the best uses for M-commerce and for your mobile phone in terms of using it for something other than making calls.

7. Healthcare

Mobile phones can also be used in terms of Healthcare and medicine. A mobile phone can be used for accessing health records, for paying medical bills, for accessing the medical records of patients and more. In a healthcare setting a mobile phone can be used by a doctor or a practitioner to access the health record of a patient, to send in a prescription, or to make clinical decisions. It helps doctors and other healthcare professionals to remain connected to the main database of the hospital or the medical facility and helps doctors and healthcare professionals provide patients with a better experience overall.

8. Office Communication

M-commerce applications can also help to promote communication within offices and other areas where you may be working with a team. With those professionals that are in the field such as a real estate agent or an insurance agent, it is often necessary to get back in touch with the office or to access information that might be back at the office. M-commerce is going to allow these professionals to track inventory, to talk to personnel that is in the field and back and the office, and to make sure that salesmen that are in the field, for example, get approval to make sales without having to wait as long. M-commerce applications are very versatile. You can use M-commerce for nearly anything that you can imagine. You can create apps that are focused on providing information, apps that deliver entertainment, and apps that help make everyday life easier. In terms of M-commerce applications, there are endless possibilities that can be tailored to the needs and desires of each person or company that decides to go mobile and take that step. Nearly everyone keeps their phone on them, M-commerce just makes sense.

What exactly is M-commerce?

 Mobile commerce means doing commercial transactions online like online banking, paying bills, purchasing something with the help of wireless devices like mobile phones or tablets. It is a very similar term to E-commerce. The only difference is that users do not require a laptop or PC for this purpose. They can use portable devices like smartphones and tablets. This way, users can access online shopping sites as well as other online services anywhere and anytime.

 

By using M-commerce, a customer can get a huge variety of products delivered to their doorstep. They even get several discounts and offers. Also, a wide range of payment modes like UPI, Debit Card, Credit Card, Cash On Delivery makes it easier and more convenient for the users.

 

Now, talking about its type, it includes three types. First is Mobile Shopping which means online shopping can be easily done through smartphones by using online shopping websites and apps. Next is Mobile Banking, which means the transfer of money has become very easy. By using banking apps like Google Pay, Paytm etc, users can send or receive money anytime without the trouble of visiting the bank or an ATM. The last type is Mobile Payments, which means several bills like electricity bills, phone bills, TV cable bills etc, can be easily paid through smartphones.

What are the top applications of M-commerce?

 Let's have a glance at the top ten applications of M-commerce. You will definitely get amazed after seeing how mobile commerce functions and the importance of mobile phones.

 

·                  M-commerce and mobile marketing- Business organizations can advertise their products and offers by sending SMS to consumers. Also, they can give reward points to customers to increase their sales.

·                  For finance- People who use mobile phones can make transactions easily from anywhere. Even if they have to make a payment of something, they can easily do so and will also receive a receipt regarding the payment.

·                  For retail and after-sale services- Customers can view a product online to know its price and details. Also, they can buy products or can even ask for service online.

·                  Hotel reservations- Hotel rooms can be booked online through smartphones, making it more convenient for the user.

·                  Healthcare and Medicine- Apart from ordering medical supplies online, patients can send their health status to their doctors and get help, making it easier for old age people.

·                  For intraoffice communication- Salespeople often need to check the latest prices and offers on the company's products while they may not be in office. They can access all the information easily through their smartphones.

·                  For gaming- Online games are becoming very popular these days. The multiplayer games can be easily accessed by smartphones.

·                  For information- People can check the news, cricket scores etc. Also, students can check their university exam results easily.

·                  Mobile entertainment- Users can access thousands of tv shows, web series, and movies, all through their portable mobile devices.

·                  Mobile Ticketing- Tickets of flights or trains can be booked online, without the hassle of going and standing in a queue only through your mobile phones.

 

What are the Latest Updates related to M-commerce?

 There is no doubt that in the coming years’ mobile commerce will drive to the peak. People prefer to buy things online, even though there are people who are addicted to online shopping. In the year 2019, 57% of US customers used a mobile retail application to understand extra about a commodity. According to the report, over the last few months, 79% of mobile users with their mobile phones do an online purchase.

 

Moreover, there are expectations that by 2021, mobile Commerce sales will account for 54% of total eCommerce sales. The AR(Augmented reality) and the VR (Virtual Reality) industry is predicted to reach $35 billion by 2025. Hence, these are some of the updates related to mobile commerce and we can clearly see that in the future it will reach a more advanced level.