Mobile devices promise to deliver the power of entire banks of computers within a pocket-sized package through the use of cloud computing, wearable technology and more. To back that promise up, device manufacturers and software developers have been working non-stop to make processers more powerful, Internet faster and batteries last longer so that consumers can take these devices to new heights in their everyday lives. Mobile devices are seeing increased use for business, medical and entertainment purposes, and just this week alone new innovations have made these tasks even more viable.
Google has made the speculation that the wearable device market is about to explode in popularity, and is now Google is putting the money where its mouth is by announcing that the upcoming release of a Software Development Kit (SDK) designed exclusively for wearable devices. The SDK will help wearable app developers create Android-compatible software, which will incidentally make app developers and future device manufacturers more comfortable with Android’s OS. This action is likely to establish firm roots for both Google and Android in the market of wearable devices, and even supports rumors of Google developing their own Smartwatch-style device.
The future of the “Internet of Things” where common devices have Internet access for improved function is quickly approaching the present, and in fact may have already arrived quietly in China. A report conducted by mobile app analytics provider Umeng found that over 700 million smart devices were in active use throughout China by the end of 2013. For the most part this consists of smartphones and tablets, but these devices will eventually be able to function like universal controllers in an Internet of Things. Wireless Internet means that smartphones can communicate with any internet-capable device, and China already has the devices necessary to make it a reality.
Faster mobile internet may also be on the horizon, thanks to a new startup company called Artemis. They are developing a new standard of wireless data transmission called pCell, which is seeking to supplant 4G as a stronger and more reliable decentralized service. Instead of sending radio waves through large cell towers like 4G wireless works, pCell seeks to place much smaller “towers” that are about the size of a modern computer router. Placing cell towers closely together causes interference that adversely affects 4G wireless performance, but pCell’s system takes advantage of the collisions between radio waves to amplify the reach and power of the wireless network at speeds up to 1,000 times faster than 4G.
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