Women’s Learning Partnership Mobile Phone Technologies: To Infinity and Beyond? Usha Venkatachallam Nov 12, 2008

Women’s Learning Partnership Why Cell Phone Application? Nov 12, Cell phone use high and growing Afghanistan: Cell Phones 4.9 mil+ (15%) Internet 580,000+ (1.8%) Bahrain: Cell Phones 1 mil+ (144%) Internet 250,00 (34.8%) Egypt: Cell Phones 25 mil+ (33%) Internet 6 mil+ (8.3%) India: Cell Phones 305 mil+ (27%) Internet 42 mil+ (3.7%) Iran: Cell Phones 40 mil+ (40%) Internet 23 mil+ (34.9%) Morocco: Cell Phones 20 mil+ (66%) Internet 4.6 mil+ (15.1%) Nigeria: Cell Phones 49 mil+ (35%) Internet 10 mil+ (7.2%) Increasing cell phone capabilities Camera; Text Messaging Location-Awareness; GPS MP3 Players… Cell phone as micro-computer? 1984 – Apple Mac Computing device $2495, 16.5 lbs 8 mhz CPU, 128 k RAM 2008 – iPhone Multi-function device $250, 4.7 ounce 8-16 GB

Women’s Learning Partnership Creating a Cell Phone Application Nov 12, Application DevelopersService Providers Device Calling Plan Bundle What is included in basic bundle? SMS, MMS, data services… What else is required? Data uploading & downloading Cost: If additional services are required, what is the cost? Application & Usage Any downloads or installs? Is the application providing value? Is it intuitive to use? End Users Standards CDMA: Code Division Multiple Access. Wider support in the US. GSM: Global System for Mobile communications. More global. SIM cards. Networks 1G (analog), 2G, or 3G Data speed is better with 3G But not available everywhere Security & Regulations SIM card registrations Photo ID for security reasons Service licenses Does the provider need a special license to provide the service? Roadblocks Nascent field No uniform process or procedure for even simple tasks Revenue sharing Providers trying to increase revenue Tech Specs To Smart Phone or Not? 13% of the total mobile market Device: Nokia (38.9%), Apple (17.3%) OS: Symbian (46.6%), Apple (17.3%) SMS ordownloadable application or embedded? Development Platforms Platforms Galore Nokia has four developer platforms Languages Ruby, Python, Java… WML for WAP, XHTML-MP Challenges Each device + platform + OS combo is a unique app dev environment Localization

Women’s Learning Partnership Resources Nov 12, For ideas, projects, and regulatory information from around the world MobileActive Textually LIRNEAsia Nokia anthropologist Jan Chipchase’s Future Perfect blog Of particular interest are the presentations and publicationsFuture Perfect blogpresentations and publications For technical and application development information How Stuff Works: Cell Phones Nokia Developer Forums Android Knowledge Base Windows Embedded Developer Center Photos from Flickr Creative Commons by wlp_partnership, Tierecke, Esthr, John & Mel Kots, & 2 dogswlp_partnershipTiereckeEsthrJohn & Mel Kots2 dogs