From M/Cyclopedia of New Media
Functional Convergence
- Moderm mobile phones are not only can make and receive voice calls; but also can send and receive data. The first short message, as known as SMS was sent on the Vodafone GSM network in 1992; since then, the potential of mobile phones beyond voice transimission have been extended. Currently, it is fairly to say that all mobile phones are functional converged in varying degrees. Games and calculator is common ‘extra function’ on early day’s mobile phones; in addition, features used to be proved by other handheld devices, such as, PDA (Personal Data Assistant), MP3 player, digital camera, and GPS (Global Positioning System) often are included in the latest phones.
Accompany with the development of 3G networks, the capacities of mobile phone have been enhanced; along with personal communication device, mobile phone could eventually be part of individuality.
- The 3G mobile phone will not replace the PC as a device for computing--no miniature spread sheets, differential equation analyzers, and not even a word processor. It will, however, combine your phone book, calendar, and task list more effectively than was previously possible. It will be able to encapsulate a description of you, your identity, and your preferences in such a way, and with such assuredness, that you will be able to use a mobile phone to pay for items�?highway tolls, drinks from vending machines--and to confirm your presence to devices such as ATMs and forthcoming flight and train check-in machines.(O'Shea, 2001:8)
- In this viewpoint, mobile phone will be able to send and receive various data at real-time, such as commercial transaction and personal schedule; even the mobile phone itself could be an identity item. Therefore, as a ‘data staorage’ and ‘data transmission’ device, privacy and security issues are no less important than protecting information on computers.
Currently, Bluetooth wireless technology and Infrared transmission is used for short range data transmission, it can replace the cable between devices, for instance, linking mobile phone and its wireless headset. However, some of the Bluetooth enables phones have been discovered several security holes; an attacker can download the contact details or phone book without leaving trace from a vulnerable phone. It could be a threat of privacy and information security while using those vulnerable phones in public environment.
- It is expected that future mobile phones will be able to switch between multiple wireless communication modes, such as GSM, GPRS, GPS, satellite phone, WiFi, etc., consequently, the importance of data transmission security and cryptology requirements are increasing day by day.
See also
Bluetooth and Security
Bluetooth- Security
References
Kotadia, M. ‘Bluetooth phones at risk from 'snarfing' [Online] Available:http://news.zdnet.co.uk/communications/wireless/0,39020348,39145886,00.htm [Accessed 10 Oct. 2004]
O'Shea, D. (2001) ‘THE 3G MOBILE PHONE: A MANAGER'S GUIDE’, Harvard Management Communication Letter [Online], vol.4, issue, 1, pp.8-9. Available: EBSCOhost Communication & Mass Media Complete Database [Accessed 19 Oct. 2004]
Wei-Ming Chiu 13:21, 28 Oct 2004 (EST)
