What Are Wireless Applications?

There are really two categories of wireless solutions that need to be defined. As Figure 1.1 illustrates, one type of wireless application is a wireless “public” solution. In other words, it’s the use of a terminal and public networks to conduct transactions and access information that ultimately results in the transaction of some sort of service or exchange. A Web browser such as Internet Explorer for Pocket PC is an example of a wireless “public” application. Unless you’re browsing cached pages, a Web browser typically is of little use for obtaining up-to-the-minute stock quotes unless you’re connected to the Internet. The same holds true for the wireless Web browser application that resides on a mobile device such as a WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) phone or a Pocket PC device. Other examples of wireless “public” applications are described in the following sections.

Real-Time Quoting Engines
These are applications that provide real-time information to the end-user typically for informational or analysis purposes. The key term to remember here is real-time, because most truly Wireless services supply essential information as it happens, such as emergency alerts, or a stock price drop. Typically, real-time information is required to make immediate and informed business decisions. Nonessential data, such as news articles, can usually be downloaded to a mobile device and read while on your train ride home or at home.

Location-Based Services
Location-based applications require the device to be constantly connected, or always on. It involves a two-way communication of information based on the location of a device (for promotions, emergency services, and so on). For example, the local hardware store can push coupons to a user’s mobile phone as they’re driving by the store. Location-based services have received some pushback from the consumers for security reasons. After all, who wants Big Brother watching over your shoulder, sending you messages at his whim? On the other hand, location services can also be used to locate individuals in need of help, as is done by E911 or enhanced 911 services. We’ll cover these and other location services in more detail in the following section.

Taken From : Enterprise Guide to Gaining Business Value from Mobile Technologies