For all the hype, there must be something that makes these devices important. There is! Mobile devices add a host of new possibilities for business and personal software because they are truly the first mobile computing platforms. Although laptops and netbooks are moveable, their size significantly impacts how easily they are transported. Very few people carry a laptop during their every waking hour to every location they visit! However, if this were their only advantage, mobile devices would not be causing such a stir. There is much more.
One key feature of a mobile device is the capability to be made aware of its current environment through built-in sensors. Mobile devices have sensors designed to capture where they are, where they’re going, and the environment around them. Sensors can identify their present location to within a few meters and capture their current heading, orientation, and acceleration.
Additionally, they can recognize how close they are to another object through a proximity sensor. These devices also have the capability to capture information about the ambient environment, including light levels, temperature, pressure, and magnetic field. Another important feature of a mobile device is the capability to communicate with other computing devices through a variety of mechanisms. A laptop can communicate using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
However, mobile devices also have these communication capabilities; they can communicate via cellular signals and using Near Field Communication (NFC). Wi-Fi is not available in all situations, and its range is measured in yards, whereas cellular’s range is measured in miles. Bluetooth may be too short range to be useful in many situations, but too long in other situations.
Conclusion
In many cases a website designed to be mobile friendly may be enough to hold or attract the customer. However, to truly tie your organization to the customer, an app is required. Many organizations are pursuing both approaches
