CHAPTER 2

MOBILE DEVICE
2.1 CLASSIFY LAPTOPS
& COMPONENTS
2.1.1 IDENTIFY LAPTOP
COMPONENTS
EXTERNAL FEATURES UNIQUE TO LAPTOPS
•Laptop and desktop computers use the same types of ports so that peripherals can be
interchangeable. These ports are specifically designed for connecting peripherals.
•The placement of ports, connections, and drives is unique because of the compact design of a
laptop. Ports, connections, and drives are located on the exterior of the laptop, in the front, back,
and side panels. Some laptops contain PC Card or ExpressCard slots to add functionality, such as
removable memory cards, a modem, or a network connection.
•Laptops require a port for external power. Laptops can operate using either a battery or an AC
power adapter. You can use this port to power the computer or to charge the battery.
•Status indicators, ports, slots, connectors, bays, jacks, vents, and a keyhole are on the exterior of
the laptop. Figure 1 shows four LEDs on the top of the laptop.
•NOTE: LED displays vary among laptops. Consult the laptop manual for a list of specific status
displays.
•A laptop operates using either a battery or an AC power adapter. Laptop batteries are
manufactured in various shapes and sizes. They use different types of chemicals and metals to store
power.
•A security keyhole enables a user to connect a laptop to a stationary location, such as a desk, by
using a combination or keyed lock
Figure 1
• Some parts of a laptop, typically called customer-
replaceable units (CRUs), can be replaced by the customer.
CRUs include such components as the laptop battery and
RAM.
• Parts that should not be replaced by the customer are
called field-replaceable units (FRUs). FRUs include
components such as the motherboard, LCD display and
keyboard.
• Replacing FRUs typically requires a considerable amount
of technical skill. In many cases, the device may need to be
returned to the place of purchase, a certified service
center, or the manufacturer.
COMMON INPUT DEVICES & LEDs IN LAPTOPS
•Laptops are designed to be compact and portable, while maintaining much of the functionality provided by
desktop systems. As a result, essential input devices are built-in to laptops. When a laptop is open, the following
input devices may be present:
•Touchpad
•Pointing stick
•Keyboard
•Fingerprint readers
•Microphone
•Web camera
•Click the highlighted areas in Figure 1 for more information about the input devices.
NOTE: Input devices that are built-in to laptops can be configured or optimized for speed, sensitivity, scrolling, or
the number of taps needed in the same manner as input devices for desktops.
•Laptops may feature LEDs that show the status of specific devices or components. LEDs are commonly found
below the display screen or directly above the keyboard. Click the highlighted areas in Figure 2 for more
information on these LEDs.
NOTE: LEDs vary by laptop model.
INTERNAL COMPONENTS
•The compact nature of laptops requires a number of internal components to fit in a small amount of space. The size
restrictions result in a variety of form factors for a number of laptop components, such as the system board, RAM, and CPU.
Some laptop components, such as the CPU, may be designed to use less power to ensure that the system can operate for a
longer period of time when using a battery source.
Motherboards
•Desktop motherboards have standard form factors. The standard size and shape allow motherboards from different
manufacturers to be interchangeable. In comparison, laptop motherboards vary by manufacturer and are proprietary. When
you repair a laptop, it is recommended that you obtain a replacement system board from the laptop manufacturer. Next slide
shows a comparison between a desktop motherboard and a laptop motherboard.
•Laptop system boards and desktop motherboards are designed differently. Components designed for a laptop generally
cannot be used in a desktop.
RAM
•Laptops have space restrictions. Therefore, they use Small Outline Dual In-line Memory Modules (SODIMMs)
CPUs
•Laptop processors are designed to use less power and create less heat than desktop processors. As a result, laptop
processors do not require cooling devices that are as large as those found in desktops. Laptop processors also use CPU
throttling to modify the clock speed as needed to reduce power consumption and heat. This results in a slight decrease in
performance, but it increases the lifespan of some components. These specially designed processors allow laptops to operate
for a longer period of time when using a battery power source.
NOTE: Refer to the laptop manual for compatible processors and for replacement instructions.
SPECIAL FUNCTION KEYS
•The purpose of the Function (Fn) key is to activate a second function on a dual-purpose key. The feature that is accessed by
pressing the Fn key in combination with another key is printed on the key in a smaller font or different color. Several functions
can be accessed:
Display settings
Display brightness
Keyboard backlight brightness
Volume setting
Sleep states
Wireless functionality
Bluetooth functionality
Battery status
NOTE: Some laptops may have dedicated function keys that perform functions without requiring users to press the Fn key.
•A laptop monitor is a built-in LCD. It is similar to a desktop LCD monitor, except that you can adjust the resolution, brightness,
and contrast settings using software or button controls. You cannot adjust the laptop monitor for height and distance because it
is integrated into the lid of the case. You can connect a desktop monitor to a laptop. Pressing the Fn key with the appropriate
Function key on the laptop keyboard toggles between the laptop display and the desktop monitor.
•Do not confuse the Fn key with Function keys F1 through F12. These keys are typically located in a row across the top of the
keyboard. Their function depends on the operating system (OS) and application that is running when they are pressed. Each key
can perform up to seven different operations by pressing it with one or more combinations of the Shift, Control, and Alt keys.
DOCKING STATION VERSUS PORT REPLICATOR
•A base station attaches to AC power and to desktop peripherals. When you plug the laptop into the base
station, you have access to power and the attached peripherals as well as an increased number of ports.
•There are two types of base stations that are used for the same purpose: docking stations and port replicators.
A port replicator may contain a SCSI port, a networking port, PS/2 ports, USB ports, and a game port. A docking
station has the same ports as a port replicator, but adds the ability to connect to PCI cards, additional hard
drives, optical drives, and floppy drives. A laptop connected to a docking station has the same functionalities as
a desktop computer.
•Docking stations and port replicators use a variety of connection types:
- Manufacturer- and model-specific
- USB and FireWire
- PC-Card or ExpressCard
•Some base stations connect to a laptop using a port that is located on the top of the docking station. Other
base stations are designed to plug directly into a USB port of the laptop. Most laptops can be docked when in
use or while shut off. Adding devices when docking can be handled with plug-and-play technology or by having
a separate hardware profile for the docked and undocked state.
NOTE: Many base stations are proprietary and only work with particular laptops. Before buying a base station,
check the laptop documentation or the website of the manufacturer to determine the appropriate make and
model for the laptop.
 Port replicator
Docking station
 2.1.2 IDENTIFY LAPTOP DISPLAY
COMPONENTS
LCD, LED, OLED, & PLASMA MONITORS
•Laptop monitors are built-in displays. They are similar to desktop monitors, except that you can adjust the
resolution, brightness, and contrast using software or button controls. You cannot adjust the laptop monitor for
height and distance because it is integrated into the lid of the case. You can connect a desktop monitor to a
laptop, providing the user with multiple screens and increased functionality, as shown in the figure.
•There are four types of laptop displays:
- LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
- LED (Light Emitting Diode)
- OLED (Organic LED)
- Plasma
•LED monitors use less power and have a longer lifespan than LCD monitors. Organic LED (OLED) technology is
commonly used for mobile devices and digital cameras, but can also be found in laptop concept designs. OLED
monitors will become more popular as the technology improves. Plasma displays are rarely found in laptops,
because they consume a large amount of power.
•On many laptops, a small pin on the laptop cover contacts a switch when the case is closed, called an LCD cutoff
switch. The LCD cut-off switch helps conserve power by extinguishing the backlight and turning off the LCD. If this
switch breaks or is dirty, the LCD remains dark while the laptop is open. Carefully clean this switch to restore
normal operation.
 INTERNAL COMPONENTS
BACKLIGHTS & INVERTERS
•An inverter and backlight are two important display components. The
inverter converts DC power to the higher voltage AC power that is
required by the backlight. The backlight shines through the screen and
illuminates the display. Two common types of backlights are cold
cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) and LED. LED monitors use LED-based
backlights that do not have fluorescent tubes or inverters.
•LCD monitors use CCFL technology for the backlight. The fluorescent
tube is connected to an inverter. In most laptops, the inverter is
behind the screen panel and close to the LCD. The backlight is behind
the LCD screen. To replace the backlight, you must completely
disassemble the display unit.
WIFI ANTENNA CONNECTORS
•Wi-Fi antennas transmit and receive data carried
out over wireless signals. Wi-Fi antennas in laptops
are typically located above the screen.
•The Wi-Fi antenna is connected to a wireless card
by an antenna wire and antenna leads. The wires
are fastened to the display unit by wire guides
which are located on the sides of the screen.
WIFI ANTENNA
 2.1.3 IDENTIFY LAPTOP POWER
SETTINGS
POWER MANAGEMENT
•Advances in power management and battery technology are increasing the time that a laptop
can be disconnected from AC power. Current batteries can last up to 10 hours or more without
recharging. Configuring laptop power settings to better manage power usage is important to
ensure that the battery is used efficiently.
•Power management controls the flow of electricity to the components of a computer. There
are two methods of power management:
•Advanced Power Management (APM)
•Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI)
•APM is an earlier version of power management. With APM, the BIOS controls the settings for
power management.
•ACPI has replaced APM. ACPI standards, create a bridge between the hardware and OS and
allow technicians to create power management schemes to get the best performance from a
laptop. The ACPI standards are applicable to most computers, but they are particularly
important when managing power in laptops.
MANAGING ACPI SETTINGS IN THE BIOS
•Technicians frequently are required to configure power settings by changing the settings in the BIOS setup. The next figure
shows an example of power settings in the BIOS setup. Configuring the power settings in BIOS setup affects the following:
•System states
•Battery and AC modes
•Thermal management
•CPU PCI bus power management
•Wake on LAN (WOL)
NOTE: WOL might require a cable connection inside the computer from the network adapter to the motherboard.
•In Windows, the ACPI power management mode must be enabled in the BIOS setup to allow the OS to configure the power
management states.
•To enable ACPI mode in the BIOS setup, follow these steps:
Step 1. Enter BIOS setup.
Step 2. Locate and enter the Power Management settings menu item.
Step 3. Use the appropriate keys to enable ACPI mode.
Step 4. Save and exit BIOS setup.
NOTE: These steps are common to most laptops, but be sure to check the laptop documentation for specific configuration
settings. There is no standard name for each power management state. Manufacturers might use different names for the
same state.
MANAGING POWER LAPTOPS OPTION
The Power Options utility in Windows allows you to reduce the power consumption of specific devices or the entire system. You can manage power usage for the following:
•Laptop
•Hard drive
•Display
•Sleep timers
•Low-battery warnings
To configure power settings in Windows 7 and Windows Vista, use the following path:
•Start > Control Panel > Power Options
To configure power settings in Windows XP, use the following path:
•Start > Control Panel > Power Options
•Laptop Power Options
If you do not want to completely shut down the laptop when you press the power button, you can adjust settings to reduce power usage.
To access the Define power buttons and turn on password protection menu in Windows 7 and Windows Vista, click the Choose what the power buttons do link on the left hand side of the
Power Options utility. In Windows XP, the Power buttons settings can be accessed by selecting the Advanced tab in the Power Options utility.
In Windows 7 and Windows Vista, the options are:
•Do nothing - The computer continues to run at full power.
•Sleep - Documents and applications are saved in RAM, allowing the computer to power on quickly.
•Hibernate - Documents and applications are saved to a temporary file on the hard drive. The laptop takes a little longer than Sleep to power on.
In Windows XP, the options are:
•Standby - Documents and applications are saved in RAM, allowing the computer to power on quickly.
•Hibernate - Documents and applications are saved to a temporary file on the hard drive. The laptop takes a little longer than Standby to power on.
Hard Drive and Display Power Management
•Two of the biggest power consumers on a laptop are the hard drive and display. You can select when to turn the hard drive or display off when the laptop is
running on a battery or AC adapter.
•To adjust the power settings for a hard drive, display, or other computer component in Windows 7 and Windows Vista, follow these steps:
Step 1. Click Start > Control Panel > Power Options.
Step 2. Locate the power plan.
Step 3. Click Change plan settings.
Step 4. Click Change advanced power settings.
•To access the Advanced Power Settings in Windows XP, use the following path:
Start > Control Panel > Power Options > Advanced tab
Sleep Timers
•Customized sleep timers for Windows 7 and Windows Vista Power Plans settings. The Windows XP Power Schemes settings.
•To configure sleep timers in Windows 7 and Windows Vista, follow these steps:
Step 1. Click Start > Control Panel > Power Options.
Step 2. Click Change when the computer sleeps and select the desired time.
•To configure sleep timers in Windows XP, use the following path:
Start > Control Panel > Power Options and select the desired time
Battery Warnings
•In Windows, you can set the levels for battery warnings. The default for a low-battery warning is 10 percent remaining capacity. The default for critical battery
level is 5 percent. You can also set the type of notification and the action to take, such as whether to sleep, hibernate, or shut down the laptop when the battery
capacity reaches the specified level.
2.1.4 IDENTIFY LAPTOP WIRELESS COMM
TECHNOLOGIES
BLUETOOTH
•The Bluetooth technical specification is described by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.15.1 standard. Bluetooth
devices are capable of handling voice, music, videos, and data.
•The distance of a Bluetooth PAN is limited by the amount of power used by the devices in the PAN. Bluetooth devices are broken into three
classifications. The most common Bluetooth network is Class 2, which has a range of approximately 33 ft (10 m).
•Four specifications of Bluetooth technology, define the standards for data transfer rates. Each subsequent version offers enhanced
capabilities. For instance, Version 1 is older technology with limited capabilities, and Version 4 features more advanced capabilities.
•Security measures are included in the Bluetooth standard. The first time that a Bluetooth device connects, the device is authenticated using a
PIN. Bluetooth supports both 128-bit encryption and PIN authentication.
Bluetooth Installation and Configuration
•Windows activates connections to Bluetooth devices by default. If the connection is not active, look for a switch on the front face or on the
side of the laptop to enable the connection. If a laptop does not feature Bluetooth technology, you can purchase USB Bluetooth adapters that
plug in to a USB port.
•Before installing and configuring a device, make sure that Bluetooth is enabled in the BIOS.
•Turn on the device and make it discoverable to Windows. Check the device documentation to learn how to make the device discoverable. Use
the Bluetooth Wizard to search and discover Bluetooth devices that are in Discoverable mode.
Step 3. Click My device is set up and ready to be found > Next.
Step 4. Select the discovered device and click Next.
Step 5. If prompted, enter a passkey and click Next.
Step 6. Click Finish.
• To discover a Bluetooth device in Windows 7, follow these steps:
Step 1. Click Start > Control Panel > Devices and Printers > Add a device.
Step 2. Select the discovered device and click Next.
Step 3. Enter the pairing code provided by Windows 7 into the Bluetooth device.
Step 4. When the device has been successfully added, click Close.
• In Windows Vista, follow these steps:
Step 1. Click Start > Control Panel > Network and Internet > Set up a Bluetooth enabled device >
Device > Add.
Step 2. If prompted, click Continue. The Add Bluetooth Device Wizard starts.
Step 3. Click My device is set up and ready to be found > Next.
Step 4. Select the discovered device and click Next.
Step 5. If prompted, enter a passkey and click Finish.
• In Windows XP, follow these steps:
Step 1. Click Start > Control Panel > Bluetooth Devices > Device > Add.
Step 2. The Add Bluetooth Device Wizard starts.
INFRARED
•Infrared (IR) wireless technology is a low-power, short-range wireless technology. IR transmits data using LEDs and receives data using photodiodes. IR wireless networks are globally
unregulated. However, the Infrared Data Association (IrDA) defines the specifications for IR wireless communication. Figure 1 lists common IR characteristics.
•Three common types of IR networks:
Line of sight - The signal is transmitted only if there is a clear, unobstructed view between devices.
Scatter - The signal is bounced off ceilings and walls.
Reflective - The signal is sent to an optical transceiver and is redirected to the receiving device.
•Setting up and configuring IR devices is simple. Many IR devices connect to the USB port on a laptop or desktop computer. When the computer detects the new device, Windows 7 installs the
appropriate drivers. The installation is similar to setting up a LAN connection.
•IR is a practical, short-range connection solution, but it has some limitations:
-IR light cannot penetrate ceilings or walls.
-IR signals are susceptible to interference and dilution by strong light sources, such as fluorescent lighting.
-Scatter IR devices can connect without the line of sight, but data transfer rates are lower and distances are shorter.
-IR distances should be 3 feet (1 m) or less when used for computer communications.
-Before installing and configuring a device, make sure that IR is enabled in the BIOS by following these steps:
Step 1. Turn on the device to make it discoverable to Windows.
Step 2. Align the devices.
Step 3. When the devices are correctly aligned, an icon appears on the taskbar with a pop-up message.
Step 4. Click the pop-up message to display the Infrared dialog box.
•Laptops without an internal IR device can connect a serial IR transceiver to a serial port or USB port. Next figure shows an internal IR port transceiver.
•You can also access the Infrared dialog box in the Control Panel. You can configure the following settings:
Infrared - Control how you are notified about an IR connection, and control how files are transferred.
Image Transfer - Control how images are transferred from a digital camera.
Hardware - Lists IR devices that are installed on the computer.
internal IR port transceiver on a PDA

internal IR port transceiver on a laptop

CELLULAR WAN
•To connect a laptop to a cellular WAN, you install an adapter that is designed to
work with cellular networks. Cellular WAN cards are plug-and-play (PnP). The card
plugs in to the PC card slot or is built-in to the laptop. You can also access a cellular
WAN with a USB adapter, or by using a mobile hotspot. The mobile hotspot can be
connected to the laptop using Wi-Fi technology. Some cell phones offer mobile
hotspot functionality.
•Laptops with integrated cellular WAN capabilities require no software installation
and no additional antenna or accessories. When you turn on the laptop, the
integrated WAN capabilities are ready to use. If the connection is not active, look for
a switch on the front face or on the side of the laptop to enable the connection by
following these steps:
Step 1. Before installing and configuring the device, make sure that cellular WAN is
enabled in the BIOS.
Step 2. Install the manufacturer’s broadband card utility software.
Step 3. Use the utility software to manage the network connection.
The cellular WAN utility software is usually located in the taskbar or in Start >
Programs.
WIFI
•Laptops access the internet by using wireless adapters. Wireless adapters can be built-in to the laptop or attached to the laptop through a
laptop expansion port. Three major types of wireless adapters are used in laptops.
Mini-PCI - Commonly used by older laptops. Mini-PCI cards have 124 pins and are capable of 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g wireless LAN
connection standards.
Mini-PCIe - Most common type of wireless card in laptops. Mini-PCIe cards have 54 pins and support all wireless LAN standards.
PCI Express Micro - Commonly found in newer and smaller laptops, such as Ultrabooks, because they are half the size of Mini-PCIe cards. PCI
Express Micro cards have 54 pins and support all wireless LAN standards.
•Wireless expansion cards are not commonly used in newer laptops, because most of them have built-in wireless adapter cards. It is more
common to use a USB adapter to add or upgrade wireless capabilities for a laptop.
•To configure wireless Ethernet settings on a laptop running Windows 7 and Windows Vista, follow these steps:
Step 1. Make sure that the modem and router software is installed and that both devices are turned on.
Step 2. Select Start > Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Set up a new connection or network.
Step 3. If a connection or network has already been established, click Connect and select the network.
Step 4. Use the Set up a new connection or network wizard to establish the new connection or configure the new network.
•To configure wireless Ethernet settings on a laptop running Windows XP, follow these steps:
Step 1. Make sure that the modem and router software is installed and that both devices are turned on.
Step 2. Select Start > Control Panel > Network and Internet Connections > Network Connections.
Step 3. If a connection or network has already been established, click Connect and select the network.
Step 4. If a connection or network has not been established, click the Create a new connection link.
Step 5. Use the Set up a new connection or network wizard to establish the new connection or configure the new network.
2.2 IDENTIFY CHARACTERISTICS OF
VARIOUS TYPES OF OTHER MOBILE
DEVICES
2.2.1 Identify Mobile
Device Hardware
 Non-Field-Serviceable Parts
• Unlike laptops, mobile devices do not have field-
serviceable parts. Mobile devices consist of several
compact components integrated into a single unit.

• When a mobile device malfunctions, it is usually sent

to the manufacturer for repair or replacement. If the
device is still under warranty, it can often be
returned to the place of purchase for an exchange.
• There are parts and instructions available from many
websites to repair mobile devices, including touchscreens,
front or back glass, and batteries.

• Installing parts from sources other than the manufacturer

voids the manufacturer’s warranty and might harm the
device. For example, a battery for an iPhone, should not be
replaced with a battery that does not come from Apple. If a
replacement battery is installed that does not meet the
exact electrical specification for the phone, the phone could
short out or overload, becoming unusable.
• There are no field-serviceable parts for mobile devices,
but there are a few mobile device parts that are field-
replaceable:
• Battery - Some mobile device batteries can be replaced.
• Memory card - Many mobile devices use memory cards
to add storage.
• Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card - This small card
contains information used to authenticate a device to
mobile telephone and data services. SIM cards can also
hold user data such as contacts and text messages.
SIM card

Memory card
Non-Upgradeable Hardware
• Some functionality can be added to mobile devices
through the use of built-in ports and docking stations.
These connections offer expandability, such as video
or audio output, a connection to a docking station, or
docking to a clock radio.

• Some smartphones can even be docked to a device

with a keyboard, track pad, and LCD monitor to create
a version of a laptop. There are also tablet cases that
have a keyboard on the inside.
• When a mobile device no longer possesses the
capabilities or operates at the speeds required by the
user, it must be replaced. Often, old mobile devices
can be traded in for credit when purchasing a new
one. The items are refurbished and resold or donated.

• Basic mobile devices can be donated to be reused

when they cannot be traded in. Check for local
donation programs in your area to find where these
devices can be taken.
 Touchscreens
• Most mobile devices do not have a keyboard or a pointing
device. They use touchscreens to allow users to physically
interact with what is shown on the screen and type on a
virtual keyboard.

• Fingers or a stylus are used in place of a mouse pointer.

Icons, like those found on desktops and laptops, are clicked
with a touch rather than a mouse button. Mobile device
manufacturers use the word tap or touch when describing
operations and steps when using a mobile device.
 Types Of
• There are twoTouchscreens
types of touchscreens:
• Capacitive - Consists of a glass screen coated with a conductor. Because
the human body is also a conductor, touching the screen interrupts the
electrical field of the screen. This change is measured by the touch
processor to determine the vertical and horizontal location of the touch
on the screen.
• Resistive - Consists of transparent layers of material capable of
conducting electricity. These layers have a small air gap between them.
One layer conducts electricity from top to bottom, while the other
conducts electricity from left to right. When pressure is exerted on the
screen, the two layers touch. When the layers touch, the vertical and
horizontal locations are calculated by the touch processor from where
the electricity is interrupted.
These are some common gestures used to perform
functions:
•Slide or swipe 
•Double touch 
•Long touch 
•Scroll 
•Pinch - Zoom out
•Spread - Zoom in
• These gestures may be different between devices.
Many other gestures can also be used, depending on
the device and operating system version. Check the
device documentation for additional information.

• Some smartphones have a proximity sensor that

turns off the touchscreen when the phone is up to
your ear and turns it on when you pull the device
away from your ear. This prevents icons or numbers
from being activated by contact with your face or
ear, and also saves power.
 Solid State Drives
•Mobile devices use the same components
found in SSDs to store data. To reduce the
size requirements, there is no case
surrounding the components. The circuit
board, flash memory chips, and memory
controller in SSDs are installed directly inside
the mobile device.
 Advantages Of Using Flash
•Memory
Power efficiency - Flash memory requires very little power to store and
retrieve data. This reduces the frequency with which mobile devices need to
be recharged.
• Reliability - Flash memory can withstand high levels of shock and vibration
without failing. Flash memory is also highly resistant to heat and cold.
• Lightweight - The weight of mobile devices is not significantly affected by the
amount of memory installed.
• Compact - Because flash memory is compact, mobile devices can remain
small regardless of the amount of memory installed.
• Performance - Flash memory does not have any moving parts, so there is no
spin-up time for platters like a conventional hard drive. There is also no drive
head to move, reducing the seek time to locate data.
• Noise - Flash memory makes no noise.
Internal structure of a hard drive Internal structure of a solid state drive
2.3 Identify accessories & ports of other
mobile devices
 2.4 ARRANGE BASIC MOBILE
DEVICE NETWORK
CONNECTIVITY & APPLICATION
SUPPORT

2.4.1 CONFIGURE NETWORK CONNECTIVITY FOR:

Wireless and Cellular Data Network
• Mobile devices give people the freedom to work, learn,
play, and communicate wherever they want. People using
mobile devices do not need to be tied to a physical
location to send and receive voice, video, and data
communications.
• In addition, wireless facilities, such as Internet cafes, are
available in many countries. College campuses use
wireless networks to allow students to sign up for classes,
watch lectures, and submit assignments in areas where
physical connections to the network are unavailable.
• With mobile devices becoming more powerful, many
tasks that needed to be performed on large
computers connected to physical networks can now
be completed using mobile devices on wireless
networks.
• Almost all mobile devices are capable of connecting
to Wi-Fi networks. It is advisable to connect to Wi-Fi
networks when possible because data used over Wi-Fi
does not count against the cellular data plan. Also,
because Wi-Fi radios use less power than cellular
radios, connecting to Wi-Fi networks conserves.
• Like other Wi-Fi-enabled devices, it is important to
use security when connecting to Wi-Fi networks.
These precautions should be taken to protect Wi-Fi
communications on mobile devices:
• Never send login or password information using
clear, unencrypted text.
• Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) connection
when possible.
• Enable security on home networks.
• Use WPA2 security.
• When people began to use cell phones, there were few
industry-wide standards for cell phone technology.
Without standards, it was difficult and expensive to make
calls to people that were on another network. Today, cell
phone providers use industry standards, making it easier
to use cell phones to make calls.
• Cellular standards have not been adopted uniformly
around the world. Some cell phones are capable of using
multiple standards, whereas others can use only one
standard. As a result, some cell phones can operate in
many countries, and other cell phones can only be used
locally.
1G
• The first generation (1G) of cell phones began service
in the 1980s. First-generation phones primarily used
analog standards.

• With analog, interference and noise cannot easily be

separated from the voice in the signal.

• This factor limits the usefulness of analog systems.

Few 1G devices are in use today.
 2G
• In the 1990s, the second generation (2G) of mobile devices
was marked by a switch from analog to digital standards.

• Digital standards provide higher call quality. These are some

common 2G standards:
• Global System for Mobile (GSM)
• Integrated Digital Enhanced Network (iDEN)
• Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)
• Personal Digital Cellular (PDC)
3G
• As 3G cell phone standards were being developed,
extensions to the existing 2G standards were added.
• These transitional standards are known as 2.5G
standards. These are some common 2.5G standards
extensions:
• General Packet Radio Service (GPRS)
• Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE)
• CDMA2000
• Third-generation (3G) standards enable mobile devices to go
beyond simple voice and data communications. It is now common
for mobile devices to send and receive text, photos, audio, and
video. 3G even provides enough bandwidth for video conferencing.
3G mobile devices are also able to access the Internet to browse,
play games, listen to music, and watch video. These are some
common 3G standards:
• Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS)
• CDMA2000
• Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO)
• Freedom of Mobile Multimedia Access (FOMA)
• Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD-
SCDMA)
 4G
• Fourth-generation (4G) standards provide ultra-broadband Internet
access.
• Higher data rates allow users to download files much faster,
perform video conferencing, or watch high-definition television.
• These are some common 4G standards:
• Mobile WiMAX
• Long Term Evolution (LTE)
• The specification for 4G devices requires a maximum of 100 Mb/s
communication for highly mobile devices like those in a car. The
specification also requires a maximum of 1 Gb/s for devices being
used by people moving slowly or standing still.
WiMAX and LTE
•Even though Mobile WiMAX and LTE fall short of the data rate to be
compliant with 4G (128 Mb/s and 100 Mb/s, respectively), they are
still considered 4G standards, because they offer so much
improvement over the performance of 3G. WiMAX and LTE are also
forerunners to versions that will be compliant with the full
specification of 4G.
•Technologies that add multimedia and networking functionality can
be bundled with cellular standards. The two most common are Short
Message Service (SMS), used for text messaging, and Multimedia
Message Service (MMS), used for sending and receiving photos and
videos. Most cellular providers charge extra for adding these features.
 Bluetooth
• Mobile devices connect using many different methods. Cellular and Wi-
Fi can be difficult to configure, and require extra equipment such as
towers and access points. Cable connections are not always practical
when connecting headsets or speakers. Bluetooth technology provides
a simple way for mobile devices to connect to each other and to
wireless accessories. Bluetooth is wireless, automatic, and uses very
little power, which helps conserve battery life. Up to eight Bluetooth
devices can be connected together at any one time.
• Bluetooth is a networking standard that has two levels, physical and
protocol. At the physical level, Bluetooth is a radio frequency standard.
At the protocol level, devices agree on when bits are sent, how they are
sent, and that what is received is the same as what was sent.
These are some examples of how mobile devices use Bluetooth:
•Handsfree headset - A small earpiece with a microphone used for making and
receiving calls
•Keyboard or mouse - A keyboard or mouse can be connected to a mobile
device to make input easier
•Stereo control - A mobile device can connect to a home or car stereo to play
music.  
•Car speakerphone - A device that contains a speaker and a microphone used
for making and receiving calls
•Tethering - A mobile device can connect to another mobile device or
computer to share a network connection. Tethering can also be performed
with a Wi-Fi connection or a cable connection such as USB.  
•Mobile speaker - Portable speakers can connect to mobile devices to provide
high-quality audio without a stereo system.
• Bluetooth pairing is when two Bluetooth devices establish a
connection to share resources. In order for the devices to pair, the
Bluetooth radios are turned on, and one device begins searching
for other devices. Other devices must be set to discoverable mode,
also called visible, so that they can be detected. When a Bluetooth
device is in discoverable mode, it transmits the following
information when another Bluetooth device requests it:
• Name
• Bluetooth class
• Services that the device can use
• Technical information, such as the features or the Bluetooth
specification that it supports
2.5 STATE THE METHODS USED
TO PERFORM MOBILE DEVICE
SYNCHRONIZATION
2.5.1 Explain Mobile Device Synchronization
Data synchronization is the exchange of data between two or more
devices, while maintaining consistent data on those devices. Some of the
types of data that can be synchronized are:
•Contacts
•Email
•Calendar entries
•Pictures
•Music
•Apps
•Video
•Browser links and settings
2.5.2 Identify types of data to synchronize
• To synchronize data on an iOS device, iTunes
software must be installed.
• iTunes is a media player application that
downloads, plays, and organizes content for use
with iOS devices and computers.
• iTunes also manages iOS devices by activating
them with Apple and restoring them when there
is a malfunction. iTunes is also used to upgrade
the iOS.
These are the application installation software requirements
for Windows:
• PC with a 1 GHz Intel or AMD processor
• 512 MB of RAM
• Windows XP Service Pack 2 or later, 32-bit editions of
Windows Vista, or 32-bit editions of Windows 7
• 64-bit editions of Windows Vista or Windows 7 require
the iTunes 64-bit installer
• Requirements change with different versions, and there
are additional requirements for special audio and video
capabilities. For more information, refer to the Apple
website.
• No application is necessary to synchronize content for Android
devices. Automatic synchronization for various types of data and
content with Google is accessed by selecting Settings > Personal >
Accounts & sync.
• These are the application installation software requirements for
Windows:
• PC with a 3.0 GHz Intel Pentium IV or AMD Athlon XP 2600+ or
faster single-core processor or a PC with a 1.8 GHz Core Duo,
Pentium dual-core or multi-core Athlon/Phenom or faster
processor
• 1 GB of RAM
• Windows XP Service Pack 3 or later, Windows Vista, or
Windows 7
• To synchronize data between devices, the devices must use
a common communication medium. USB and Wi-Fi
connections are the most common connection types used to
synchronize data between devices.
• One benefit of synchronizing data using this method is that
the data is accessible from any computer or mobile device
at any time by signing in to a Google account.
• The disadvantage to this arrangement is that it can be
difficult to synchronize data with programs that are installed
locally on a computer, such as Outlook for email, calendar,
and contacts, or iTunes for music and video.
• Before iOS 5, synchronization was limited to using a USB
connection cable to connect the device to a computer. You
can now use Wi-Fi Sync to synchronize with iTunes
wirelessly.
• To use Wi-Fi Sync, you must first synchronize the iOS device
with iTunes using a USB cable. You must also turn on Sync
over Wi-Fi Connection in the Summary pane of iTunes.
After that, you can use Wi-Fi Sync or a USB cable.
• When the iOS device is on the same wireless network as the
computer running iTunes and it is plugged into a power
source, it automatically synchronizes with iTunes.