An Overview of
Mobile Systems and Ecosystems
CSE 3203
Overview of Mobile Systems
Jack G. Zheng
Fall 2018
https://www.edocr.com/v/dao4xlgy/jgzheng/Mobile-System-Overview
http://jackzheng.net/teaching/cse3203
Mobile is the internet
Mobile is the new central ecosystem of tech
Mobile means an ecosystem and that
ecosystem will swallow 'PCs'
2
Benedict Evans
https://www.ben-evans.com/benedictevans/2015/12/15/16-mobile-theses
St. Peter's
Basilica at
the Vatican
http://photoblog.nbc
news.com/_news/2
013/03/14/1731231
6-witnessing-papal-
history-changes-
with-digital-age
3
Content Overview
What is a mobile system?
What is a mobile ecosystem? What does it
consists of?
Operator/Carrier
Connection
Device
OS/platform
Application
Services
Application development
4
Mobile System
A mobile system is an system of applications
and services that centered around mobile
devices for computing and information needs
Mobile devices (hardware): movable, easy-to-
carry, and fully functional devices
A mobile system is not just a hardware
concept but also includes software and
services
Software: OS, applications
Service: network, data/information, web,
business, etc.
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Fast Growing of Mobile Systems
The Internet and Web grows fast; this growth is driven by the mobile usage
Key reports and forecast from Cisco
https://www.cisco.com/c/dam/assets/sol/sp/vni/forecast_highlights_mobile/index.html
The infographic https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/service-provider/visual-
networking-index-vni/vni-infographic.html
http://blogs.cisco.com/sp/top-5-surprises-from-the-2017-mobile-vni-study
Cisco Mobile Visual Networking Index (VNI) Forecast:
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/service-provider/visual-networking-index-
vni/index.html#~mobile-forecast
Exponential growth of mobile usage for the past 5 years
FCC mobile wireless competition report https://www.fcc.gov/reports-
research/reports/mobile-wireless-competition-reports
https://www.gsmaintelligence.com: live numbers
KPCB Internet Trends https://www.kleinerperkins.com/perspectives/internet-trends-report-
2018
Mobile is the new central ecosystem of information transaction needs
http://ben-evans.com/benedictevans/2015/12/15/16-mobile-theses
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https://www.kleinerperkins.com/perspecti
ves/internet-trends-report-2018
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/service-
provider/visual-networking-index-vni/vni-infographic.html
http://www.extremetech.com/mobile/247026-
android-surpasses-windows-used-operating-
system-worldwide
Mobile Ecosystem
An ecosystem is a bigger system that consists of various players or
parts (smaller systems) which sustain and grow together.
A mobile ecosystem is a collection of mobile devices, systems,
services, plus development tools, companies, and users, that sustain
and grow together.
The mobile ecosystem generally includes the following layers; each
layer consists players, standards, tools, etc.
adapted from the book Mobile Design and Development, Chapter 2
https://books.google.com/books?id=LyMeulBTkH0C
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Applications and Services
App Dev Platforms/Frameworks
OS
Devices (Hardware)
Platforms
Connectivity (Operators)
Some more resources and perspectives:
https://www.slideshare.net/iivanoo/lecture01
-11910341
https://www.slideshare.net/pragatiogal/mobil
e-ecosystem-9716726
https://learndatamodeling.com/blog/what-is-
mobile-ecosystem/
http://ben-
evans.com/benedictevans/2015/11/7/mobile
-ecosystems-and-the-death-of-pcs
Connectivity
The connectivity layer provides the basic
connection infrastructure for mobile systems
Mobile operators/carriers
Connections and networks (standards)
Devices for connections
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Operators/Carriers
A mobile network operator or MNO, also known as a carrier, is a provider of
wireless communications services that owns or controls all the elements
necessary to deliver services to an end user
Major responsibilities
Create and maintain the mobile infrastructure: towers, satellites, cables, access points, etc.
Provide connection services and Internet/data services
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Top operators in the world by subscriptions
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mobile_network_operators
Note: by revenue, at&t and Verizon are the two biggest telecom
companies in the world.
Rank
Company
Country
Total subscriptions (in millions)
1 China Mobile
China
901.9 (May 2018)
2 Vodafone
UK
535.8 (March 2018)
3 Airtel
India
450.7 (March 2018)
4 China Unicom
China
297.0 (April 2018)
5 Amrica Mvil
Mexico
279.1 (March 2018)
6 China Telecom
China
276.1 (May 2018)
7 Telefnica
Spain
271.9 (June 2018)
The Big 4 in US
By subscriptions
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_wireless_com
munications_service_providers
Verizon Wireless: 152.7 million (Q2 2018)
AT&T Mobility: 147.3 million (Q2 2018)
T-Mobile US: 75.6 million (Q2 2018)*
Sprint Corporation: 53.7 million (Q2 2018)*
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* T-Mobile and Spring proposed
a merger in Jun 2018
https://www.digitaltrends.com/m
obile/t-mobile-sprint-merger/
Market share:
https://www.fcc.gov/20th-
mobile-wireless-competition-
report-quick-facts
Connections and Networks
Wide area
Cellular networks: GSM, HSPA, LTE
Provide direction connection and maintained by
mobile operators
Broadband wireless access
Local area
Wireless LAN, WiFi
Can be set up by private or public providers
Nearme or personal area
Direct connections: Bluetooth, NFC, IR
Personal area network, near-me area network
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Cellular Network Generations
1G
2G
3G
4G
Name
1st Generation
Mobile Network
2nd Generation
Mobile Network
3rd Generation
Mobile Network
4th Generation
Mobile Network
Introduced in year 1980s
1993
2001
2009
Technology
AMPS (Advanced
Mobile Phone
System), NMT,
TACS
IS-95, GSM
IMT2000, WCDMA LTE, WiMAX
Multiple
Address/Access
system
FDMA
TDMA, CDMA
CDMA
CDMA
Switching type
Circuit switching
Circuit switching for
Voice and Packet
switching for Data
Packet switching
except for Air
Interface
Packet switching
Speed (data rates)
2.4 Kbps to 14.4
kbps
14.4 Kbps
3.1 Mbps
100 Mbps
Special
Characteristic
First wireless
communication
Digital version of 1G
technology
Digital broadband,
speed increments
Very high speeds, All
IP
Features
Voice only
Multiple users on
single channel
Multimedia features,
Video Call
High Speed, real
time streaming
Supports
Voice only
Voice and Data
Voice and Data
Voice and Data
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https://www.qualcomm.com/documents/evolution-mobile-technologies-1g-2g-3g-4g-lte
Cellular Networks Market Share
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https://www.gsmaintelligence.com/research/2016/11/the-mobile-economy-north-
america-2016/587/
Platforms
A platform is the defining feature of a mobile
system
A platform defines and supports all major
features and activities of a mobile system
Usually include devices, hardware components,
OS, application development and management
frameworks
Major platforms
Android (open source)
Apple iOS (proprietary)
Others: Windows (sort of ), etc.
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Type of Devices
A mobile device is a general term for any type of portable/movable devices with computing
power, connectivity and interactivity. Common features include:
Portable (or movable)
Computing power: general or specific purpose, with storage.
Various connection methods (WiFi, cellular)
Various interaction methods (touchscreen, remote control, connected I/O)

The core type of mobile devices is the smart phone
Estimated 2.5 billion smartphone users worldwide https://www.statista.com/statistics/330695/number-of-
smartphone-users-worldwide/
Other device types
Laptop, netbook, ultrabook
Tablet https://www.zdnet.com/article/tablet-computers-an-overview/
Handheld e-reader, PDA, gaming console, music player (iPod)
Wearable: watch, glasses, headsets, pens, etc.
Movable attached/integrated: cars, drones, bikes, robot, etc.
Human augmenter (implants)
Home: TV, home automation, TV box, projector, etc.?

IoT devices?
Anything else?
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Globally, 75% of mobile connections will be 'smart' connections
by 2021, up from 46% in 2016.

In the United States, 99% of mobile connections (excluding
LPWA) will be 'smart' connections by 2021, up from 80% in 2016.
https://www.cisco.com/c/dam/assets/sol/sp/vni/forecast_highlights_m
obile/index.html
Smartphone
Smartphones are phones with additional functionalities supported by high
computing power (way beyond a "phone"); they typically run an operating
system and more applications, have a larger screen size (resolution), and have
touchscreens.
Superphone https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superphone
Should it be called a smartphone? https://blog.untitledkingdom.com/we-need-a-
new-name-for-smartphone-c4258efd6e43
General features
High computing power: CPU, GPU
Large storage/memory
Touch screen

Integrated peripherals
Speaker, mic, camera, light, projector (Motorola Droid)

Integrated connectivity
WiFi, Bluetooth, USB, etc.

Integrated sensors
Motion, environment, position, location
Long lasting battery
Evolution of phones
https://www.tigermobiles.com/evolution
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Smartphones will be responsible for
48% of all fixed and mobile traffic by
2021
https://blogs.cisco.com/sp/top-5-
surprises-from-the-2017-mobile-vni-study
Device Manufacturers
Apple
A proprietary platform with its own device, OS, and app frameworks
Android
An open platform with a family of device manufacturers
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More data source:
http://www.appbrain.com/stats/top-manufacturers
Worldwide Smartphone Market, Top 5 Company, Q2 2018 (shipments in millions)
Vendor
2Q18
Shipments
2Q18 Market
Share
2Q17
Shipments
2Q17 Market
Share
Year-Over-
Year Change
1. Samsung
71.5
20.9%
79.8
22.9%
-10.4%
2. Huawei
54.2
15.8%
38.5
11.0%
40.9%
3. Apple
41.3
12.1%
41.0
11.8%
0.7%
4. Xiaomi
31.9
9.3%
21.4
6.2%
48.8%
5. OPPO
29.4
8.6%
28.0
8.0%
5.1%
Others
113.7
33.2%
139.5
40.1%
-18.5%
Total
342.0
100.0%
348.2
100.0%
-1.8%
Source: IDC Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, July 31, 2018
https://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prUS44188018
(Smart) Hardware Components
Core
Motherboard, SoC, CPU, GPU, memory, storage

I/O
Display, touchscreen
Connector: SIM, USB, SD card, etc.
Physical key/button: switch, volume
Communication
Network/communication transmitter/receiver
Radio, WiFi, Bluetooth

Integrated peripherals
Speaker, mic, camera, light
Sensors, GPS
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Mobile OS
Operating System (OS) is a base infrastructure software component of
a computing system. It controls all basic operations of the device and
support higher level applications.
A mobile operating system, or mobile OS, is an operating system that is
specifically designed to run on mobile devices.
A mobile OS runs on limited resources (computing power and storage)
emphasizing communication.
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/M/mobile_operating_system.html
Note:
OS was once tightly coupled with the hardware devices; but they had
become a separate layer as devices became smart.
While some computers such as typical laptops are 'mobile', the operating
systems usually used on them are not considered mobile ones, as they
were originally designed for desktop computers that historically did not have
or need specific mobile features.
Some mobile devices can run desktop OS. This distinction is becoming
blurred in some newer operating systems that are hybrids made for both
uses.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_operating_system
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Mobile OS Market Share
Multiple sources show
Android and iOS are
the dominant mobile
OS currently
Android is consistently
above 80% world wide
In US iOS is slightly
more than Android
http://gs.statcounter.co
m/os-market-
share/mobile/united-
states-of-
america#monthly-
201707-201807
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For more data sources:

https://www.netmarketshare.com/operating-system-market-share.aspx?id=platformsMobile

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usage_share_of_operating_systems#Mobile_devices

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_operating_system#Market_share
http://www.businessinsider.com/smartphone-market-
share-android-ios-windows-blackberry-2016-8
Applications and Services
Applications, or mobile apps, are user facing
functional software used on mobile devices
Services are delivered through apps
Growing types of applications that are
integrated into the device
Functional apps: financial, payment,
socialization
Device integrated apps: GPS
Gaming
Communication
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App Store
An app store (or app marketplace) is a type
of digital distribution platform for computer
software, often in a mobile context.
Much like the online store, but the products are the
apps
Major ones
Google Play
Apple App Store
Other notables
Amazon Appstore
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mobile_software
_distribution_platforms
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App Development Platform
Platform
A platform defines and supports all major app features and activities
Usually includes hardware and operating systems
Sometimes also includes application development and management
frameworks
Major mobile platforms: Android, Apple (iOS), Windows (mainly
laptops)
Development tools and frameworks. These include:
Programming language
SDK (run time, compilers, etc.)
Code editor or IDE
App frameworks
Libraries and services
App distribution/update methods
App store: including official app store and third party app store
Direct internet access or download
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App Development Choices
Platform native app
These apps can only run on its target platform. The
development tools and frameworks for each
platform is different and no compatible.
Major development platforms: Android, Apple iOS,
Windows
Cross platform
Cross platform apps can run on multiple platforms
using one set of development tools and frameworks.
Further categorized as
Cross platform native app
Hybrid web app
Web app (app like website) or mobile friendly website
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Mobile App Development Options
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https://developer.salesforce.com/page/Native,_HTML5,_or_Hybrid:
_Understanding_Your_Mobile_Application_Development_Options
A program designed to
run directly on a specific
mobile operating system.
A web based application that
runs in any web browser
especially that designed for
mobile devices.
Applications
developed using
Web development
technologies and
wrapped in a mobile
app container
* New to the
diagram: cross-
platform native
app (Xamarin)
* New to the
diagram: app
like web site
https://developer.salesforce.com/page/Native,_HTML5,_or_Hybrid:_Understanding_Your_Mobile_Application_Development_Options
http://www.telerik.com/blogs/everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-native-hybrid-and-web-apps-but-were-afraid-to-ask
http://www.sitepoint.com/native-hybrid-or-web-apps/
http://www.ymedialabs.com/hybrid-vs-native-mobile-apps-the-answer-is-clear/
Comparison of the Three Development Options
Native Apps
Mobile Web
Hybrid
Device
features
Can fully utilize platform/OS
features if allowed, such as
camera, location, sensors,
and interactions with file
systems and other apps.
Access to devices features
are limited to the browser
environment.
Can utilize platform/OS
features if provided by the
SDK, which are usually
provided as JavaScript
APIs.
UX/UI
Best; smooth interaction as
UI is very responsive.
Not as good as native app;
may have delays.
Looks like an app, but may
have performance issues.
Development
Platform
Applications are platform
dependent. They have to be
written and/or compiled to a
specific OS*. Example:
- Andriod (Java) ( Android )
- iOS (Objective C, Swift)
- Windows (.Net, C#)
- * Xamarin (all)
Web applications are cross
platform and can use standard
languages such as
HTML/CSS/JavaScript.
Programs runs in browsers,
although they may have
slightly differences in different
browsers.
Hybrid applications are
developed using standard
web technologies, but
complied to each specific
platform.
Distribution /
Installation
App Store, or direct
downloaded; need
installation
Web; no installation
App Store, or direct
downloaded; need
installation
Cross-Platform Native App
This solution uses a common development environment for all platforms, but
wraps (compiles) them to a target platform.
Wrapping all native OS libraries
Similar to hybrid, but the apps are native apps, not relying on browser engines.
Example development framework
Xamarin: Using C# and .Net for development
https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/vs/features/mobile-app-development/
React Native https://facebook.github.io/react-native/
https://www.altexsoft.com/blog/engineering/xamarin-vs-react-native-vs-ionic-cross-
platform-mobile-frameworks-comparison/

Is Xamarin hybrid?
The short answer is no.
https://www.quora.com/Is-Xamarin-hybrid-development
http://www.cygnet-infotech.com/blog/phonegap-or-titanium-or-xamarin-which-cross-
platform-should-you-choose
Others
http://www.appcelerator.com
http://monocross.net
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Application Framework
The main aim of frameworks is to increase
productivity by reducing efforts which eventually saves lot of
time for developers to resolve any other important issues in the
app or game. These frameworks provides inbuilt tools for
developers to work instantly on difficult and lengthy part of
coding.
Vendor frameworks
Android SDK
Cocoa Touch
Major third party frameworks
Ionic

jQuery mobile: http://jquerymobile.com
Sencha Touch
Titanium Appcelerator
Framework7
More: http://mobile-frameworks-comparison-chart.com/
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Services and Service Providers
Mobile backend as a service (MBaaS), also known
as "backend as a service" (BaaS) is a model for
providing web app and mobile app developers with a
way to link their applications to backend cloud
storage and APIs exposed by back end applications
while also providing features such as user
management, push notifications, and integration
with social networking services.
Top providers
Kinvey
Sencha
Parse
Azure https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/app-
service-mobile/
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Mobile User Experience
User experience
a person's perceptions and responses that result from the use or anticipated use of a product, system or
service
encompasses all aspects of the end-user's interaction with the company, its services, and its products.
Mobile user experience
User experience toward mobile devices
Use of mobile devices and wearables, and applications or services running on such devices.
Key differences
Portable
Screen
Screen size is generally smaller http://www.statista.com/chart/2269/smartphone-shipments-by-screen-size/
Screen resolution is lower and density is higher http://developer.android.com/about/dashboards/index.html
Fragmented market: properties vary a lot among devices
Orientation: vertical screens accounts for 29% of usage

Interaction method: touch is different form pointing device

https://www.nngroup.com/articles/mouse-vs-fingers-input-device/
Connection and speed
Mobile device connection is less stable, inconsistent, and slower
Variable connectivity
Device capability
Mobile devices have much more functionality integrated: cam, mic, sensors, GPS, etc.
Computing limited
https://www.nngroup.com/articles/mobile-ux/
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Good Resources
Community resources
http://www.ctia.org
https://mobileecosystemfor
um.com
https://research.google.co
m/pubs/MobileSystems.ht
ml
https://www.hindawi.com/j
ournals/misy/

Influencers
http://www.slideshare.net/
fling
http://ben-evans.com
News
http://www.ubergizmo.co
m/topic/cellphones/
http://www.ubergizmo.co
m/topic/tablets/
http://mobileecosystemfor
um.com/mef-minute/
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Data, Stats, and Reports
Organizational reports
Cisco Visual Networking Index http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/service-
provider/visual-networking-index-vni/index.html
KPCB Internet Trends http://www.kpcb.com/internet-trends
https://www.fcc.gov/reports-research
https://www.ctia.org/the-wireless-industry/infographics-library
General stats
http://www.netmarketshare.com
http://gs.statcounter.com
http://marketshare.hitslink.com
Browser: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usage_share_of_web_browsers
Other Reports
http://mobiforge.com
http://www.visionmobile.com/reports/
http://www.pewinternet.org
http://www.appcelerator.com/enterprise/resource-center/research/
https://www.slideshare.net/comScoremarcom/presentations
Android devices: http://developer.android.com/about/dashboards/index.html
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KSU Courses
The BSIT "Mobile and Web" elective track
This program is rated #3 in The 10 Best Online
Mobile App Development Degrees
https://www.bestvalueschools.com/cheap/online/
mobile-computing-degrees-bachelors/
CSE 3203 Mobile System Overview
IT 4213 Mobile Web Development
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