14.2 Networks and Devices

While we have discussed a lot about the networks themselves , which are evolving to support packet data services, it is important to look at the impacts on the devices of the future that will utilize these networks and their capabilities. Within the scope of second-generation networks, the mobile phone has been the predominant device of choice for consumers. Mobile phones have been evolving to support data services via applications such as SMS. However, this is expected to change in the future.

Multipurpose devices that include PDA functionality and support traditional voice services are now becoming available. In addition, capability to transmit still images to other compatible devices is set to take off. These devices, with capability to support graphics with high resolution, color screens, and ability to record images, are begining to utilize packet data networks. Again Japan has been at the forefront of experimenting and deploying such devices. Device manufacturers such as Nokia, Sony, Motorola, Ericsson, Samsung, Handspring, Psion, and Panasonic currently have products on the market with such features. Figure 14-1 shows a picture of some of these devices.

Figure 14-1. Devices with cameras , color screens, PDA functionality.

Wireless networks that these devices can access are also evolving. Wireless LANs based on 802.11 standards are becoming more widespread. Bluetooth is increasingly being incorporated into the devices. Hence we can expect to see a wide variety of networks whose scope spans from personal area networks (PANs) based on Bluetooth to local area networks (LANs) via 802.11 and wide area networks (WANs) supported by WCDMA, cdma2000, and GPRS/EDGE. The number of devices that are not only multi- band but also multi-radio will slowly increase in the future as the costs associated with building such devices keeps going down.