Where's That Software Anyway?

July 9, 2009
Software is usually contained within an electronic device. But if it wasn't, would the device still function? That is the premise of a new study by market research firm ABI Research, that mobile devices will eventually rely on software found elsewhere in ...

Software is usually contained within an electronic device. But if it wasn't, would the device still function? That is the premise of a new study by market research firm ABI Research, that mobile devices will eventually rely on software found elsewhere in the network, gaining access to software commands by wireless connection. This wireless network approach would eliminate the need for different versions of software tools for each operating system.

The study, "Mobile Cloud Computing," projects that this use of "cloud computing" by remote access to system software could dramatically change the mobile application model by 2014, and deliver almost $20 billion in annual revenue by that time. According to the firm's Senior Analyst Mark Beccue, "Using Web development, applications can run on servers instead of locally, so handset requirements can be greatly reduced and developers can create just one version of an application. This trend is in its infancy today, but ABI Research believes that eventually it will become the prevailing model for mobile applications."

About the Author

Jack Browne | Technical Contributor

Jack Browne, Technical Contributor, has worked in technical publishing for over 30 years. He managed the content and production of three technical journals while at the American Institute of Physics, including Medical Physics and the Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology. He has been a Publisher and Editor for Penton Media, started the firm’s Wireless Symposium & Exhibition trade show in 1993, and currently serves as Technical Contributor for that company's Microwaves & RF magazine. Browne, who holds a BS in Mathematics from City College of New York and BA degrees in English and Philosophy from Fordham University, is a member of the IEEE.

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