TOPIC 3 AUGMENTED REALITY, GAMING AND MOBILE COMPUTING Exercise 3.2

Exercise 3.2: Mobile computing research

What education value is there from online mobile games and mobile social networks?

http://wiki.media-culture.org.au/index.php/Mobile_Phones_-_Education states the following mobile games help educate young adults with their literacy and numeracy skills. Educational games come under the category of multiplayer games and provide a link to online communities. According to Bluetooth and security

"Bluetooth is a new technology that utilises radio frequency waves as a way to communicate wirelessly between digital devices. it sets up personal area networks that incorporates all personal devices into one system."

http://wiki.media-culture.org.au/index.php/Bluetooth-_Security

Bluetooth technology became into existence in 2000, it replaces cables with low power radio waves to connect electronic devices. Bluetooth also uses frequency hopping to ensure a strong link and uses peer-to-peer network. Uses can use either point-to-point or point-to-multipoint.

Bluetooth devices are inexpensive and use an unlicensed radio frequency, unlike infrared devices they don't need line of sight to work. Games designed to communicate with each other through bluetooth are restricted to both useers being within a limited distance to get connected, up to seven devices can be connected. Using a bluetooth phone is like having a walkie-talkie.

Imagine this across the room sits your partner roommate or family member. You turn on your phone find a game and play a game together. Why bother to do this? It's cheaper. Most mobile providers charge for internet service, but a direct phone-to-phone connection is FREE. Here's how it works according to http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/help/6aed3a37-e40e-40fa-9917-1fdfb18703c41033.mspx one player's phone is designated the "host" to play all you have to do isconnect to the host device with your device. Many games automatically "sniff" for the wireless signals to eligile players and connect automatically.

There are several threats to bluetooth devices, such as retrieving sensitive data eg phone books messages and images without alerting the user. An attacker can accesss the internet; WAP and GPRS gateways. You Tube is full of this information and how to hack bluetooth devices :(