Technology has certainly outdone itself with the introduction of mobile computing. This technology is suitable for people who are always on the go yet can’t afford to stop working even when in transit. Mobile computing allows people to access the internet and transmit data, with the use of a computer or a gadget, giving them freedom from being connected to cords and cables.

Basically, mobile computing can be summarized into: mobile voice communication and mobile data communication. Mobile voice communication is extensively used by people all over the world, allowing them to be in contact with persons in a distant location. An extension of this is the capacity to send and receive data across cellular networks, via SMS, MMS, or even email; this is referred to as mobile data communication. Mobile computing is certainly the key to one of the major problems encountered by business people who are always on the go, and that is mobility.

The importance and significance of mobile computing has been constantly stressed. However, the applications of this technology have not been mentioned as much. In light of that, an outline of the fields that can take advantage of this technology are described below:

• Real Estate Agents
  
  Estate agents are always on the move, checking out the sites and meeting with clients. Mobile computers can make them more productive, allowing them to obtain real estate information, provide immediate feedback to clients, and faster loan approvals, by simply accessing the internet through Wi-Fi or LAN. Mobile computing allows them to allocate more time to their clients.
  

• Emergency Services
  
  The ability to receive information promptly is crucial in emergency services. Important details of the patient and the incident can be dispatched quickly using CDPD (Cellular Digital Packet Data) system in mobile computers. CDPD can transmit data with the use of unused cellular channels. In this way, it offers quicker call set up and better error correction than using modems in an analog cellular channel. The dependability and security in CDPD system would be of great benefit.
  

• Taxi Dispatch
  
  Yes, you read it right, even taxi dispatching can utilize mobile computing technology. With a centrally controlled dispatcher, taxis can be given full details of a prospective customer. In turn, the taxi driver can communicate information to the central office regarding his whereabouts
  

• Stock Information, Acquisition and Control
  
  In locations where access to the stocks and supplies is restricted, the use of mobile computer plays a vital role. Information of the collated stocks and supplies can just be directly placed in a central database. This would ensure the consistency between the data input with your mobile computer and the database.
  

• Electronic Mail/Paging

The use of a mobile gadget to send and read emails is an asset for most business people. It allows them to keep track of things in their office while on a business trip, or keep in touch with a colleague or a client for any developments. Paging is also feasible, providing even more options to communication using a single mobile device.

Portable computers that can transmit and receive data can make the lives of people more productive and convenient. This can change the working lifestyle of people, allowing them to work from home with the same productivity minus the hassle of commuting to and from work. Undeniably, mobile computing technologies such as CDPD, SMS, MMS, email, Wi-Fi, and a whole lot of other functions can make the mobile computer an essential part of a working person. With a lot of functions and applications, the future of mobile computing certainly looks very bright.