M-commerce, or mobile e-commerce,
allows you to use wireless devices such as cell phones or PDAs to
buy and sell products and services. And Web-enabled cell phones and
PDAs are becoming more common. By the year 2006, cell phones will
outnumber fixed line phones. In many countries, such as Mexico,
cell phones already outnumber the fixed line phones. With m-commerce you have "just-in-time" purchasing convenience.
You might not think about buying a movie ticket when you are
sitting at your computer. However, you’re more willing to see
a movie if your wireless device flashes the movie schedule as you
walk by the theater. Better yet, with m-commerce you can purchase a
ticket with the click of a button and pick up some popcorn on the
way to your seat. Although wireless device use has increased in recent years, most
experts agree that m-commerce hasn’t grown as quickly as they
expected. Still, m-commerce has great promise. In order for
m-commerce to grow, two areas need further development: devices and
connections. Let’s briefly look at each. Devices Until recently, most people have had both a cell phone and a PDA
to meet their communication and information needs. The cell phone
was used to make calls and get voice mail. The PDA kept
appointments, contacts, and stored e-mail. If you wanted to surf
the Web and make purchases, you needed to connect a cable between
the PDA and cell phone. This approach was the same as connecting to
the Internet with a computer modem. While some don’t mind using two devices, most users want
one device that can do it all. Companies have begun to make
wireless devices that can meet this need. However, there are
challenges. For example, how big of a device are you willing to
carry around in exchange for a larger screen? How do you want to
interact with the device? Does a keypad like a cell phone work
better than writing on a screen like a PDA? Companies have responded to these challenges in different ways.
PDA companies are incorporating cell phones into PDAs and cell
phone companies are incorporating PDAs into cell phones. Some
companies have been able to accomplish this difficult task. Here
are a few of the more successful devices: - AllNetDevices: A
comprehensive list of devices suitable for m-commerce.
- HandSpring
Treo: An all-in-one PDA and cell phone device running on the
Palm Operating System. A color screen is due out in late 2002.
- Kyocera
Smart Phone: A phone with a PDA screen.
- Motorola Accompli
009: A cell phone/PDA combination that offers a color screen
and keyboard for surfing the Web and an ear bud for making
calls.
- Palm i705:
An always-on PDA that can continually check for e-mail and
messages. The Palm i705 also offers secure connections and over 600
Web sites designed for the device. You can also look at other Web
pages as well.
Ultimately, you won’t replace your computer with a wireless
device. It’s difficult to write a research paper or create
spreadsheets on a PDA or cell phone. But if you can find a device
that keeps you connected to the Internet and ready to purchase
items at a moment’s notice, you’re closer to becoming an
m-commerce consumer. Connections After looking at some of the wireless devices listed above,
it’s easy to see that newer wireless devices are offering you
more options. However, it’s still difficult to view and
interact with m-commerce sites at fast enough speeds and exchange
sensitive information with a secure connection. You know how frustrating it can be to wait for Web pages to
download as you surf the Web. Now imagine that you’re waiting
for a Web page with directions to download as you drive down the
highway wondering which exit to take. You need a Web page and you
need it fast. Did you know that it’s easy for someone to listen to many
of your cell phones calls? You might not mind someone eavesdropping
as you tell your friend what you did last night. But you probably
don’t want someone capturing credit card information or
passwords as you access and buy items from a Web site. Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) Wireless devices can address access speed and security to some
extent, but the way they connect and view information is crucial.
Many wireless devices use WAP. With a WAP Web browser you can
access Web sites with your wireless device without losing Web
content and design. You can also send information securely. None of
this is possible unless the Web sites are written for WAP devices
and use WAP servers. WAP uses XHTML (visit Life-Long Learning Module A to learn
more about XHTML) and other scripting languages to deliver
information. WAP servers interact with WAP Web browsers to complete
the information exchange. To learn more about WAP, visit these Web
sites: - WAP Forum: A Web
resource designed for WAP developers.
- WAP Shareware:
Download and try many WAP applications and development tools.
(There are even some games here.)
- WAP
Tutorial: Want to learn how to write WAP applications?
Here’s a good place to start.
- Wireless in a
Nutshell: A comprehensive site about wireless technology. Not
only is WAP covered here but also technologies such as
Bluetooth.
The entire process between your wireless device and the Web site
still needs fast connection speeds. Your wireless device can
operate on an analog (first generation), digital PCS (second
generation), or maybe a 3G (third generation) connection. Most cell
phones operate on the first two generations of wireless
connections. In order for m-commerce to be successful, wireless
devices need the speed and security of 3G wireless connections. Unfortunately, most experts agree that widespread 3G
connectivity in the United States is a few years down the road. To
learn more about wireless connections visit our page on Wireless Standards. In any case,
m-commerce can take place over slower speeds. Simply expect to wait
longer for transactions between your wireless device and a Web
site. Bluetooth You should know that m-commerce doesn’t always mean you
need to purchase products or services via a Web site. M-commerce
also means being able to walk up to a soda machine, point your
wireless device at it, and have a soda deducted from an account. No
more fumbling for change or looking for a crisp dollar bill to run
through the machine reader. Bluetooth technology is delivering on this m-commerce promise.
With bluetooth-enabled devices you can talk to other
bluetooth-enabled devices. Maybe you want to print off a Web site
on your wireless device, transfer a file to your computer, or
purchase that movie ticket and pay for popcorn without reaching
into your billfold. Bluetooth will make this aspect of m-commerce
possible: Staying Current M-commerce is definitely an "up-and-coming" technology.
Companies announce new products and services on an almost a daily
basis. To remain current on m-commerce, we recommend you visit
these Web sites regularly: - CNet Wireless: A
complete wireless resource center and news Web site.
- Internet
World (UK Edition): M-commerce news from the United Kingdom.
Europe is at least two years ahead of the United States when it
comes to m-commerce.
- M-Commerce Times:
This Web site offers a multitude of recent articles and news on
m-commerce.
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2002 McGraw-Hill Higher Education