What is mobile technology and what are the benefits?

Mobile technology is exactly what the name implies - technology that is portable. Examples of mobile IT devices include:.

• laptop and netbook computers
• palmtop computers or personal digital assistants
• mobile phones and 'smart phones'
• global positioning system (GPS) devices
• wireless debit/credit card payment terminals

Mobile devices can be enabled to use a variety of communications technologies such as:

• wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) - a type of wireless local area network technology
• Bluetooth - connects mobile devices wirelessly
• 'third generation' (3G), global system for mobile communications (GSM) and general packet radio service (GPRS) data services - data networking services for mobile phones
• dial-up services - data networking services using modems and telephone lines
• virtual private networks - secure access to a private network

It is therefore possible to network the mobile device to a home office or the internet while travelling