Mobile Applications and Technologies

The paper defines what the Mobile Technology is, how the traditional library services are now moving to mobile library information services.

A library may reach the remote users effectively by adopting of mobile technology in its services.

Now users expecting, or preferring, to do things online that would previously have required a visit to the library in person.

Mobile technology is a wireless technology that work with radio waves and can be carried about and used anywhere.

The wireless technology and mobile phones are becoming an integral part of everyday life and are changing the way one connects and interacts with the world.

Mobile phones have operating systems to run applications, access the internet, allow downloads, support multiple e-mail accounts, create and edit documents, create playlists and even provide location/direction via GPS. Mobile phones capable of accessing the internet to current day ‘super phones’ with capabilities equivalent to minicomputers and laptops.

Telecommunication technology is developing at such a rapid speed with wireless communication standards and capabilities evolving rapidly across the spectrum.

The first generation 1-G standard for voice was developed in 1979.

This was followed by the second generation 2G standard using global system for mobile communications in 1992.

The most recent standard that followed is called 3^rd Generation 3G. 3rd Generation networks are fully operated in many countries across the world.

We consider mobile technologies; the first device that comes to mind has to be the cell phone or the smart phone Library mobile services included access to new titles, e-resources updates, catalogue searching, booking rooms and PCs, contacts, events and databases optimized for mobile use, enables users to search for library materials, see the cover image, read a summary, obtain item availability information, find out which bookshelf the item is on using floor maps, provide feedback on the item and save the item information for future reference.

The Library's opening hours, news, floor plans and subject guides are also easily accessible on mobile phones. SMS service libraries became more interested in using this service when it became possible to send SMS to an email service.

This service expected by library users, their SMS reference service was predominantly managed by the library with little or no involvement from their IT department. The use of iPods, iPhones, Tablets, Tablets Pc and MP3 players to provide an audio tour.

In academic libraries, the commonly demanded services on mobile devices include: catalogue searching, SMS/text a librarian, locating spaces, booking computers and rooms, location based services, payments, mobile emails, instant messaging and videos. Mobile devices are fast becoming users’ first choice of access.

The libraries have been quick to concentrate library services through use of mobile devices as SMS service, service lending out eBook readers, the resources to develop its own apps unique to their users, catalogue searching, providing patron account and basic library information, to allowing users to scan a book anywhere, check for availability at their home library and then put a hold on the item.

Beginning to the mobile technology in the library can want to have a mobile-based website or a mobile application ‘app’ that reads well on small screens.

These sites or apps do not need too much web design knowledge because well-designed mobile sites do not have complicated code or scripting languages and can be designed in-house.

Mobile Video

Mobile technologies have made communication and information access very convenient and timely to users from the comfort of their own homes and offices, and from wherever they are while on the move with their cellular phone.

The new ways of working afforded by mobile technologies are often characterized in terms of access to information and people anytime, anywhere.

With advancements in technology and the rise in mobile phone use, people are taking advantage of being connected to data wherever they are. Mobile phones aren’t just phones anymore: they can access e-mail, search the Web, video chat, and play games.

Even mobile devices like iPad and iPod touch can bring social media, productivity tools, and entertainment literally into the palm of your hand.

Therefore, libraries should be exploring mobile devices as a way to connect with patrons. Creating a library application app or mobile Web site that allows patrons to access library hours, view their library account or even search databases is easier than most people think.

Mobile technologies are becoming an increasingly important and popular in how we search, access, and interact with information. Libraries around the world are meeting this change head on by adapting our services and collections to the proliferation of mobile devices.

Mobile technologies being used in libraries for Library resources that are mobile access to library collections such as e-books, e-journals, and special collections, that are supporting or extending traditional library services like reference enquiries and circulation, using mobile technologies.

Mobile Phones

The mobile phones are not only a phone portal to mobile outreach.

Library and information professionals who used more traditional cell phones can consider text reference for their mobile outreach programs.

With Google Voice and library-based options such as MyInfo Quest Text a Library and information professionals can set up a text reference service that can help in handle ready reference questions or even more complicated questions quickly and easily.

E-readers

Due to the popularity of Amazon’s Kindle and Barnes & Noble’s Nook.

The latest generation takes content delivery to new levels, allowing for wireless browsing, purchasing, and delivery of content through these devices.

Electronic textbooks

E-readers and tablets have new features that allow students to highlight and add annotations to the text, just as they would with paper texts. They give students the capability to link to additional information.

LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES THROUGH MOBILE TECHNOLOGY

· A large collection of audio books both free-and subscription based services are available for download and also transferable to mobile devices.

· Ability to access information from anywhere at any time will be of great help for users who cannot visit library in person and provides a constant link to required information resources.

Academic libraries can support distance learning, formal education, and research activities through mobile devices

· Mobile communication enables libraries to offer location-based services/content through global positioning system (GPS) capabilities.

· Libraries can guide the users to the location of specific document or service through maps and navigational tools

· Mobile phones make ILL/document delivery services faster and cut-down the time to request/visit different libraries and complement the geographically remote users.

· Mobile Optimized Library Webpages

· Mobile users are using the facilities on mobile phones like SMS, instant messaging, web browsing, e-mail effortlessly to communicate. Most of the features are pre-installed on mobile devices or option for data plan packages.

· Libraries can enrich OPAC by allowing users to incorporate user created content like notes or images uploaded by users.

· Limitless access all online resources accessible on their desktop also become accessible through mobiles.

· The mobile devices can further appreciate the service with instant answers like definitions, meanings and other information from digital libraries and web.

· Some publishers are already delivering e-books (both text and audio) that are accessible via mobile phones.

· Libraries can make use of multimedia messaging service (MMS) on mobile devices to share photos, videos, and audio.

· One can get today’s news on their mobiles either by accessing the web portals or SMS text messaging on their mobile phones.

· Library tours, instruction/induction/orientation programs have been quite significant in bringing the nonusers to libraries and also help the remotely located or users located in different geographical locations.

· Library users, who don’t have time or inclination to attend an on-site workshop, can get access to library tours on their mobile devices. Online Library Catalogs on Mobile Phones.

· To provide location-based services, libraries have to use mobile telecommunication system, the internet/web-based OPAC on intranet and geographic system like GPS.

· Personalized service helps users to interact with library staff to seek specific information or reference away from library

· QR Codes on Mobiles QR code6 stands for ‘quick response’, and basically two-dimensional bar codes that can contain any alphanumeric text and often used to store urls, text, etc., known as ‘mobile tagging’.

· Users need not record information about resources while browsing and searching library resources or wait at library transaction counter to renew/reserve books and hence the time of the user is saved.

· User-friendly aid familiarity with their own devices and technology helps the users in accessing information quickly and does not require orientation and training.

LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES ON MOBILE DEVICES

Library mobile services included access to new titles, e-resources updates, catalogue searching, booking rooms and PCs, contacts, events and databases optimized for mobile use, enables users to search for library materials, see the cover image, read a summary, obtain item availability information, find out which bookshelf the item is on using floor maps, provide feedback on the item and save the item information for future reference.

This service expected by library users, their SMS reference service was predominantly managed by the library with little or no involvement from their IT department.

Benefits of Mobile Apps in Education

Learning and Innovation go hand in hand. In this Era of Innovation, a lot of things are getting evolved and so is education.

Learning is a continuous process and does not have any end no matter how much you learn or understand there are still things left that you can still explore but the only thing you require is information.

Access to any information from anywhere at any time makes the learning process convenient and easy. In these changing times, access to information is at the fingertips through mobile phones.