Phone Functions Research Articles

Potential Roles of Mhealth for Community Health Workers: Formative Research With End Users in Uganda and Mozambique.

BackgroundCommunity health workers are reemerging as an essential component of health systems in low-income countries. However, there are concerns that unless they are adequately supported, their motivation and performance will be suboptimal. mHealth presents an opportunity to improve support for community health workers; however, most interventions to date have been designed through a top-down approach, rarely involve the end user, and have not focused on motivation.ObjectiveTo use formative research to explore the views of community health workers in Uganda and Mozambique on the potential role of mHealth in their work delivering integrated community case management of children.MethodsWe conducted 24 in-depth interviews and 5 focus group discussions with community health workers in Uganda and Mozambique. Data were collected on: current phone use, preferred phone and charger characteristics, and perceptions of a range of potential mHealth interventions. Interviews were conducted in the local language, were audio recorded and converted into expanded notes. Interviews were coded for key thematic areas using both deductive and inductive codes. Deductive codes included mHealth’s potential impact on motivation and performance.ResultsThe most salient roles of mHealth in improving performance and motivation were reducing the need for travel, improving efficiency and planning, receiving feedback and information, and improving communication with supervisors and other community health workers. This was mostly through improved voice and short message service (SMS) text communication. Specific components of mHealth interventions that participants felt could improve motivation included increasing their visibility and credibility through branding of phones; providing an SMS response to data submission; and sending SMS messages about the importance of their work and achievements, rather than just reminders or technical messages. Participants identified feasibility issues related to the language of SMS messages, network coverage, and the need for a balance between phone function and battery life. Phones with a dual SIM cards would ameliorate network problems but would reduce battery life. The provision of a solar charger was viewed as beneficial.ConclusionsConducting formative research with end users is likely to improve mHealth interventions by: (1) identifying interventions that are likely to have the greatest impact and be the most acceptable, (2) developing salient SMS messages, and (3) identifying feasibility issues. mHealth interventions also could have an important impact on health worker motivation, which should be considered by intervention developers and in evaluations, especially as small modifications could have a significant impact. Our study suggests that using phones to improve direct communication should be considered, even when planners aim to focus on the provision of a specific application.

Study of the Dynamic Image Stabilizer

Most anti-shake technologies can compensate the hand shake when taking a static picture. When people use the camera in the dim environment, the shutter opening time will be extended to increase exposure. However, the hand shake will cause the photos blurry if the shutter opening time was too long. The hand shake problem is even more serious when people doing the dynamic image recording. In the past years, the mobile phones with the digital camera and portable video camera were developed vigorously. Taking pictures and recording dynamic image have become the basic functions of mobile phones since the development of the 3G mobile phone. While the specifications of cameras become high resolution and high magnification optical zoom, the traditional electronic anti-shake technology will not be applied in the digital camera because of the large amount of computing power. It is also difficult to apply the optical anti-shake technology in thin 3C products because the volume of optical anti-shake module is too large. Thus, developing a new anti-shake technology which can be applied in the thin 3C products to enhance the photo and video quality is very important. In this paper, the image processing technologies will be applied to calculate the motion signal. Then, the voluntary and involuntary motion signals will be separated by the signal separation algorithm, and finally the dynamic image will be reconstruction by compensating the involuntary shake of each frame to enhance the quality of the dynamic image.

The impact of cell phone use on the intensity and liking of a bout of treadmill exercise.

This study used a within-subjects design to assess the effect of three common cellular telephone (cell phone) functions (texting, talking, listening to music) on planned exercise. Forty-four young adults (n = 33 females, 21.8 ± 1.3 years) each participated in four, separate, 30-minute exercise conditions on a treadmill in a random order. During each condition, the treadmill speed display was covered and grade was fixed at zero. However, participants were able to alter treadmill speed as desired. Throughout the texting and talking conditions, research personnel used a pre-determined script to simulate cell phone conversations. During the music condition, participants used their cell phone to listen to music of their choice. Finally, participants completed a control condition with no cell phone access. For each condition, average treadmill speed, heart rate and liking (via visual analog scale) were assessed. Treadmill speed (3.4 ± 1.3 miles∙hour-1), heart rate (122.3 ± 24.3 beats∙min-1) and liking (7.5 ± 1.5 cm) in the music condition were significantly (p ≤ 0.014) greater than all other conditions. Treadmill speed in the control condition (3.1 ± 1.2 miles∙hour-1) was significantly (p = 0.04) greater than both texting and talking (2.8 ± 1.1 miles∙hour-1 each). Heart rate during the control condition (115.4 ± 22.8 beats∙min-1) was significantly (p = 0.04) greater than texting (109.9 ± 16.4 beats∙min-1) but not talking (112.6 ± 16.1 beats∙min-1). Finally, liking during the talking condition (5.4 ± 2.2 cm) was greater (p = 0.05) than the control (4.3 ± 2.2 cm) but not the texting (5.1 ± 2.2 cm) conditions. In conclusion, using a cell phone for listening to music can increase the intensity (speed and heart rate) and liking of a bout of treadmill exercise. However, other common cell phone uses (texting and talking) can interfere with treadmill exercise and reduce intensity.

Prevalence of mobile phones and factors influencing usage by caregivers of young children in daily life and for health care in rural China: a mixed methods study.

IntroductionTo capitalise on mHealth, we need to understand the use of mobile phones both in daily life and for health care.ObjectiveTo assess the prevalence and factors that influence usage of mobile phones by caregivers of young children.Materials and MethodsA mixed methods approach was used, whereby a survey (N=1854) and semi-structured interviews (N=17) were conducted concurrently. The quantitative and qualitative data obtained were compared and integrated. Participants were caregivers of young children in Zhao County, Hebei Province, China.ResultsFour main themes were found: (i) trends in mobile phone ownership; (ii) usage of mobile phone functions; (iii) factors influencing replying to text messages; and (iv) uses of mobile phones for health care. The majority of 1,854 survey participants (1,620; 87.4%) used mobile phones, but usage was much higher among mothers (1,433; 92.6%) and fathers (41; 100.0%) compared to grandparents (142; 54.6%). Parents were able to send text messages, grandparents often not. Factors influencing the decision to reply to text messages in daily life were checking the mobile phone, trusting the sender, emotion or feeling when receiving a text message, the importance of replying and ease of use of text messages. Of 1,620 survey participants who used a mobile phone, about one in four (432; 26.7%) had used it for health care in the past three months and most (1,110; 93.5%) of 1,187 who had not wished to use their phone to receive health information.ConclusionWe found that usage of mobile phones is high, several factors influencing usage and an interest of caregivers to use phones for health care in Zhao County, rural China, which can be used to inform studies in settings with similar characteristics. Future work needs to assess factors influencing mobile phone usage in-depth to optimize experiences of users for specific mHealth-based interventions.

How elders evaluate apps: A contribution to the study of smartphones and to the analysis of the usefulness and accessibility of ICTS for older adults

Elders are an important part of this society and a group for which ICTs might provide useful answers to existing problems and needs. However, elders and their interests with regard to ICTs have been largely ignored due to a presupposed missing ability to use, a general disinterest in, and a lack of will to learn about ICT developments. This article wants to contribute to the debate about elders and their abilities to use and interests in ICTs. We analysed how elders in focus groups in Spain use mobile ICT applications, how they experiment with them and why they decide to use or not to use them. In our research, we have used apps as an example for ICTs because apps are considered to be flagships for technological innovation, and because, in contrast to call and messenger functions of mobile phones, the motivation for using apps has to come from the individual that uses them. Findings from 4 focus group discussions with elders from Spain suggest that age does not directly influence the perception of, experience with, and evaluation of newest technological developments. Instead past experiences and social contexts in which the technology is introduced play a role. Our results point at the need to find new formulas for introducing, and teaching ICTs to elders, and underline the need to take elders’ emotions with regard to ICTs into consideration when evaluating elders’ ICT uses.

Mobile Phone Usage and Behavioral Science

Nakamura [3-4] studied the function and the meaning of the action of looking at a mobile phone display. According to Goffman, spaces can be considered a common ground for communicating with nonverbal signals, the majority of which are silently exchanged [2]. In the mobile phone era, texting or operating a device in spaces plays something of a nonverbal role in the resolution of difficult situations [5]. Mobile phone usage in spaces should be discussed with reference to this public role, which has spread worldwide. Above all, it should be emphasized that this function of the mobile phone is not physically installed into the device. People generate this attitude and provide meaning to it through their infinite body actions. The accelerated adoption of this practice suggests the existence of a long-standing requirement among people.

Mobile phone ownership, usage and readiness to use by patients in drug treatment

BackgroundMobile phone based interventions using text-messages and smartphone apps demonstrate promise for enhancing the treatment of substance use disorders. However, there is limited evidence on the availability of mobile phones among people in substance use treatment, as well as usage patterns, contact preferences and willingness to use phone functions such as geo-location for treatment purposes. MethodA questionnaire was completed by 398 patients enrolled in four UK community drug treatment services. The majority (74%) reported being in treatment for heroin dependence, 9% for alcohol, 4% prescription drugs, 1% amphetamines, 1% club drugs and 1% cannabis. The remaining reported a combination of different drug categories. ResultsEighty-three percent of patients reported owning a mobile phone; 57% of phones were smartphones and 72% of clients had a pay-as-you-go contract. Forty-six percent of phone owners changed their number in the previous year. Eighty-six percent were willing to be contacted by their treatment provider via mobile phone, although 46% thought the use of geo-location to be unacceptable. ConclusionMobile phones are widely available among individuals receiving community drug treatment and should be considered as a viable contact method by service providers, particularly text-messaging. However, patients may not have access to sophisticated features such as smartphone apps, and, up to date records of contact numbers must be frequently maintained. Developers need to be sensitive to issues of privacy and invasiveness around geo-location tracking and frequency of contact.

A Study on Development of OTIP System using QR Code based on Smartphone

Today, as the supply of smart phones becomes active and a variety of functions of smart phones and services based on internet is utilized, a wide range of applications are being developed and deployed. Despite the rapid growth of smart phones and the application market, the attendance book which is currently being used is still in its primitive forms. Previously developed automatic attendance or absence check system requires additional equipments such as RFID reader and fingerprint reader, with higher deployment costs and has problems of management such as mechanical failure and dishonest attendance. In this paper, an automatic attendance check system based on smart phones utilizing the QR code for recognizing the code using the built-in camera function of smart phones and accessing the information included in the recognized code in real-time basis is proposed. The proposed system, by utilizing the built-in camera function of smart phones, can reduce the initial deployment costs because it does not require additional equipments when building the system and has partially solved the problems of dishonest attendance and improved the recognition rate.

Uniformity in the midst of diversity

Purpose– The purpose of this study was twofold: firstly to determine whether there were substantive differences between the experiences of elderly mobile phone users in two very different locations; and secondly, to determine whether student researchers gained new insights into the needs of diverse users. Universities train user interface designers who need to be made aware of the diversity of users and their differing needs. Students seldom have the opportunity to observe usability difficulties first hand.Design/methodology/approach– By contrasting these countries: one developed and one developing, it was felt that differences that exist would be accentuated. Cities in Scotland and South Africa were chosen to support this comparison. These cities were particularly apt because they are very different in terms of economic development, life expectancy and literacy, but they do share a common language, attitudes towards equality and liberty and both have excellent educational institutions. Thus, students from Glasgow and Cape Town carried out an identical research project, where they had to identify, interview and teach suitable older participants a new mobile phone function. Students collected data using a predesigned questionnaire and wrote a report on their findings, which were analysed quantitatively and qualitatively.Findings– It was found that the student researchers did indeed gain a new perspective and, rather surprisingly, that the participants in the two countries did not differ very much in their experiences of, and difficulties with, using mobile phones.Originality/value– The comparison of mobile phone usage by the elderly in a developed and developing country was studied. The impact of this situated learning experience contributes to new knowledge.

International Research Journal of Geology and Mining

Participatory mapping is a critical process for land management, particularly in the development of a participatory planning process. This project utilized a global digital device in order to accelerate data gathering and time-based monitoring for the process of participatory mapping in the district of Kapuas Hulu, West Kalimantan province, Indonesia. Data collection utilized simple technology, using a combination of functions of cellular phones, GPS, digital imaging, and internet technology. This data was then analyzed and verified using remote sensing and geographic information system technology

DETERMINING DIGITAL MATURITY AMONG ICT USERS IN MALAYSIA

With the fast development in ICT, the need for digital maturity becomes increasingly important. Measuring ICT maturity has always been on the infrastructural, applications, and ICT Policy. Taking a different orientation, the present study views ICT maturity of the individual users vis a vis the ICT tools as a solid foundation for successful digital maturity in a digital economy. This paper aims at determining the level of digital maturity among ICT-Mobile Phone (smart phone and internet) users by looking at the intensity of usage of smart phone applications (apps) and functions and the level of indispensability of internet and its related characteristics and functions. A nationwide survey was conducted among 2124 respondents based on the population ratio of the main ethnic groups in Malaysia. Data were analysed using SPPS 20.0 and both descriptive and inferential analysis are applied to analyse the data. The results revealed that the smart phone functions, facilities, and apps which are mostly used include social media (Facebook/ Twitter), instant messaging (WhatsApp/Viber/Skype), Wi-Fi, downloading apps from ‘Play Store’ or ‘App Store’ and camera. The findings also indicated that a fast internet service, availability of internet at anytime and anywhere and the access to internet content without limit are the most indispensable characteristics and functions of internet for the users. The results implied that the respondents are above average in digital maturity in terms of intensity of usage of ICT-Mobile Phone functions, facilities, and apps. Meanwhile, their ICT-Mobile Phone engagement seemsto be high in digital maturity for the indispensable characteristics and functions of internet. The findings of this study have implications on ICT system and apps providers on the needs of the users. This is crucial in order to achieve digital maturity which will prepare the grounds for digital inclusion in a digital economy.

THE USE OF MOBILE PHONES BY CUSTOMERS IN RETAIL STORES: A CASE OF POLAND

ABSTRACT. Companies wishing to meet customers' needs should always take into account new technological solutions, which are increasingly used by consumers. One of these technologies, which has become increasingly advanced, is the cell phone, particularly the so-called smartphone. Mobile phones have become a useful tool for both retail stores and customers. Customers can quickly search in their cells for the price of the product offered on websites. These broad capabilities of cell phones have led to a new kind of competition for traditional stores. On the other hand retail stores can use cell phones in order to inform their customers about new promotions, events, etc. main objective of this paper is to introduce the scale and the cause of the use of cell phones by customers in traditional retailing. author has focused on cell phone utilization by customers while shopping. In the paper the survey results have been presented, which had been conducted among cell phone users in one medium-sized Polish city. research results show that cell telephony while shopping has yet to reach the same level of popularity among Polish customers, which it has attained in other countries.JEL Classification: O31, M30, M37Keywords: mobile technology, innovation, mobile telephony; consumer research; mobile advertising.(ProQuest: ... denotes formulae omitted.)IntroductionThe development of modern technology has created new opportunities for the retail sector. One of these technologies which has developed considerably is the mobile phone.In the past, mobile phones were used only for communication among people. Currently there are advanced devices for users with not only a phone function but also with other applications which allow users to access sources of information (Internet, radio, e- book), sources of entertainment (games, music), calendar, etc. Increasingly, it is also a tool for business transactions, so-called: m-commerce. popularity of mobile phones around the world, as well as their more modern functions, is a challenge for many companies in the field of customer service. A phone became a tool used in both traditional and electronic retailing. According to the report The I Factor. How consumer demand is driving retail innovation (the Economist, 2012) by 2020, trade with the use of mobile devices will be dominated either by offering a Near Field Communication and by the use of geographic positioning.Although the use of mobile phones in the shopping process is increasing, there is no research focused on this subject in Poland. only research which was undertaken covers the general aspects of using mobile phones.The main aim of the article is to answer the question: Why and to what extent do retail customers use mobile phones in traditional retailing? Do the extent of mobile phones' application depend on age and gender? Why should retail stores implement this kind of solution in the field of customer service? In order to answer the question the author decided to conduct a survey among a group of mobile phone users in one medium-sized city in Poland. survey was carried out between August and October 2012. research conducted by the author shows that the use of mobile phones by the Polish respondents in traditional retailing has not taken off to the same extent as it has in the US and Western European countries. most popular way of utilizing mobile phone in-store is a phone call to a close friend in order to obtain advice. study shows that surveyed men more often than women search the Internet by mobile phones for the features of the product while shopping. According to the research, men will be also more likely than women to utilize mobile phone in-store in the future.The paper is organized as follows. first section presents the theoretical framework of the literature review and the background of mobile phone use in retail stores. second section introduces the research methodology and survey results. …

A CTI System to Support the Seamless Workplace and Its Implementation

SUMMARYThis paper proposes a CTI client/server coordination system exclusively for use with a smart phone. The system makes use of a CTI client, performing combined functions of a SIP phone and a Web browser. The proposed CTI client/server coordination system comprises SIP servers and Web servers, both of which are installed in enterprises, and CTI clients that run on smart phones in a mobile environment. Furthermore, the CTI clients perform the function of SIP phone by communicating with SIP servers. In addition, CTI clients can display telephone directories and logging of phone calls stored in Web servers. They can display screens of ordinary Web browsers. Here, one might switch between a SIP phone function and a Web communication screen with merely a single touch of the tab key. Consequently, smart phones in the mobile environment make it possible to conduct telephone meetings while browsing with a Web screen.

Puzzle: A mobile application development environment using a jigsaw metaphor

ObjectiveCreate a visual mobile end user development framework, named Puzzle, which allows end users without IT background to create, modify and execute applications, and provides support for interaction with smart things, phone functions and web services. MethodsDesign of an intuitive visual metaphor and associated interaction techniques for supporting end user development in mobile devices with iterative empirical validation. ResultsOur results show that the jigsaw is an intuitive metaphor for development in a mobile environment and our interaction techniques required a limited cognitive effort to use and learn the framework. Integration of different modalities and usage of smart things was relevant for users. ConclusionPuzzle has addressed the main objective. The framework further contributes to the research on mobile end user development in order to create an incentive for users to go beyond consuming content and applications to start creating their own applications. PracticeUsage of a mobile end user development environment has the potential to create a shift from the conventional few-to-many distribution model of software to a many-to-many distribution model. Users will be able to create applications that fit their requirements and share their achievements with peers. ImplicationsThis study has indicated that the Puzzle visual environment has the potential to enable users to easily create applications and stimulate exploration of innovative scenarios through smartphones.

5 Pen PC : Battle between functionality and portability

5 pen PC technology is a new emerging technology that is under developing stage by NEC corporation. It is a pen style personal networking gadget package (PISM) that has 5 pens, each pen having different function. All these pens are connected with each other through short range wireless technology and the whole set is connected to internet through cellular phone function. These small loosely bounded pens are connected to each other through Bluetooth technology and to communicate with the outside world they are connected to Wifi. The main purpose behind developing PISM is to develop a gadget that is as small as mobiles and as effective as desktops i.e to develop a gadget that people can carry with them anywhere and also getting all the features of desktops and laptops with the same ease. In this paper firstly we will review the PISM technology and then we will compare PISM with desktops, laptops, tablets and smart phones. We will discuss how PISM is better than other technologies. Also we will discuss various problems, issues with PISM and will identify unanswered questions and issues related to this technology. Finally we will discuss the future scope of 5 Pen PC. Then we will conclude that whether PISM is really a replacement to all these gadgets or is just another addition to world of gadgets and also that whether its advantages outweigh its disadvantages or not? We will discuss that do this technology actually solves the purpose behind its development. We will discuss whether it will resolve the battle between functionality and portability. Keywords: Virtual, Mobile Computing, Portability, Effectiveness, Bluetooth, Wifi, Cellular Phone Technology

A cross-national study of cultural values and contextual norms of mobile phone activity

The mobile phone is no longer just a medium of talk. Utilized more for text messaging than calling, mobile devices – with the ascendance of smart phones – are now used for a multiplicity of digital purposes in myriad social contexts. Limited research has been conducted cross-nationally on contextual norms that guide the social uses of mobiles and sociocultural factors that drive these norms. This exploratory study examines the impact of cultural values on mobile phone activity, defined as calling, text messaging or use of other smart phone functions when conversing face-to-face with others. It was found that vertical and horizontal individualism are strong predictors of mobile phone activity in Denmark and the USA. Horizontal individualists, represented by Danes, are significantly more likely than Americans, vertical individualists, to engage in mobile activity when conversing with authority figures and while at work. A cultural values explanation of mobile phone activity is offered along with the salience of this investigation for intercultural new media studies.

Same Issues, New Devices: Is Smartphone App Privacy Groundhog Day for Regulators?

In this article we explore how self-regulation by the advertising industry has failed to address the exploitation of users’ personal information for targeted advertising through the use of smartphone application (app) permissions. Currently smartphone apps are posing a privacy risk of which users are largely unaware. Personal information can be accessed when app permissions make requests to use phone functions that are unnecessary for the operation of the app. These can include access to users’ contact lists, emails and calendars and are sought by advertising networks, rather than the app developer. They can then surreptitiously gather personal user data to serve targeted advertising, but also to sell to other advertising networks and online businesses. Recent market research emphasising consumer trust and loyalty as a key asset for online businesses provides an opportunity for a change in the regulation of the advertising industry. We argue that the lack of transparency and self-regulatory enforcement demonstrated by app permission exploitation shows the potential for continued circumvention of privacy regulation by an industry with expertise in technological development and driven by profit. We therefore argue in favour of the introduction of co-regulation to provide the monitoring and enforcement powers that are clearly lacking in a continued reliance on self-regulation.

Pola Komunikasi Mahasiswa dalam Penggunaan Smartphone (Studi pada Mahasiswa Marketing Communication Fek Binus University)

This research aimed to identify and know the pattern of smartphone usage among university students and pattern of communication they are doing with the smartphone. Quantitative research was used in this study, with descriptive design. Survey was conducted as data collecting method by distributing questionnaires to students of Marketing Communication (Marcomm) department, Faculty of Economic and Communication (FEK), Binus University. As a result, there were 134 questionnaires that can be proceed for data analysis. Sampling technique used in the research was simple random sampling. Since the research used descriptive design, thus the data analysis technique was descriptive statistics. The research is only limited to study the pattern of smartphone usage and pattern of communication among students of Marcomm department, FEK, Binus University, with their smartphone. Given the fact that smartphone has changed people’s behavior in communicating with others, it can be useful for example in developing appealing learning plan in education field, especially for youth. The function of mobile phone has undergone a rapid change with the existence of smartphone. With smartphone, one cannot only perform the traditional types of communication (phone or sms), but also go beyond that. This is due to the features provided by the smartphone which indeed accommodate the person’s needs to communicate each other more than just phone calls. Additionally, with the presence of Internet which has made the smartphone becoming inseparable with human’s life, since it integrates all medium and activities of communication into a single gadget. Smartphone has been proved to change the people’s habit in communicating each other and caused people’s dependency on the presence of this medium.

Developing Safety Management Systems for Track Workers Using Smart Phone GPS

When performing railroad maintenance work on the railroad, the train watchmen give information of train access to railroad maintenance workers by radio through hand-signals and/or a radio. These existing methods have the possibility of making errors of information delivery due to weather situation, work structures or obstacles, and because railroad maintenance workers usually concentrate on their work, many chances are that they would not recognize the access of trains. In order to reduce the risk of railway traffic accidents of death and injury for track workers, this paper has developed a system that notifies track workers of train approaching information by combining the GPS location providing function of the smart phone and a notification system. The developed system does not need the construction of an independent wireless communication system, and is designed to notify track workers of train approaching information by using a simple Bluetooth module and safety jackets. Also, the system establishes a simple communication possible by using the bluetooth equipped in the smart phone between the alarm system and smart phones. If the proposed system is in use, it is expected that it can contribute to the prevention and reduction of railroad accidents of railroad maintenance workers by preventing accidents of railroad maintenance workers and securing their safety.

Nokia and strategic agility

The high-tech industry is the competitive strength as well as major profit source for countries in the world. However, these companies face a lot of uncertainties including market demands, technology progress and new competitors that bring new strategies and technology into the market. Because of self-owned operating system, Nokia is facing patent issues with Apple and the increasing number of competitors. Nokia faces challenges in creating comparative advantages in the smart phone industry. Therefore, it is a crucial issue to formulate strategies to maintain its survival and growth. Technology develops rapidly. Cell phones are one of most important invention for human beings. The popularization of cell phone makes people communicate with each other conveniently. With the development of technology, the functions of cell phone changed from black-and –white interface to color interface; the camera in it makes it to increase the more. It also connects with network. Nowadays, cell phones have become one of the indispensable electronic devices for people in daily life. Key words: Multimedia messaging service (MMS), mobile internet, mobile phones, Nokia, short message services (SMS).