Give Examples of Other Personal Computing Devices
Today, the term computer no longer refers only to desktops
used for office work system. Many of us carry computers with us everywhere we
go. In fact, mobile devices have become the primary system computing devices
for many people.
Mobile Devices
Mobile devices are portable, handheld computers used for
business and entertainment and come in many different shapes and sizes from mobile
smartphones to fitness monitors that you wear on your wrist. Some of these
devices serve specialized functions, such as GPS navigation, while others, such
as smartphones devices, are more general purpose devices.
Smartphones and Tablets
Mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets combine
features such as Internet and email access, digital cameras, GPS and mapping
tools, the ability to edit documents, and access to thousands of mobile apps.
Mobile devices are useful when carrying a regular notebook computer isn’t
practical. Once primarily the tool of business professionals, smartphones have
become indispensable to the rest of us as well. Mobile devices are the fastest
growing segment of personal computers.
Wearables and GPS
Computers worn on the body are known as wearables. These hands
free computers are used for health monitoring, communications, military
operations, and entertainment. Apple Watch is a general purpose wearable
computer (Figure 1).
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| FIGURE 1 The Apple Watch is a wearable computer. |
Originally built by the military, the Global Positioning
System or GPS, consists of 24 satellites operating at all time, plus several
spares (Figure 2). These satellites transmit signals that are picked up by a
GPS receiver on the ground, to determine the receiver’s current location, time,
and velocity through triangulation of the signals.
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| FIGURE 2 The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system composed of a network of 24 satellites placed into orbit by the U.S. Department of Defense. |
Since the mid-1990s, GPS devices have been available for
civilian use. There are scientific applications for GPS technology, such as
surveying, map making, selfnavigating robots, and clock synchronization used.
GPS is used in automobiles, airplanes, and boats for navigation and tracking.
Many mobile apps use GPS for navigation, location services, and just plain fun.
For example, some apps used your location to determine what information to
display, such as discounts, local weather, or nearby restaurant
recommendations.
Video Game Systems and Simulations
A video game system is a computer designed primarily to play
games. The first computer arcade video games were released in the early 1970s,
and video game systems for the home soon followed. Magnavox released its
Odyssey game console in 1972. It was programmed to play 12 different computer games.
Atari released a home version of Pong for the 1975 holiday season. Sold
exclusively through Sears, Pong was the hottest gift of the year. For many
people, video game systems were the first computers they had in their homes.
Current eighth generation video game systems have highend
processing and graphics capabilities, and the abilities to play movies and
music, enable online game play, and browse the Internet. Game consoles such as
Microsoft Xbox One and Sony PlayStation 4 have built-in hard drives, can play
DVDs and Blu-rays, and display high definition video. Kinect for Xbox has
motion and voice sensors that enable you to play certain games without holding
a game controller a device used to interact with a video game. Nintendo’s Wii U
is less powerful and less expensive than either the Xbox or the PlayStation.
The Wii has motion sensing controllers that give players unique gameplay
experiences and interactivity.
The Wii has reached out to nontraditional markets, such as
senior citizens and families with young children, by offering such games as
bowling, tennis, Wii Fit, and Brain Age.
Handheld video games, such as the Nintendo 3DS XL and 2DS
and NVIDIA SHIELD Portable, enable you to take your games wherever you go. You
can download and watch movies, view photos and listen to music, and chat with
friends over cellular or Wi-Fi wireless networks system. Such systems include
Internet capabilities, HD graphics, and a multicamera system that lets you take
photos. The popularity of smartphones and tablets has reduced this market
dramatically.
Video game systems aren’t just for entertainment. In
healthcare, medical students use video game simulations to learn to be better
doctors, simulations help stroke patient rehab to improve fine motor reflexes,
and surgeons use simulations to practice intricate techniques. In other
applications, pilots train on flight simulators, business students solve
complex problems, and biology students dissect virtual frogs. Simulations
enable you to immerse yourself in a situation that may not be safe or
accessible otherwise.
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4 Things You Need to Know
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Key Terms
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Smartphones and tablets are handheld mobile devices.
GPS is a satellite-based navigation system.
Wearables are computers worn on the body.
Today’s video game consoles are eighthgeneration systems
with high-end graphics and processing.
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game controller
geocaching
GPS (global positioning system)
mobile device
video game system
wearable
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