Mobile Device Form Factors

A diverse set of device form factors are necessary to cater to the personal requirements and preferences of a large set of users. Though a multifunction cell phone that can fit into a pocket has become one of the most pervasive devices in the market today, other purpose optimized devices that have better usability or I/O characteristics are also likely to found in our environment. For example, a computer integrated into a wristwatch or arm band may be able to collect a user's biometric data more efficiently than a cell phone carried in a pocket. A user is more likely to have his wristwatch or belt available with him than a PDA while engaging in recreational activities. On the other hand, interacting directly with a computer integrated into a belt is difficult and socially awkward as well. As a result, one may use a specific device for a particular function. In other cases users may use different devices to access the same function at different times.

While the new devices and the function they provide are familiar to many, the changes such functions drive into the overall infrastructure and business processes is less evident at the outset. In order to gain a broad understanding of how the growing device landscape will impact device software, back-end middleware, infrastructure, and business processes, researchers at IBM have built several advanced prototypes.

More information about the different form factors are available from the links on the left.

Page was last updated in May, 2005.