This book describes a new class of computing devices which are becoming
omnipresent in everyday life. They make information access and
processing easily available for everyone from anywhere at any time.
Mobility, wireless connectivity, diversity, and ease-of-use are the
magic keywords of Pervasive and Ubiquitous Computing. Devices include
handheld computers, mobile phones, interactive television, smart cards,
household appliances as well as intelligent automotive equipment. The
book covers these front-end devices as well as their operating systems
and the back-end infrastructure which integrate these pervasive
components into a seamless IT world. A strong emphasis is placed on the
underlying technologies and standards applied when building up pervasive
solutions. These fundamental topics include commonly used terms such as
XML, WAP, UMTS, GPRS, Bluetooth, Jini, transcoding, and cryptography, to
mention just a few. Voice, Web Application Servers, Portals, Web
Services, and Synchronized and Device Management are new in the second
edition. Besides a comprehensive state-of-the-art description of the
Pervasive Computing technology itself, this book gives an overview of
today's real-life applications and accompanying service offerings.
M-Commerce, e-business, networked home, travel, and finance are exciting
examples of applied Ubiquitous Computing.