Topic 10 Exercise 15

1. What is meant by a location based service? Explain using the Web applications found on a late model mobile device.

A location-based service (LBS) is an information service, accessible with mobile devices through the mobile network and utilizing the ability to make use of the geographical position of the mobile device.

LBS is an example of telecommunication convergence and is becoming more and more popular with mobile telephone users. The concept relies on determining the users position and distance from the cell-phone towers nearby or using GPS service provide an accurate location of the subject in relation to the services specified by the user. These can include simple weather updates or points of interest up to very sophisticated and advanced augmented reality services with detailed information based on the subject location.  

2. Describe the purpose of Open Mobile Alliance Initiative?

OMAI's main goal is to provide inter operable service enablers working across countries, operators and mobile terminals while allowing businesses to compete through innovation and differentiation.

3. What are the main components of a mobile Web services framework?

Firstly, a discovery process which is done through UDDI. When one party (requester) contacts another (provider) to obtain services, the requester must locate an appropriate provider. This process is known as discovery. Different mechanisms can be used in the process, such as finding services listed on a web site, searching a directory or locating the provider through a framework that supports discovery.

Next process is description. When a provider has been located, the requester needs to learn the rules related to contacting the provider (e.g., which protocols to use, how to structure messages, and which security and other policies to observe).

The third process is to communicate with the provider by sending and receiving messages. The communication usually takes place using the SOAP protocol together with underlying protocols such as HTTP. The definition of how an underlying protocol is to be used with SOAP is called a SOAP binding. It is required in order to achieve interoperability between SOAP messages and their underlying protocol.

4. Visit an airline Web site and search for information on WAP or SMS or 3G mobile application access to the booking airline system. The same services exist in banking. How do they compare?

Companies researched: 

Singapore Airlines and ANZ Bank

Singapore Airline:
The following WAP services are available:

*  View real-time flight information
*  Register for flight alerts to be sent to your mobile/pager/email address
*  Look up our worldwide office addresses, telephone/fax numbers and email addresses
*  Use the KrisFlyer Redemption and Accrual Calculators
*  Log into your KrisFlyer account and check your latest mileage summary*
*  Check PPS Club and KrisFlyer service numbers you can call around the world*
*  Look out for exclusive KrisFlyer Promotions & Events

ANZ Bank:
The following WAP services are available:

* view account balances
* view transaction history up to 30 days
* transfer between accounts**
* pay bills via BPAY®**
* complete Pay Anyone transactions**
* locate ANZ ATM's, Branches, Business Centres and Night Safes
* contact ANZ
* view regular www.anz.com.

References:

http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/SIA_Mobile/index.jsp accessed on 22/05/2010
http://www.anz.com/personal/ways-bank/banking-mobile-devices/mobile-banking/ accessed on 22/05/2010http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Mobile_Alliance accessed on 22/05/2010