1.1.1. Mobile Devices

LBS devices can be very different but do mostly have some common characteristics like the limited screen size, processing power and memory. Based on the latter device property LBS devices can be distinguished into single purpose and multi purpose devices (see LBSBasics).

The following examples show some common device types which are used for LBS. As the development in the domain of electronic companions of any kind is going on very fast, this listing does not claim to be complete or absolutely up to date. The devices which are shown here are the typical devices of the year 2005.

Multi purpose devices are used by a broad number of people as part of everyday life. Such devices can be mobile phones, smart phones, Personal digital Assistants (PDAs) but also Laptops and Tablet PCs.

Single purpose device are especially designed for the type of LBS and for the environment they are used in. Thus usually they offer only the functionalities that are designed for and are unlike mobile phones or PDAs not extendable. Examples are a car navigation device, a route tolling box or an emergency remote for old or handicapped people. As well part of that class are devices which call service engineers or rescue teams. These devices have often proprietary software and are difficult to extend with additional applications. Thus these devices are listed only for completeness. However the development of LBS mainly focuses on multipurpose devices.