Mobile Social Networking

Elton Chung

Columbia University

COMS6125 WHIM

What is Mobile Social Networking

• Social Network Services:– Software for building online social networks

for communities (virtual) of people who share interests and activities or who are interested in exploring the interests and activities of others

• Mobile Social Network Services– Use of social network services on mobile

devices

Why Mobile?

• Increase use of mobile devices

• Billion dollar industry

• Integration of internet services

MSNS Technologies

• SMS/MMS

• XHTML

• Social Mapping

SMS/MMS

• Short Messaging Service (SMS)– Text based– Blogging, messaging, Wall posting– Simple, Easy to use, bandwidth efficient

• Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS)– Two phases

• Upload pictures and video• Streaming video

XHTML

• WAP 2.0– Wireless application protocol (open standard)

providing basic services to mobile devices

• XHTML-MP– Stricter version of HTML extending XHTML basic – Adds presentation elements, application authors

and support for internal style sheets

XHTML (cont)

Social Mapping

• SMS based

– Dodgeball

• GPS based

– Loopt

Social Mapping (cont)

MSNS Limitations

• Security– WiFi and AP spoofing– Social Mapping issues

• Limited Technology– XHTML-MP– Physical limitations

Future of Social Networking

• Limitations can be overcome

• New technology with room for growth and improvements

• Help spur innovations of new mobile technologies

Questions?