22 Personal Content Experience: Managing Digital Life in the Mobile Age 11 phones are targeted to enterprise use and NSeries phones for multi- 12 media, although both use the same Series 60 platform. The devices, such as PDAs, smart phones, and multimedia comput- ers, are open for adding new functionality, services, and content types. Users may install, for example, new e-mail clients or video players. The devices provide open software platforms for (third-party) application development. In this class of devices, particular attention must be given to the design of multi-tasking and task switching. For instance, what to do when the user is listening to music and a phone call is coming in? Most likely the music should be paused and the user alerted. If the user accepts the call, how to return to the music once the call ends – should the previous states be automatically restored or not? These and similar issues are discussed in Chapter 6. For third-party application developers, the toolbox devices are appealing targets, as their platform is open and they have more pro- cessing power and memory, better graphics and audio capabilities, embedded cameras, and various connectivity features (such as, GSM, 3G, WLAN, and Bluetooth). 2.2.3.1 Laptop PCs The most obvious and most versatile mobile computing device, the laptop computer, is a trusty companion for many workers on the move. Even non-corporate people have found that bringing a laptop along gives them the freedom to keep their electronic environment with them. For instance, on a long trip the laptop is needed for uploading images from a camera or for changing the music on an MP3 player. Telltale signs of PC pervasiveness are the hordes of people hunched over their laptops in places with WLAN connectivity, such as Starbuck’s. While a laptop is clearly a viable platform for almost any applica- tion, it is notably ill-suited for many tasks that people carry out while on the move. For instance, speaking on the phone, typing a short message, listening to music, or navigating a foreign city are indeed possible on a laptop but are more conveniently done with other devices while on the move.13 11 http://www.nokia.com/nseries/index.html 12 http://www.s60.com/ 13 However, laptops in cars are moderately usable for navigation, entertainment and various mobile offi ce tasks. In general, cars are closer to nomadic use situations than mobile ones, as people may spend extended amounts of time in their vehicles. Still there are frequent interruptions while driving, so mobile situations also apply there.