This course will focus on the latest revolution in the world of computing: the movement of much of our everyday interaction with information and entertainment from large and static Desktop based computers and game stations to the rapidly becoming ubiquitous computing platform: the mobile phone.

A revolution is occurring around us, not only in what people do with their phones (they even use them to make phone calls!), but also how software is being distributed and sold. The iPhone Appstore opened its doors in July of 2008, and as of now (Feb 2009), more than 500 million applications have been downloaded and sold, and over 20,000 applications have been developed and uploaded to the store.

This course will have both a seminar and a project track. The Seminar part of the course will focus on the history of mobile computing, how it has changed, as well as the major issues (technical, graphical, and user interface) in the field and how they have been dealt with. During this part, students will research and present different areas in the field in 30 minute presentations. Example topics are localization technology in mobile phones, short and long distance networking,  VOIP, image acquisition and processing, gesture recognition, sensors, security, multi-touch interaction, and more.

The project part of the course will have students learn to develop mobile applications using the Android SDK. This will culminate with students developing working prototypes of applications which they have designed. The course will end with a project presentation session.

Prerequisites: Year 2 and above at the School of Engineering and Computer Science

About Amnon Dekel

Amnon Dekel has a background in three disciplines:

• Research in novel human computer interaction
• Information technology
• Digital media.

The twenty five years since Amnon programmed his first computer (a ZX-80) have been spent by him in studying computer science, being an Air Traffic Controller, getting a BA and an MA degree in cognitive psychology, an MPS degree in Interactive Telecommunications (NYU), producing award winning and Pulitzer nominated web sites (for the likes of the Discovery Channel and the New York Times online), designing and developing desktop and web based applications, developing interactive digital art installations, teaching, industry consulting, co-founding an AOL funded internet startup, serving as Vice President in Charge of User Experience at TriPlay Inc. and as of last year, working on his PhD in Computer Science (focusing on embedded and pervasive computing for Smart Environments) under Prof Scott Kirkpatrick. Amnon  started  the area of Physical Computing (which we call TEXperience) with Hila Dar and Ezri Tarazi at the Bezalel Academy of Art Design.

Amnon's CV