Chapter 4th (Current Trends in Information Technology)
CHAPTER NO.4 CURRENT TRENDS IN
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
4.1 INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY
We live in the “information world,” sc information
technology has become important part of our daily life. Information technology
has made the whole earth as village. It has given rise to a global economy by
connecting different economies of the world.
Information Technology (IT) has impacted the lives
of all of us. The field of information technology has gone a long way in the
past few years. From morning to night we use many
products, devices and features based on information
technology. Today information technology is being used inside all sectors.
In the past, knowledge about information technology was
known to very few people, as IT was not expanded at that time. In most places,
the collection and exchange of information was done without computers. Only a
few people knew about Information Technology, who worked in a large
organization, where a large amount of data had to be stored and computers were
used for it.
But recently, information technology has spread a
lot, with the help of computers and the Internet. New discoveries based on
information technology are being invented, with which information technology is
constantly advancing.
4.2 DEFINING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Information Technology (IT) is a technique under
which computers or other physical devices (hardware, software) are used to
create, process, secure and exchange electronic data.
In other words, Information Technology is used for
the study, understanding, planning,design, construction, testing, distribution,
support and operations of software, computers and computer related systems that
exist for the purpose of data, information and knowledge processing.
In simple words, in the Information Technology (IT),
we study and use systems like computer and telecommunication devices to store,
retrieve and exchange information.
Information Technology is the whole field in which
computer and technology related work is done within industry, business or in
any organization.
In simple terms, we can say that the use of
computer-based systems, networking systems and other electronic devices to
facilitate the transfer of information and data is known as IT
4.3 APPLICATIONS OF INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY
Information technology is used in each and every
field of human life. Few applications of Information Technology are given
below:
Business : Technology has changed every aspect of
business in a big way. Businesses can utilize information technology through
the use of computers and different software to mm their operations in a
smoother fashion.
To be more specific, here are a few ways in which
information technology has affected business. Either small or big business,
they will need to scale out a plan to utilize opportunities brought by
"Information Technology". Businesses use IT in four ways to support
:-
{1} Information-processing tasks
(2) Decision making
(3) Shared Information through Decentralized Computing
and
(4) Innovation
Classroom Education : Education is one of the
frontiers of technology and is
gtowing with technology every day. It's important
that education be able to keep up with the progress happening in technology by
reaching students in a way that adequately helps them to prepare for the
future. This includes the use of gadgets in teaching, such as computers, smart
electronic boards, mobile phones, and tablets, as
well as the use of the intemet as a medium of
learning.
Online Education : Unlike in the past when education
was tied to specific
boundaries, now the education sector has changed.
With the introduction of online education services, students can learn from
anywhere using the internet; this has helped in spreading of essential education
materials to all students across the globe.Online education is also being
enhanced by the creation of a mobile application
which enables students to access education material
via their mobile phones.
Finance : The discovery of computers has transformed
the financial industry and how business deals are transacted. It is possible
for accountants to keep large amounts of data, conduct calculations and manage
financial transactions all from a computer. With an increasing number of
transactions happening online, it is important
that financial and security institutions work
together to make the internet a safe place.
Health : With improvements in information
technology, it is becoming easier to reform the health sector. This makes it
possible for timely care to be delivered, as well as for costs to be reduced.
Latest information on medical science is readily accessible through internet
and handheld devices like personal digital assistants,
palmtops, and other.Healthcare facilities,
particularly hospitals, are using social media to establish
contact with patients, answer questions about
practices, launch public awareness campaigns, and perform community outreach.
Nurses and doctors use hand-held computers to record a patient's medical
history and check that they are administering the correct treatment. Results of
lab tests, records of vital signs, and medicine orders are all electronically
put into a main database that can be referred later.
Media : Media field has been totally upgraded and
transformed by the IT. Now,media can cover news better and can distribute it
for mass consumption on a larger scale. Apart from TV and radio, online
websites have been launched to keep people up to date.
Transport : Transport sector is also under influence
of information technology.New inventions and innovations have upgraded the
transport industry to a great extent. Roadways, railways, airways, waterways
all are revolutionized. It becomes easy to get information about availability
of seats, timings etc. with the help of
intemet.
Telecommuanication : The progress of information
technology has opened the
doors to many new services in the field of
telecommunications. The computer itself is connected to the telephone network
to exchange communication through the channel of e-mail. Radio-TV transmission
and World Wide Web has also been made possible. Telephone and internet services
are brought together in mobile internet.
Entertainment : Computer is now an important tool in
film, television and
advertisement. The computer allows us innumerable
options to handle pictures.
Defence : Information Technology is the main tool
which helps in developing
missiles and other equipment in the defence system.
Designing and the maintenance are possible only through IT. IT fills the
communication gap between the soldiers and commanders through the satellites.
Construction of weapons and controlling their function becomes easy using
computers.
4.4 CURRENT TRENDS IN INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY
Information technology has experienced an
extraordinary growth over the last few years,So we need to stay on top of
emerging trends and how they operate.
The IT industry never stands still. This rapid,
ever-changing stream is full of technologies,tools, software frameworks and
endless ideas. The list of current technology trends can be
infinite. In this chapter, we would like to focus on
some of the top current information technology trends.
4.4.1 Mobile Internet
Mobile internet is an internet connection usually
through 2G or 3G or 4G mobile phone networks. This
is different from ADSL (phone line) or cable
(fibre-optic) broadband. Thus we can say that Mobile internet
uses mobile phone. No routers, cables or telephone
lines are needed.
Mobile intemet gives us access to our favourite
social communities like Facebook, WhatsApp etc.Besides these, we can also
access to news, sports, and
entertainment using internet mobile. Some common
names of mobile internet technologies are: 2G,3G,4G, HSPA (High Speed Packet
Access),LTE (Long Term Evolution often called 4G LTE), XLTE, VoLTE (voice Long
Term Evolution)
etc.
Advantages of Mobile Internet :
Meet people ; The use of social media apps like
WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter,
and Instagram has made it easy to find and meet
peoples.
Knowing Location : With the mobile internet, we can
know our location.
Fast ; Mobile internet enable quick access to
information on the web.
Up to Date ; With Mobile internet we stay updated.
4.4.2 Wi-Fi Technology
Full form of Wi-Fi is Wireless Fidelity. Wi-Fi is a
technology that provides network connectivity using a
radio wave for wireless high-speed Internet and
network comnections.
Wi-Fi is a network facility through which we can
connect our computer, smartphone, laptop or any other
device with internet wirelessly, but its area is
fixed.We can take advantage of this only within that area.
An adapter for a Wi-Fi connection can be made a
hotspot that is usually a wireless router and is connected
to other devices such as laptops, mobiles, game
consoles, or PCs for Internet access.
Advantages of Wi-Fi:
We can save the cost of cables and can access
intemet wirelessly.
We can connect to any Wi-Fi network nearby us
through hotspot.
4.4.3 Bluetooth technology
Bluetocth is a wireless LAN technology, all types of media files can be transferred with Bluetooth. This technology is used to exchange information between devices such as
phones, laptops, personal computers,printers, digital cameras, mobile phones,etc. within a short distance.
Advantages of Bluetooth Technology:
It avoids interference from other wireless devices.
It has lower power consumption.
Bluetooth devices are available at very cheap cost.
No line of sight needed hence can connect through
any obstacles.
The technology is adopted in many products such as
head set, in car system, printer,web cam, GPS system, keyboard and mouse.
4.4.4 E-Commerce
Electronic commerce is a way of doing
business using Internet. The purchase or sale of
goods or services under e-commerce is through electronic systems such as the
Internet.It involves electronically transferring data
or money between two or more parties. Some examples
of e-commerce are as follows: Online Shopping, Electronic Payments, Online
Auctions,Internet Banking, Online Ticketing etc.
Advantages of E-Commerce:
E-commerce improves the brand image of the company.
E-commerce helps the organization to provide better
customer services.
E-commerce helps in simplifying business processes
and making them fast and efficient.
E-commerce greatly reduces paper work.
4.4.5 M-Commerce Technology
M-commerce, also known as mobile commerce,
M-commerce is known as the next generation of e-commerce. M-commerce provides
users with online access to the internet anywhere without the need of a PC or
laptop anywhere.
M-commerce is the purchase and sale of
goods and services through cellular telephone and
wireless digital handheld devices such as Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) or
tablets.
Advantages of M Commerce:
It provides a convenient, secure and
easy communication and distribution
network.
It reduces transaction and order
Processing costs.
It provides wide reach as most people
use cell phones.
It simplifies all business processes.
4.4.6 GPS Technology
GPS stands for Global Positioning System by which anyone can always obtain the position information anywhere in the world. It also helps us to search the nearby organizations, restaurants, hotels and gas stations and is very useful for a new place etc. The Global Positioning System (GPS) is made possible by a group of satellites in Earth's orbit.
Advantages of GPS Technology :
Real Time Tracking : Most GPS Tracking devices are
enabled with real-time
monitoring. Location of the vehicles is tracked on
the map as it moves from point to point.
Trip History : We can track all the trips made by
the vehicle graphically on the map. Information such as kilometers traveled,
stoppages, idling, engine time and average speed is displayed.
Alerts : Using vehicle tracking system features like
over speeding alert, start of day alert, route deviation alert and excessive
stoppage alert.
Anytime Anywhere Access ; The easy anytime, anywhere
access with user friendly app keeps we abreast with our vehicles movement in
real time no matter where we are.
Geo Fencing : Geo-fencing takes alert customization
to the next level. We can
create geographical boundaries called Geo fences on
the map around a landmark.
Easy to use, user friendly interface : A simple and
intuitive user interface provides powerful features like group-wise access
without the need for multiple accounts.
4.4.7 Android Technology
Android is a great operating system, the Android operating system is a mobile
operating system that was developed by Open Handset Alliance and later owned by Google to be primarily used for touchscreen devices, cell
phones, and tablets. Android has proved to be a very
good platform for mobile devices. Android features make it better than any
other platforms.
Advantages of Android Technology :
Support different media platform that Mp3, Mp4 etc.
It supports various technologies such as camera,
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, speech, etc.
Multitasking
Easy Access
It is Platform-independent. It means it supports
Windows, Mac, and Linux platforms.
4.4.8 Virtual Reality
Virtual Reality is a computer technology that is
used to create a fantasy world that makes us
feel like we are in that world. Virtual reality (VR)
means experiencing things through our computer that do not really exist.Virtual
Reality is a technique in which we experience being in the world generated by
the computer when we watch any 3D movie so that we feel as if everything that
is happening in front of us is in reality. It is our imagination, but actually
it does not happen.
Advantages of Virtual Reality
Virtual reality has made viewing technology more
enjoyable than reading.
Doctors take advantage of VR technology to learn
about new medical symptoms.
Virtual reality creates a realistic world.
Virtual reality makes education easier,
The use of VR gives the user a great experience.
4.4.9 Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology, in the context of computer science,
is a type of engineering geared toward building electronic components and
devices measured in nano-meters, which are
extremely tiny in size and structure
Nanotechnology is an area where nanoparticles (microscopic
materials) are practiced and their use is found in a diverse field.
Nanotechnology is present in almost all fields, Such as
Nanotechnology in computer science, chemistry,
biology, physics, materials science and engineering etc. for example the processor
that is in our Smartphone is an invention of
nanotechnology.
Advantages of Nanotechnology:
Faster and smaller non-silicon-based chipsets,
memory, and processors
New-science computers based on Quantum Computing.
Advanced microscopy and manufacturing systems.
Faster and smaller telecom switches, including
optical switches.
4.4.10 5G Technology
5G is the next generation wireless technology (after
3G, 4G). It is the latest generation of cellular mobile communications. 5G will
elevate the mobile network to not only interconnect
people, but also interconnect and control machines,
objects, and devices. 5G is much better than 4G, 3G and 2G technology. 5G can
be up to 100 times faster than 4G. Its internet speed
will be more than 20 Gbps so that large data can be
easily downloaded and uploaded. With this,HD Movie can be downloaded in 1
minute.
Advantages of 5G:
5G network will provide high speed internet
connection. 5G will provide the most efficient uploading and downloading speed
Villages and Cities can be made smart through
network connectivity.
It will introduce VR(Virtual Reality) and AR
(Augmented Reality) in smartphone sector.
Viewing space, galaxy and other planets will be very
easy.
Natural disasters like earthquakes can be detected
in advance.
4.4.11 Internet of Things (IoT)
Technology The Internet of Things or (loT) is an area of
technology focuses on making human life more simplified and comfortable. It is
a network of interconnected digital devices, machines,objects etc. provided
with unique identifiers (UID) and the ability to connect, collect and
exchange data over a wired and wireless network,
with little or no human-to-human or human-to-computer intervention. Some uses
of IoT are everyday objects like A.C, refrigerators,washing machines, TVs,
motor-starters, Smart Homes, smart cities, Connected Car etc.
Advantages of IoT:
Minimize Human Effort : As the devices of IoT
interact and communicate with
each other and do lot of task for us, then they
minimize the human effort.
Improve Security : Now, if we have a system that all
these things are interconnected then we can make the system more secure and
efficient.
Save Time ; As it reduces the human effort then it
definitely saves our time. Time is the primary factor which can save through IoT
platform.
Useful In Monitoring : It provides an advantage of
knowing things in advance. So it makes efficient management.
Efficient Resource Utilization : IOT increase the
efficient resource utilization.
Stay Connected : We and our family members, home
devices, camera etc. can
always be in the network. We can virtually stay
connected.
Efficient usage of electricity and energy : If our
home appliances can operate by themselves, electricity is utilized in an
efficient way.
4.4.12 Multimedia Technology
It refers to any type of technology that can be used
in the creation or display of multimedia content, which usually consists of
combinations of images and audio in a single
pplication.Multimedia technology includes interactive, computer-based
applications that allow people to
communicate ideas and information with digital and
print elements. Professionals in this field
use computer software to develop and manage online
graphics and content.
Advantages of Multimedia technology:
Increased learning effectiveness.
Gains and holds attention.
More appealing.
Reduces training cost.
Easy to use.
Provides high quality of presentations
Multi-sensorial.
Creativity.
Realistic Approach.
Wide Variety of Formats
4.4.13 Cloud Computing
It provides us means by which we can access the
applications as utilities over the internet.It allows us to create, configure,
and customize the applications online. Some types of cloud computing
technologies are:
Cloud printing connects digital devices like
smartphones, laptops, and tablets, and workstations with printer stations.
Cloud printing apps are available for smartphones and tablets that work with
almost any printer.
Cloud storage is a way of saving digital things
online; allowing we to protect valuable data from issues and problems that
effect things like flash drives, discs,etc. cloud storage enables applications
to upload data to a network of remote,connected servers. Applications can then
maintain that data and access it from anywhere.
Advantages of Cloud Storage:
Data accessibility from any part of the world.
It increases work efficiency.
Public file sharing
Reduces costs of operations in the longer run.
Remote data backups as per our own convenience.
It reduces the costs to setup the disaster recovery
and backup units.
Disadvantages of Cloud Storage:
Increased usage of bandwidth to access the data that
increases the costs of operations a bit.
If our internet connection is not having a great
speed, we might not be able to access the datz.
Has security and privacy issues
Higher Internet Utilization.
Lack of total control because data is held offsite
by a company we do not have direct control on it.
1. Information Technology (IT) is an area under
which computers or other physical devices (hardware, software) are used to
create, process, secure and exchange electronic data.
2. Businesses use IT in four ways to support (1)
information-processing tasks, (2) decision making, (3) shared information
through decentralized computing and (4) innovation.
3. Full form of Wi-Fi is - Wireless Fidelity.
4. The Bluetooth is used for voice and data
transfer.
5. E-Commerce involves electronically transferring
data or money between two or more patties.
6. M-commerce is the purchase and sale of goods and
services through cellular telephone and wireless digital handheld devices such
as Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) or tablets.
7. GPS is the full form Global Positioning System.
8. Android operating system is a mobile operating
system.
9. Cloud computing provides us means by which we can
access the applications as utilities over the intemet.
10. Virtual reality (VR) means experiencing things
through our computer that do not really exist.
11, Nanotechnology in computer science, chemistry,
biology, physics, materials science and engineering etc.
12, 5G will elevate the mobile network to not only
interconnect people, but also interconnect
and control machines, objects, and devices.
Part-A
1. Multiple Choice Questions:
1.Information Technology (IT) is an area
under which computers or other physical devices (hardware, software) are used
to create, ___, secure and exchange electronic data.
a. Access
b. = process
c. define
d. save
2. With the introduction of online
education services, students can learn from anywhere using the
a. Internet
b. electricity
c. 5G Technology
d. email
3. Android operating system is a________—s
operating system.
a. Computer
b. Mobile
c. Technology
d. ‘Virtual reality
IV. Cloud computing is a kind of based
computing.
a. Big-data
b. IcT
c. Intemet
d. Bluetooth
2, Write the Full form of following
1Wi-Fi
2 VR
3 IloT
4. IT
5. GPS
Part-B
3. Short Answer Type Questions. (Write
the answers in 4-5 lines)
1 ~——- What is Information Technology?
2. Give name of any four current trends in
Information Technology.
3 Define Bluetooth Technology.
4. Define GPS Technology.
5. Define Multimedia Technology.
6. Define 5G Technology.
Part-C
5. Long Answer Type Questions. (Write
the answers in 10-15 lines)
1 What is
Information Technology? Describe the various applications of Information
Technology?
2. Describe Android Technology with its advantages.
3 Write short Notes on: Nano Technology and Wi-Fi.
4 Describe Virtual Reality with its advantages.
5. Describe Internet of Things (IoT) with its
advantages.
