In conferences focused on applications, there have not only been an increasing number of papers on the topic but also workshops, which suggests that a groundswell of fresh research will be appearing in the near future. The majority of mobile services development is now taking place in industry. Small and large firms are just beginning to deploy services to make use of wireless internet access, including specially configured web sites, sales support, medical reference information, fleet tracking and navigation aid. Mobile computing refers to people, devices and objects on the move. This is probably the largest and most diverse category of research, addressing the use of networked PDAs, in-field information systems, mobile commerce, vehicle telematics and other cellular subscriber services.
Mobile agents are programs that move through computer networks and autonomously carry out tasks.
Most research on mobile agents has focused on mobility per se, that is, the seamless migration of processes across a network. Issues such as negotiation and coordination among agents have only begun to be addressed. This Minitrack is focused on issues of software and applications design and development. As a researcher, Jon did some of the first research on mobile applications to support scientific fieldwork. He has consulted in the wireless communications industry and published on such topics as research management, technology adoption and user-centered design.