Abstract

The mobile cloud is Internet-based data, applications and related services accessed through smart phones, laptop computers, tablets and other portable devices. Mobile cloud computing is differentiated from mobile computing in general because the devices run cloud-based Web apps rather than native apps. Users subscribe to cloud services and access remotely stored applications and their associated data over the Internet. Mobile cloud computing is a technique, or a model, which allows mobile applications to be built, powered and hosted using cloud computing technology. In this model, the cloud performs the resource-hungry activities such as processor-intensive tasks and storing massive chunks of data. Mobile cloud computing or MCC integrates the cloud computing into the mobile environment and overcomes obstacles related to the performance (e.g., battery life, storage, and bandwidth), environment (e.g., heterogeneity, scalability, and availability), and security (e.g., reliability and privacy) discussed in mobile computing. The proposed model aims to free mobile devices from performing these tasks; thereby, allowing the devices to run cooler and with less power than would have been otherwise required. This article discusses the proposed model and aims to illustrate the manner in which mobile device users would be able to use the cloud application and also take advantage of energy savings not only in terms of power consumed, but also most importantly – time.