Mobile applications are designed for mobile devices, taking into account limited bandwidth and small display sizes. Social networks refer to software and websites that enhance real-world social networks. Mobile social networks are designed for mobile environments, some exclusively. Concerns have been raised about privacy issues and the need for stricter laws.
In the realm of computers and the internet, a mobile application has been specifically designed to meet the needs and constraints of a mobile or handheld device. This means working within the operating system and micro-browsers available for mobile and handheld devices, as well as taking into account limited bandwidth capabilities and small display sizes. Social network is a term coined in the 1950s by JA Barnes, a professor, who used it to refer to people attracted by family ties, a common hob, or their job. Social network is used in the realm of computers and the Internet to refer to software applications and websites that have been developed to help create, extend, or enhance real-world social networks. A mobile social network is a social networking application or website designed or miniaturized for a mobile environment.
A social networking application is sometimes referred to as a social networking service (SNS), so a mobile social networking service may be referred to as a mobile SNS. Mobile social networks developed by PC-based services are available to both computer and mobile device users allowing integration of use regardless of the device chosen by the user to access the site. Some mobile social networks have been developed exclusively for use on mobile devices.
Some mobile social networking applications are sites where users create profiles, search for others they know or share interests with, create posts about their shared activities or concerns, share photos and links, etc. Others use that information for other purposes by creating a variety of types of what have been called friend-linked apps. For example, there are friend tracker apps that map the location of a user’s nearby friends. These apps also allow companies to collect consumer data and target people in a particular neighborhood at a particular time for marketing that might draw them to a local store, restaurant, nightclub, or movie theater.
Some concerns have been raised regarding privacy issues in relation to this type of mobile social networking application. They point out that people are either giving away a great deal of information or allowing a great deal of information about themselves to be gathered without thinking about the consequences. Stricter laws and an explicit requirement to adhere are being urged by those who see cause for concern.
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