Mobile computing is rapidly becoming involved in almost every aspect of our lives. How we find addresses, how we pay for goods, how we receive our news, how we socially network with others and also as a verification of who we are, and nowhere is this more evident than in today’s high-tech universities. Both students and faculty use mobile smartphones and mobile computing applications throughout the campus.

They serve as virtual credit cards and identification to enter dorms, cafeterias, and secure areas on campus. These are safety features and convenience factors. In addition, companies that serve college students can use such virtual ID systems to allow students to enter concerts, exhibitions, and sporting events, sometimes for free, and other times their virtual ID system will bill their college account.

In fact, there was a very interesting article in CR80 News in the magazine’s Fall 2010 issue titled; “CSU Mobile App Seeks to Replace Student IDs,” and in this short article was a Q&A session with one of the top university mobile technology software architects.

In fact, this is an extremely good use of this technology, and it works on a student’s personal technology device, no matter which one they own. They may have a tablet with a Microsoft-based operating system, or they may have a Blackberry or iPhone. These systems now work with whatever technology the student already owns and thus becomes a universal system.

Many students, and even more so, their parents, are concerned about privacy. If such systems exist, students can be tracked wherever they go, and everything they do could be digitally recorded. In many ways that’s a problem, but in other ways it also provides a layer of security. It can be used to help those guilty of crimes, thus protecting the rest of the students. It also prevents students from having their credit card stolen.

If you want to learn more about this type of mobile verification computing and mobile app, I highly recommend you go and read that article and then follow up online with some of the other cool stuff on offer. Things like barcode scanners built into mobile technology devices provide product information and also allow the student to go online and check prices at other retailers for the same product, thus saving money.

In fact, I hope you will please consider all of this and think about it. If you have anything relevant to add, I hope you’ll check out my email and give me feedback.