Mobile Technologies
A mobile device is comparatively a small portable computer with a touch screen or a small keyboard (Persson & Nouri, 2018). This mobile device has a number of potential features such as portability, mobility, availability, storage, easy to use, and connectivity (Chinnery, 2006; Naismith et al., 2004). The size and weight of these devices allow users to make use of them anytime and anywhere and perform almost all services that computers do such as commercial, medical, academic, social, etc. Mobile devices can perform many functions such audio/ visual media, Multi-media/Short Message Service, voice messaging, calls, cameras, application running (Chinnery, 2006; Thornton & Houser, 2005). Jacob and Issac (2008) categorized mobile devices into five kinds: smartphones, iPods, PDAs, tablets, and others (MP3 players, Pen Drive, & hand phones). Later in 2010, iPad, a version of tablet computer, was launched onto the markets by Apple Company. Pen Drives that are devices to store and transfer data form one device to another is hardly to be considered a processing mobile device like the other four types. This study investigated the use of three main kinds of mobile devices, namely, smartphones, tablets, and iPads.
Smartphones are mobile devices that integrate phone calls and cameras and combine the features of PADs and MP3 players that include storage, internet access, Bluetooth, and processing units, interface and allow users to perform many operations such as emailing, web browsing, audio/video files playing. A smartphone has an interface, an internet access, a touchscreen, and an operating system that is capable to run downloaded applications. In addition to some functions that they share with telephone and cellphones such as sending and receiving telephone calls and messages, taking photos, calendar, address book, smartphones do have a number of distinguishing functions such as video and voice players, text messaging, email, voice dialing, Bluetooth, video recording, Global Positioning System (GPS), office programmes, keyboard (Mid York Library System, 2012). Language learning mediated by mobile devices has become a main approached in education where learners are becoming more and more familiar with the benefits and uses of these tools (Gromik, 2012).
Tablets/iPads are mobile devices have bigger than smartphones and have all the features of personal computers. Like smartphones, they have camera, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Ethernet (Jacob & Issac, 2008). Users can search for data using a keyboard, handwriting, or even voice recognition features. These devices can support word processing, application running, messaging, emailing and web searching. Unlike smartphones, these devices do not provide phone call services.
Mobile devices have become more effective tools in language learning, especially with the rise of formal learning management systems (LMSs) such as Moodle and Blackboard. Therefore, many psychological, pedagogical, and technical obstacles and fears of mobile language learning discussed by Wang and Higgins (2006) have disappeared.