Research

The expanding capabilities and growing number of smartphones are producing a new computing infrastructure integrating phones, users, and the Internet. We call this emerging device the phone cloud, and its power is transforming user expectations. The users now expect their phones to locate friends; identify the song playing at a restaurant; provide instant access to music, video, and other information; and help document their lives --- all in addition to placing phone calls and sending text messages. Meeting these expectations requires addressing multiple challenges: efficiently utilizing multiple radio technologies and integrated sensors, harnessing powerful processors to support demanding applications, and leveraging distributed storage to move data closer to users. Yet, despite the challenges and transformative nature of the phone cloud, no public Test-Bed exists enabling large-scale realistic smartphone experimentation.