The year 2010 sees the introduction of a new technological aid designed to simplify the running of Sussex students’ lives. IT services at the university are currently promoting the launch of SussexMobile, a new application (app) which brings all aspects of university life to a mobile phone.
SussexMobile is part of the nationwide project CampusM, run by the phone application company oMbiel. On its website the company states that it aims to ‘fully integrate the university experience with the modern age.’
Smartphone or iPhone users with the application can access a multitude of services. These include study and exam timetables, library records, campus locations (which they can then find using their GPS), up and coming events, reading lists and more. Friends who have SussexM can locate each other on campus using the Friend Locator. Alerts can also be activated for updates on events and overdue library books.
The University of Sussex is following in the footsteps of other UK universities keen to provide their students with cutting edge technology to improve access to university resources. The student population is no exception to the rest of society in their demand for mobility and convenience to ‘simplify’ their complicated schedules and workload.
SussexM is personalised and relevant to the individual using it, and should promote better communication between staff and students. It is available everywhere and on a range of phones, including the iPhone and iTouch, Blackberry, LG, Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, Sanyo and Sony Ericsson. However, those who do not have smartphones are excluded, which arguably creates inequality of access to certain services provided by the university.
With all university information directly accessible on our mobile phones, the old ‘couldn’t find the room’ excuse for lateness to lectures becomes redundant.
It may be that not all students are motivated by the implicit yet never ending pressure to have the latest gadget providing the latest information, anywhere, anytime.
Students can download the SussexMobile application at sussex.ac.uk/mobile.
