Lack of citation capabilities in mobile word processing apps v2 Wenfa Ng figshare 19 Nov 2016.pdf (211.31 kB)
Lack of citation capabilities in mobile word processing apps highlights dichotomy between security and seamless functionality in Android
Version 3 2016-11-19, 10:24
Version 2 2016-11-19, 10:22
Version 1 2016-10-13, 10:16
journal contribution
posted on 2016-11-19, 10:24 authored by Wenfa NgWenfa NgFrustrated at not being able to
insert a citation in a word document on Android from one of the reference
management apps on Google Play store? Or puzzled at the inability of gaining
the “cite while you write” function on Microsoft Word Android app through a
plugin from a reference citation app? The above are common bugbears of
scientists using mobile word processing apps for writing manuscripts on the go,
where much improvements in productivity can be gained through a “cite while you
write” feature on their favourite word processing app ranging from Word, WPS
Office and Google Docs. But, given the fact that “cite while you write” is a
killer application for any desktop based reference management software, why is
the feature absent from mobile word processing apps? The answer: different
computing architecture of operating systems geared towards the desktop and
mobile platforms. More specifically, compared to Windows, operating system
security in Android is built around sandboxing different apps: i.e.,
restricting app level communications (e.g., a plugin), sharing of information
between apps (e.g., specific reference item), and strict control over
individual apps’ ability to retrieve information stored in a common file on the
operating system (e.g., a clipboard). Hence, while a “cite while you write”
feature is certainly desirable on mobile word processing apps, the “always on”
nature of such a plugin and the large amount of information exchanged opens up
the app to potential hijacking by malware inserted into reference management
apps, of which the barrier of entry is lower and the quality of coding is
poorer than their desktop counterparts. Inherent limitations on data exchange
and data channels thus hinders the creation of seamless functionality on word
processing apps for citation purposes as well as other core applications (e.g.,
blogging) of which addition of features or a link to a word processing app
would provide the user with a greater variety of functions and productivity
tools; thus aiding work on the move. But, could creative ways be developed to
surmount the challenge in ensuring Android operating system (OS) security,
where the kernel communicates directly with the apps such that malware in the
app could gain control over the entire OS? Additionally, is it possible to develop
seamless transition of information from one app to another, which is critical
to generating new functions from an ecosystem of productivity apps (e.g., word
processing, social media, reference citation, video, camera, photo editing
etc.) where the sum is much greater than its parts in the next iteration of the
world’s most popular mobile operating platform?