| Construction sites, particularly those of
larger buildings, often present a striking contrast. A peek over the fence
reveals a dusty, chaotic scene, with building materials in scattered
piles, and bare posts and girders erupting into thin air. But, if you step
back a bit, you may glimpse a poster, a crisp, gleaming artists
rendering of the finished project.
Such an idealized vision is now available in the realm of wireless
Internet access. And, analogously, so is the feverish and apparently
disordered construction.
The vision is WAP, the Wireless Application Protocol. It is, in
essence, a standard for delivering Internet-based content and information
services to mobile phones and other wireless devices. Ultimately, WAP will
encompass a range of components including WAP-compatible handsets, WAP
servers, and Web servers carrying WAP-accessible content.
Will these components fit together as seamlessly as the elements in an
artists rendering? And, if they do, will it matter? For the components
constitute nothing more than mere infrastructure. Whether WAP succeeds is
contingent on the support of a diverse constituency of service providers,
content providers, and developers. How do these groups regard WAP? Will
they like the finished construction so much that theyll move in and set
up shop?
Some observers have expressed doubts. For example, a report issued by
IDC suggested that the hype over WAP has created unrealistically high
expectations, and that too much emphasis has been placed on delivery
tools, instead of the services users actually want.
Other observers cite competing technologies, including the SIM toolkit,
JavaPhone, and Windows CE. In addition, Microsoft has recently allied with
Ericsson to explore the possibilities of a single HTML development
environment, bypassing the sort of transcoding accomplished by WAP (that
is, the translation between high-overhead HTML and low-overhead binary
formats).
Finally, there is (as you might have guessed) a lawsuit. GeoWorks, a
provider of mobile services and content, claims that WAP infringes on its
intellectual property rights. Regardless of its merits, the suit could
have a chilling effect.
The most obvious thing WAP has going for it is the need for something
like WAP. Consider this: For all the hype weve heard about the Web and
e-commerce, and for all the hype over a host of cellular issues, one
possibility has, if anything, been understated. The possibility is that
most users of the Internet will not rely on PCs, as they do today.
Instead, they will rely on handheld computers or cellular phones. Or even
WAP-enabled handsets.
Such a possibility has sweeping implications, several of which will be
discussed in this months Next-Gen Services section, along with a few
relevant news items. For the moment, however, let it suffice to say that
the WAP construction project is proceeding step by step, from the faade
(handhelds with WAP-compliant browsers), to the physical plant (backend
gateways and application servers), to the increasing emphasis on occupancy
(developer commitment). As weve already noted, other edifices are
arising alongside the WAP project, but WAP presents some unique
characteristics, which we will relate presently.
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Next-Gen Services News
Diversinet To Offer WAP-Compatible Security Software
Diversinet will offer digital certificate software to help
safeguard services employing WAP. The latest version of Diversinets
Passport Cerificate Server (Version 3.0) will provide certificates for
secure WAP applications such as wireless banking, stock trading, auctions,
and shopping. Version 3.0 does not require additional software on wireless
devices incorporating the WAP platform. The product automatically will
provide a secure connection to applications, requiring no effort by
subscribers.
No. 538, www.comsolmag.com/freeinfo
PassCall Announces Wireless Internet Platform For Voice
And Text
PassCall Advanced Technologies, a provider of wireless Internet
middleware applications, has announced the beta release of its GateWave
server. GateWave is designed to support every existing telephone standard
and Internet site, all on one platform. Once fully integrated with IVR
systems (such as voice messaging), the PassCall technology supplies a
complete solution for voice or text browsing from normal cellular devices.
In addition, GateWave delivers Internet content to the complete array
of current data systems and supports WAP. With its patent pending Internet
Mobile Link (IML) technology, GateWave can intelligently convert any Web
site and personalize Internet content. Users can navigate the Internet by
voice or by simple keystrokes on their phone. Furthermore, they can
instantly retrieve customized pages like My Yahoo and immediately access
personal stock prices, local weather, or news.
No. 539, www.comsolmag.com/freeinfo
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Infinite Technologies Announces WAPlite Developer
Program
In support of their WAPlite Corporate WAP Server, Infinite
Technologies announces the WAPlite Developer Program. This program is
designed to provide an affordable useable platform and discussion forum
for developers of WAP-enabled Internet and intranet-based applications and
content. The program includes a developer version of the software as well
as unlimited access to the WAPlite Developers Discussion Forum.
WAPlite, a commercially available WAP server, is a software product
that enables companies to provide mobile access to e-mail and other
services available on the Internet and private intranets as well as other
information systems. The server is a WAP gateway supporting WAP 1.1
applications and content. The initial version supports the recently
released Nokia 7110, Ericsson MC218, and Motorola Timeport. Infinite notes
that support for other devices will follow.
No. 540, www.comsolmag.com/freeinfo
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ObjectSwitch WAP Solution Enables e-Commerce And
e-Services
ObjectSwitch, a provider of fault-tolerant infrastructure software
for scalable e-services, announced the availability of a WAP solution
designed to enable the delivery of e-commerce, e-services, and value-added
content to wireless phones and other wireless devices. The ObjectSwitch
WAP Adapter allows network service providers, integrators, and network
equipment providers to deploy fault-tolerant e-commerce and related
applications and services that can scale to support millions of users.
The WAP Adapter can be plugged behind any WAP-compatible server to
create dynamic WAP pages or interact with WAP applications, enabling
ObjectSwitch customers to develop carrier-grade WAP based e-services and
applications. Service providers are not required to create an end-to-end
e-commerce solution; instead an existing e-commerce application or
e-service that is enabled for Web delivery can be combined with
ObjectSwitch infrastructure services and offered to wireless customers
within weeks.
No. 541, www.comsolmag.com/freeinfo
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SmartServ Online And Diversinet To Provide End-To-End
Security
SmartServ Online, a provider of Web and wireless e-commerce
transaction-enabling solutions, announced today that it has entered into a
licensing agreement with Diversinet Corp. Under the terms of the
agreement, SmartServ Online will incorporate Diversinets Passport
Certificate Server into its information and e-commerce platform to provide
end-to-end security and digital signature capabilities.
SmartServ chose Diversinets WAP-compatible Passport Certificate
Server Version 3.0 because it does not require additional software on
wireless devices incorporating the WAP platform. We were looking for a
seamless solution for Web and wireless e-commerce, said Sam Cassetta,
chairman and CEO of SmartServ Online. By incorporating Diversinets
technology on our platform and in our end-user applications, SmartServ
ensures end-to-end security transmission all the way from the client,
through the gateway, to our server, and back to the client. This added
layer of security confirms SmartServs leadership position in conducting
secure wireless e-commerce transactions.
SmartServs engineers and developers are responsible for designing
unique user interfaces which make it simple for end-users of a variety of
devices to interact with SmartServs intelligent backend. With a
multi-tiered platform, SmartServ supports Web, PC software, WAP, and
Windows CE devices over a wide array of wireline and wireless networks,
including GSM-900, GSM-1800, GSM-1900, CDMA IS-95, TDMA IS-136, and 3G
systems.
No. 542, www.comsolmag.com/freeinfo
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Nokia Introduces Corporate WAP Server
Nokia announced the availability of the Nokia WAP Server 1.0, a
product which allows businesses to securely leverage the Internet in
mobile environments and empower employees on the move. The announcement
follows the conclusion of a beta campaign in which thousands of companies
and software developers participated.
The Nokia WAP Server is an open server platform for mobile applications
and lets companies maintain control over end-to-end security of access to
data and customer traffic between the wireless network and the Internet or
their own internal networks. The server complies with the WAP 1.1
specification and is particularly notable for its security option, which
Nokia claims is the first commercially available implementation of the
Wireless Transportation Layer Security.
The response of the developer community has been overwhelming, and
with more than 10,000 Nokia servers in use in companies of all sizes
across all industries, the Nokia WAP Server is already the worlds most
widely deployed, said Pertii Lounamaa, vice president, Nokia Wireless
Software Solutions. Lounamaa added, Nokia and WAP are changing the way
the world does business as companies welcome the addition of wireless
connectivity to their information systems. There have been more than
1,000 U.S.-based installations of the Nokia WAP Server.
No. 543, www.comsolmag.com/freeinfo
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Microsoft, Ericsson Partner To Drive Mobile Internet
Market
Microsoft and Ericsson announced a strategic partnership to
develop and market end-to-end solutions for the wireless Internet, based
on a shared vision of convenient and fast access to information anytime,
anywhere, from any device. The companies will form a joint company to
market and deliver mobile e-mail solutions for network operators. Ericsson
will own the majority share of the new company.
As a result of the partnership, Ericsson will provide its WAP stack to
Microsoft and will adopt Microsoft Mobile Explorer for feature phones,
giving operators, developers, and consumers more choice and functionality
in developing, delivering, and accessing wireless information and
services. The dual-mode microbrowser displays both HTML and WAP
1.1-compliant content.
No. 544, www.comsolmag.com/freeinfo
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Getronics To Integrate Nokia WAP Server With Mobile
E-Business Solutions
Getronics and Nokia announced a global partnership to deliver
e-business solutions. Getronics will integrate Nokia WAP technology with
its Internet solutions for financial services as well as other industry
sectors to provide a mobile dimension to e-business services.
As a result of this partnership, Getronics will market its customer
interaction and e-business solution frameworks integrated with the Nokia
WAP Server to deliver mobile services to customers. These frameworks
include the E-Bank electronic banking framework that is already being used
by European banks to deliver Internet banking services.
No. 545, www.comsolmag.com/freeinfo
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Phone.com Delivers UP.SDK 4.0
Phone.com announced the availability of Release 4.0 Beta of the
UP.SDK WAP Software Development Kit to the wireless application developer
community. UP.SDK 4.0 is available at http://updev.phone.com, free of
charge. It provides a WAP 1.1-compliant development environment for
creating wireless Internet applications, adding support for WAP
1.1-compliant applications written in both WML and WMLScript.
The SDK includes developer documentation and a sample application
source, which simplify the process of generating WML, sending
notifications, and handling HTTP request. The Windows COM library for the
SDK facilitates integration with industry-standard development tools.
Using Phone.coms Developer UP.Link Server, developers will be able to
test the complete set of UP.Link 4.0 enhanced services and APIs, including
sending and receiving alerts and push data, bookmarking, sending
e-mails and faxes, accessing the users address book, and accessing
subscriber ID and preference data.
No. 546, www.comsolmag.com/freeinfo
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|
| WAP
The Whence And Whither
The WAP specifications issue from the WAP Forum. Founded in 1997 by
Nokia, Ericsson, Motorola, and Unwired Planet (now Phone.com), the WAP
Forum released WAP 1.0 for industry trials in June 1998. In June 1999, WAP
1.1 was made available for the first commercial trials. Six months later,
in December 1999, WAP 1.2 became available.
From the outset, the WAP specifications have emphasized device, bearer,
and air interface independence. Also, allowing development in WML, WAP
enables a developers work to be accessible from any network and device
that is WAP-compliant. Thus, WAP attempts to deliver on the write once,
use anywhere promise.
Refinements to the specifications are introducing push and telephony
functionality. With push functionality, users could be alerted to
time-sensitive information as it becomes available; with telephony
functionality, users could click on a screen display a button on a WML
card, say to dial a phone number. (A better alternative than writing
down the phone number, ending the WAP session, and dialing the number
manually.)
Another important function is duality. With duality, information
available on a subscribers handset is also available using a standard
Web browser. Such dual access simplifies input- or import-intensive tasks.
That is, these tasks can be performed at a standard PC, rather than via
the handset. Then, the information appointments, contacts, frequently
referenced directories can be available via the handset.
Also, there is universal printing. WAP applications may allow
subscribers to fax the contents of their e-mail and attachments to the
nearest fax machine. Thus, any convenient fax machine may become the users
local printer.
Additional features will be added as WAP continues to evolve. Recent
submissions to the WAP Forum have introduced:
- Over-The-Air Provisioning.
- Persistent Storage I/F (SIM card).
- Location Services.
- Network Management.
- Broadcast Services.
- IMT-2000 (3G) Multimedia Capabilities.
- Corporate Data Access.
Current opportunities to deliver WAP functionality to the market
include corporate applications (such as sales force automation and
dispatch applications), online services (real-time delivery of content,
banking, e-commerce), teleservices (feature control, prepaid services),
and personal productivity (e-mail, personal organizers).
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