Wireless Internet technology
Integra Micro Systems
Indian software company Integra Micro Systems introduced a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) browser for the PalmOS platform, allowing Palm devices to access Wireless Markup Language (WML) content. The Jataayu Browser is fully WAP compliant, the company said, and can be used by application developers to create WAP applications as well. Integra also plans to create versions of the browser for other operating systems. www.integramicro.com
mi4e
Sweden’s mi4e released ThunderWAP for IIS, with a public beta available for download. The product transforms any Microsoft Internet Information Server (IIS) into a WAP 1.1 compliant server, the company said. The software allows companies to offer customers direct access to WAP content using the IIS platform without using a third-party gateway. The company said the software eliminates response time degradation, security concerns and separate gateway installation and maintenance problems. www.mi4e.com
FusionOne
FusionOne introduced a mobile desktop service giving subscribers access to PC-based personal data from Web-enabled phones. The service is based on an online repository to which users connect to access personal data such as e-mail addresses, contact lists and schedules. As a user enters or modifies information on one device-PC or wireless handset-the service automatically forwards the changes to a storage space on the Internet, which will be broadcast to other devices supported by the service when they connect. FusionOne also provides the appropriate translation services needed for cross-platform data sharing, such as from Outlook to Netscape Communicator, the company said. www.fusionone.com
iJapan
iJapan announced a multilanguage, multiplatform technology to deliver wireless content. The product translates a Web site into the correct format for a user’s subscription platform. The technology allows i-mode and WAP phones to read Internet content written in the other’s technology. It translates a Web site written in i-mode’s C-HTML into WML for WAP, and vise versa for i-mode. The platform strips out the graphics content of many i-mode sites, but it retains the superior navigational capabilities. www.ijapan.com
PacketVideo
PVPlatform 1.0, a wireless streaming video delivery system, is available from PacketVideo. The software is designed to provide encoding, transmission and decoding services that support all major digital wireless standards, as well as next-generation wireless networks. The platform’s three components include PVAuthor, an encoding product that prepares media for transmission over wireless networks; PVServer, which stores and distributes media to wireless subscribers; and PVPlayer, which decodes and plays media for viewing on handheld devices. The technology recognizes and conceals errors inherent in wireless networks, enabling mobile devices to receive enhanced video image quality, according to the company. www.packetvideo.com/update
Centerpost
Centerpost introduced its SmartDelivery messaging solution, which allows users to dictate what kind of messages are sent to what devices, so urgent messages can be sent to a pager while others are directed to a home e-mail account. The solution is based on XML technology, so the messages need not have “urgent” in the subject field. Instead, a corporation can invisibly tag a message urgent and still reach the subscriber’s device. www.centerpost.com
Nokia
The company introduced its WAP Browser 2.0, an upgraded microbrowser software package that supports the WAP 1.2 specification. Nokia said it will make the browser available to other mobile-phone and device manufacturers as source code, which it said gives manufacturers more control over the software and its use. Specifically, the source code will allow manufacturers and wireless carriers to manage the user interface and develop functionality to better meet specific market needs, according to Nokia. www.nokia.com
Silicon Wave
Silicon Wave launched its Odyssey line of hardware and software products designed for Bluetooth wireless communications, including the Silicon Wave SiW1501 Radio Modem IC, SiW1601 Link Controller IC and lower layer Bluetooth protocol stack. Silicon Wave claims the SiW1501 Radio Modem is the industry’s first single-chip radio designed specifically for Bluetooth applications. The SiW1601 provides link management functions between a radio modem and a microprocessor, including a separate link controller that can be upgraded to support advanced Bluetooth specifications. The line also includes development and evaluation tools. www.siliconwave.com
SyncML
The SyncML initiative released version 1.0 Alpha of the SyncML specification, designed to synchronize data across multiple networks, platforms and devices. An upgraded SyncML Reference Toolkit, originally unveiled in May, also was released. The official version of SyncML 1.0 is scheduled for release in the fourth quarter. The Alpha version will allow the initiative’s supporters to review it and provide feedback prior to its launch. The updated toolkit includes information for generating SyncML messages for the PalmOS and EPOC operating systems, as well as Windows 32 Server technology. The product also includes a full description of the XML-based SyncML format. www.syncml.org
Wireless devices
Philips
Philips and Levi Strauss & Co. will begin marketing jackets that integrate the Philips Xenium GSM phone and Rush MP3 player. The Industrial Clothing Design (IDC+) product range consists of four different jackets, which include the wireless products and microphones for wireless communications. Each of the four jacket styles contains a body area network using wires that are concealed to connect the mobile phone and MP3 player. Ear gear and microphone are integrated into the collars of the jackets. A unified remote control allows users to switch between the two electronics products. www.philips.com
Palm
Palm introduced four personal digital assistants (PDAs) as part of its new line of products. The line includes the m100, the Palm VIIx and two limited-edition Palm Vx PDAs. The m100 is Palm’s new entry-level product at US$150. It features custom casings with a variety of colors, as well as a notepad application for freehand notes, maps or drawings. The Palm VIIx is an updated version of the existing Palm VII embedded wireless access device. The new version features 8 Megabits of memory, four times that of the older version, as well as twice as many wireless Internet information channels at 40. Suggested retail price is US$450. Finally, the two limited-edition Palm Vx PDAs feature two different colors, “millennium blue” and “champagne” aluminum casings. Available in the United States only, they retail for US$400, exclusively through Palm’s online store. Palm also introduced several peripheral products, such as the Ethernet Cradle and PalmModem Connectivity Kit. www.palm.com
Motorola
Motorola introduced its i550plus multiservice digital wireless phone integrating Internet access, text paging and two-way radio capabilities into one handset. Motorola said the handset features extended battery life and supports keypad lock, backlight timer, speaker phone, last 10 numbers sent/received, a missed call indicator and “plus dialing,” providing faster access for international calls. www.mot.com
Nokia
Nokia introduced a new mobile phone with a special chat function that allows users to share instant text messages with others, be it mobile phone or desktop users. The 3310’s chat feature is based on short message service (SMS) technology, allowing it to send messages to other phones that do not have the same chat functionality but are text enabled, the company said. The phone also supports personalized standard messages, multiple send features and even graphics transmission
to appropriately enabled phones. It functions on GSM and extended GSM networks. It is expected to be available in
the fourth quarter. www.nokia.com
Broadband wireless equipment
Galleon Wireless
Galleon Wireless introduced its Outdoor Unit (ODU) radio transceiver for broadband wireless access communications. The unit integrates microwave monolithic integrated circuit (MMIC) technology, which decreases the number of components and manufacturing and maintenance costs required. The product provides up to 2 GHz of bandwidth with a 16-gigabit bandwidth yield. The ODU features a small, weatherproof housing into which one or a combination of three chipsets and filters can be inserted to support RF bands ranging from 23.5 GHz to 43.5 GHz. The unit maintains communications reliability and high signal quality through advanced Voltage Controlled Oscillator circuitry, which delivers high stability and low phase noise, the company said. www.galleonwireless.com
