WAP 2.0 eases development for small Net devices

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By George A. Chidi

(IDG) -- The WAP (WIRELESS Application Protocol) Forum industry group released Version 2.0 of its specification for communications and application display on Internet-connected wireless devices, promoting its compatibility with XHTML (extensible HTML) as an improvement developers have needed.

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Information presented in the XHTML format on a regular Web page can also be displayed on any cell phone, PDA, or other wireless device that incorporates WAP 2.0, without translation to another display language or protocol, said Scott Goldman, CEO of the WAP Forum. Previously, if developers wanted to create Web applications or pages that could be displayed properly on a cell phone screen, they needed to use WML (Wireless Markup Language), which is incorporated into WAP, in addition to HTML or another basic Web page markup language for PC-based displays.

The goal of the new WAP standard was to facilitate development of applications for multiple types of devices, Goldman said.

"Like any other kind of expert ... when you use the same tools over and over, you get better," he said. "Developers don't have to learn any new code."

WAP 2.0 also includes the first release of Multimedia Messaging Services, permitting users to send multimedia messages the way cell phone users currently use SMS (Short Message System) instant messaging, only with the ability to combine sounds with images and text. It also integrates an evolved version of WAP Push, an instant notification system useful for alerting users the moment something interesting happens, like an auction closing or a stock price reaching a certain level.

The WAP Forum was founded by a group of companies including L.M. Ericsson Telephone, Nokia and Motorola to promote wireless Internet protocols for mobile devices. The companies announced Wednesday their phones will support WAP 2.0.