Wireless Internet & m-Business

 

  • Anticipate over 600 million third-generation wirelsess subscribers by 2010.
  • Wireless-enabled e-business (m-business) is expected to claim 16% of wireless industry by 2005.
  • By 2004, wirless purchases worldwide to be 200 billion."Unleasing th e Power of Wireless Marking", 8 Nov. 2000, D. Wilson, www.allnetdevices.com
  • Business to employee communications is one area where current wireless capabilities make sense. (think UPS, transport, sales).
  • Currently 2002- average cost of building a WAP wireless application is 30-100K and takes 1-6 months to complete. "The Internet Unplugged," Fortune Tech Guide: 161.

 

Some Terms:

  • WAP = Wireless Application Protocol
  • WML = Wireless Markup Language
  • Palm WebApplication = web application built for Palm devices
  • WTLS = Wireless Transport Layer Security, protocol developed to protect information as it travels over wireless network. (does not protect on wired network)
  • 1st generation wireless technologies = e.g analog cellular phone
  • 2nd generation wireless technologies = e.g. digital devices such as PCS (Personal Communication System), GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication, CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), TDMA (Time Division Multiple Acess. These 2G technologies are circuit switched.
  • 3rd generation wireless technologies = much higher speeds of connection. Goal to support transmission of multiple data types (video, audio, voice, data and others). Some protocols being developed: W-CDMA (wideband code division multiple access). HSCSD (high speed circuit switch data), GPRS (general packet radio service), CDMA2000, EDGE (Enhanced data rates for global evolution).
  • 2.5 generation wireless technologies = in between 2 and 3 G, uses packet-switching.

 

Evolution of Platforms/Programming Languages:

  • HDML - handheld device markup language. initial wireless markup language. Not used anymore...replaced by WAP/WML
  • WAP/WML - WAP is wireless application protocol and describes how different wireless devices can communication and access Internet using WML which is a markuplanguge. WML like HTML is a set of tags that specify a limited version of web-pages for wireless devices.
  • Java 2 Micro Edition (J2ME) - is java's platform for wireless application development. As is platform independent can develop a single application and deploy it on different wireless devices.
  • BREW - developmed by Qualcomm Incorporated, stands for Binary Run-Time Environment for Wireless. Like J2ME allows development for multiple devices, such as navigation assistance, instant messaging, etc. Developed specifically for cell phones as a standard that will work on any BREW-enabled cell phone as individual standards for each phone is different. Can use C++ with the BREW Softward Development Kit.
  • Bluetooth - is a communication technology that allows a personal area network to recognize and communicate wirelessly with devices that are withing 10 meters. Think of this as a Short-Range Wireless Communications Protocol. E.g. if you are passing Macy's your phone could be alerted (and you) of the current sales.

 

 

Commercial Applications

  • i-mode: wireless network in Japan, millions of subscribers. Offers voice services with text messaging, animated graphics, web browsing using a compact version of HTML called cHTML.
  • Snaz.com: an online-shopping portal where can shop wirelessly.
  • Many sites have wireless versions of some of there offerings/services such as Amazon.com, Buy.com.
  • Banks and brokers offers wireless access. E.g. Fidelity's InstantBroker lets you trade, manage portfolio with wireless device.
  • Auto companies looking at developing devices and services for in the car.
© Lynne Grewe