Openwave launches new color browser for mobile phones, comprehensive multimedia content manager for mass-market Java-enabled mobile phones

September 25, 2002

4 Min Read

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. -- Openwave Systems Inc., the worldwide leader of open IP-based communication infrastructure software and applications, today announced that it has launched its newest version of Openwave Mobile Browser, version 6.1. Providing consumers with an easier way to discover, download and experience new mobile services such as games, ringtones, Java applications and other types of rich content, Openwave Mobile Browser is now available on the PCS Phone by LG Model 5350. Highly configurable and globally compatible, this latest version builds on last year's successful release for the Japanese market, which has shipped in more than two million handsets with colour screens since its launch nine months ago. Version 6.1 is now being configured to ship in 35 mobile phone models from more than 20 manufacturers in every wireless market around the world. Openwave Mobile Browser brings new capabilities to consumers, including:

  • Support for animated GIF and colour support for all popular image formats, adding to existing capabilities for displaying monochrome GIF, JPEG and other popular image formats

  • Improved WAP Push usability, enabling users to receive notification messages and timely, personalised content in a graphical format and allowing for a greater level of interactivity

  • Autofill, a feature exclusive to Openwave Mobile Browser that remembers and automatically enters URLs, names, addresses ? anything that a user previously typed

  • A "save" feature allowing users to save and organise images and sounds from the web pages they browse, so that content can be used to personalise their phone

  • A "snapshot" feature allowing users to save web pages for later off-line viewing

  • Support for cookies and an authentication "wallet", making it easier for sites to recognise return customers and enable secure, one-click shopping

  • XHTML and Wireless Cascading Style Sheets (WCSS), part of the WAP 2.0 specification, allowing mobile content to appear in colour and in a format more familiar and inviting to subscribers who already use the Web on a PC

"Drawing on the popularity and success of our mobile browser technology -- which has shipped in 300 million handsets worldwide -- we are helping Sprint and LG deliver an enhanced user experience," says Thomas Reardon, co-CTO, Openwave. "Consumer adoption of mobile applications rises dramatically with faster networks and colour screens. Utilising our software, the LG 5350 will help spur mobile phone usage beyond voice calls and into data applications." In a separate release: Openwave Systems Inc., the worldwide leader of open IP-based communication infrastructure and software applications, today announced Openwave Mobile JAM Plus, a comprehensive multimedia content manager for mass market Java technology-enabled mobile phones. Available for phones shipping in mid-2003, this new product, which is being demonstrated this week at the JavaOne Japan Conference, will provide manufacturers using Openwave Mobile Browser with an efficient and compelling way to implement and integrate Java technology. "Java technology is a critical, core handset ingredient ? and just like the browser it is far too important for it to be an island on the phone," said Thomas Reardon, co-CTO, Openwave Systems. "Openwave Mobile JAM Plus brings Java technology to the fore by unifying and improving the overall user experience. Downloading and managing all kinds of content and applications ? whether photos, Java applications or ring tones ? will provide a more simple, fun and consistent experience on the mobile phone." Openwave Mobile JAM Plus addresses two important market needs for 2003. It meets handset vendor requirements for easier Java integration and faster time to market, while also providing key features that enhance and unify the user experience on the mobile phone. Product features include:

  • Content and Applications Catalog: Mobile Operators can publish a catalog that resides on the handset, making it easier for users to find and download content so that specific carrier-selected content can be promoted.

  • Full standards compliant content download manager using Mobile Information Device Profile (MIDP) 1.0, Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) Download and WAP Digital Rights Management (DRM) and plans to be compliant with MIDP 2.0 upon finalisation of the standard. Content can be securely downloaded and sold without risk to content owner intellectual property rights.

  • Photo previews, zooming and enhancements, plus integration with messaging and camera software on the handset, providing users with a consistent way to manage and share photos.

With Openwave Mobile JAM Plus, Openwave together with selected virtual machine partners plans to offer a complete MIDP 2.0 environment. The environment will fully integrate Openwave Mobile JAM Plus and a Java technology compatible virtual machine implementation with Openwave Mobile Browser. Handset vendors will be able to expedite time-to-market by significantly reducing the incremental porting effort currently required to implement Java technology environments on their phones and offer interoperability between browser and Java technology environments. This will substantially reduce in-house development time for manufacturers, helping them meet 2003 Java technology requirements faster and at reduced costs. Openwave Systems Inc.

Subscribe and receive the latest news from the industry.
Join 62,000+ members. Yes it's completely free.

You May Also Like