The Wireless Web 7/2000
View my Powerpoint presentation - An
Introduction to the wireless web (.ppt)
- Where it is
- Where it's going
- How it's going to get there
Overview
In the next few years wireless technology will revolutionize the way people
use and access the Internet. Cell phones and hand-helds will eventually
become the widest used methods of connecting to the Web. Currently wireless
technology is being used to check e-mail, get news, check weather, get
stock quotes, and even buy and sell stocks. The Wireless Web will eventually
offer users endless capabilities, by capitalizing on new standards and
technologies being developed. Users will be able to do almost anything
that is possible from a wired Internet connection, without the limitations
of being physically connected.
The shift towards wireless:
Lately not a day goes by without a major company announcing a new alliance
or development involving wireless technology. Recent mergers and developments
include:
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Lucent and Sprint PCS are currently testing new wireless technology
capable of 2.4 mbps transfer speed.
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AT&T recently bought 3 wireless companies for $3.3 billion.
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Globalstar and Qualcomm have formed a partnership to offer Internet
and e-mail services on airline flights.
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AOL & Sprint formed "Wireless Web Gateway", their vision for implementing
AOL capable wireless devices everywhere.
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Motorola and Symbol Tech. Formed a $500 million wireless alliance,
to promote wireless e-commerce using embedded scanners.
The financial Industry is currently
shifting many of their services to enable wireless access.
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Schwab- 600,000 customers signed up for wireless page and phone alerts,
they will offer wireless trading in Sept. 2000.
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Fidelity currently has 65,000 wireless clients
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TD Waterhouse, E-Trade, Ameritrade are currently using Sprint PCS
for wireless trading.
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"This is going to be the year that we'll see whether customers are
going to adopt wireless trading"-Schwab
Wireless Technology:
WAP- wireless application protocol is
an open, global specification for wireless devices. It is a collection
of technologies and protocols that have become the default standard for
wireless connectivity. WAP was developed, and continues to be developed,
by the WAP Forum.
The WAP Forum is a collection of 200+
organizations that help to develop wireless standards, in order to ensure
compatibility among technologies. The WAP Forum wants to prevent situations
of incompatibility such as the battle between Internet Explorer, and Netscape
Navigator. The WAP forum was founded in 1997, by wireless leaders such
as Nokia, Ericsson, and Motorola.
WML- Wireless markup language, forms
the basis for WAP. It is a programming language similar to HTML and XML,
which is used to develop web pages (cards) that can be viewed by wireless
devices. Other technologies such as WML script (similar to JavaScript)
and WMBP (wireless graphics) are still in their early stages.
The Future of Wireless:
Third Generation (3G) wireless technology will soon allow users to experience
rich multimedia experiences from a wireless device. 3G wireless is the
emerging technology that will allow wireless Web surfers to connect at
speeds up to 2Mbps. This new technology will allow users to download and
play music on their cell phones, watch streaming video from a Palm Pilot,
and shop online while at the beach.
Estimates:
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Some are more conservative than others!
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By end of 2002, wireless subscribers with Internet access will outnumber
wired connections -International Data Corp.
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All new cell phones WAP capable by 2001 -International Data Corp.
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The mobile phone will become the most widely used Internet device,
reaching 1 billion by 2003 -WAP Forum
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525 million WAP enabled phones in U.S. and Europe by 2003, that equates
to 1/3 of Europe's population -Gartner Conclusion:
The emergence of new wireless technology will allow people to access
the web in ways they never imagined. Wireless devices, such as cell phones
or hand-helds, will allow users to get connected whenever or wherever
they want. |
