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 "Inspect The Gadgets"
Since we’re heavy on the subject of Java in WAP, what better place to visit than Javasoft. Specifically, check out their "gadgets" page! Remember our cool scenario with your "special ring"? Well, this is where you’ll find the skinny on that! A note though: Before you get "overly" excited about what you see, take another look at the date (in the URL)!! Now…….how far "behind the times" do you feel?? But, don’t worry. Even though those "gadgets" have been out a while, you have to remember that much of the industry wasn’t ready until recently, for such technologies. Which brings us to another topic…the best which we’ve been saving for last…….
 "Wireless Video Is Upon Us!"
You’ve heard the name……but you’ve never seen an Emblaze.com like this before! The newly named "Emblaze Systems" boasts the world’s first end-to-end commercial solution for streaming video of wireless networks. Through very strategic alliances, Emblaze has become a world leader by partnering with companies that allow them to offer everything needed to make wireless video a reality. From servers to software to handsets, Emblaze opens a new-age market for the industry.
At the crux of Emblaze, is its servers and encoders which do a lot more than just give customers a place to host their pages! Take a look:
There are three main components to the Emblaze solution. You may be most interested in the "Wireless Device Solution". This allows users to decode and playback video over any other devices like cell phones and PDAs. Through the Emblaze technologies, hardware and software, any wireless device can even receive live video transmissions like this:
Just when you thought it was safe
to go back in the water….
Now you’re on video there too! J
Currently Emblaze technologies are geared only toward high-end commercial uses. What that means is, you’re not likely to be able to just download their cool software, buy their server and become an instant streaming video professional. Because Emblaze’s technology is so advanced, most of the world just isn’t ready for it. Remember, the "critical mass" has yet to even be saturated by cell phones!
But, like every "new thing" to hit market, costs of the Emblaze systems will come down, and its "type" of technology will become more popular. In light of this, it warrants further research on your part as a developer to truly understand what’s ahead of you in the streaming wireless world.
To see the full gamut of what Emblaze can do, go to Emblaze.com and check out their Wireless Solution Demo.
 "What Are YOU Looking At?"
Throughout our series on WAP, we’ve noted how rapidly the industry is changing, and we’ve seen what’s around the corner. By now, you’re probably one smart cookie if you’re thinking there’s a new "fortune" in the world of wireless web! I’d have to wager you’re right!
Whether some "suits" of the world choose to acknowledge wireless web technologies or not, doesn’t matter. The fact remains, it’s coming to a phone near you!
 "Go East Young Man"
Since you’ve been here and peered through that wireless crystal ball, your boss may begin to consider you clairvoyant when in 6 months, he sees you’ve already built a host of applications, ready to deploy to that "critical mass".
But, once you’ve become the shining star of your office, what will be your encore? Where will you look for more advanced information? Who will be there to fire up your crystal ball one more time? I think The Wiseman says to "look east"!
With telecom giants like NTT DoCoMo (cool site, but you’ll need a translator!) working together with other very prominent U.S. Telcos, wireless web in North America is a sure thing. And what about DoCoMo’s I-mode? I-mode uses cHTML (compact HTML) which is said to be more efficient than WML. Will I-mode overcome WML? It’s hard to tell just yet. But, keep an eye open beyond your backyard, and you at least may be ready for any changes that affect your developments!
If you go further east (or west depending on where your flight originates), head over to Europe and check out Ericcson’s pages about " Wideband Code Division Multiple-Access" (WCDMA). Trumpeted as the "wideband radio pipe for 3G", Ericcson is leading the way to bringing those 2mbps speeds right to the palm of your hand! Of course, until you jump on that bandwagon, Ericcson’s pages on WAP development will be a good source for your crystal ball as well.
Well, hope you’ve found this series on WAP informative and a good source to help get you started developing in the wireless world! J
Tune in next time when we’ll fire up the ol’ crystal ball once again and take a look at the latest rage and easiest way to create "flash" pages…….with SWiSH!
Until then…….happy webbing!
The KROW
Contributing Writer
club.coolmaps.com
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