ad info

 
CNN.com  technology > computing
    Editions | myCNN | Video | Audio | Headline News Brief | Feedback  

 

  Search
 
 

 
TECHNOLOGY
TOP STORIES

Consumer group: Online privacy protections fall short

Guide to a wired Super Bowl

Debate opens on making e-commerce law consistent

(MORE)

TOP STORIES

More than 11,000 killed in India quake

Mideast negotiators want to continue talks after Israeli elections

(MORE)

MARKETS
4:30pm ET, 4/16
144.70
8257.60
3.71
1394.72
10.90
879.91
 


WORLD

U.S.

POLITICS

LAW

ENTERTAINMENT

HEALTH

TRAVEL

FOOD

ARTS & STYLE



(MORE HEADLINES)
*
 
CNN Websites
Networks image


Wireless services broaden handheld reach

InfoWorld

May 3, 2000
Web posted at: 9:29 a.m. EDT (1329 GMT)

(IDG) -- The gap between wired and wireless access to information will narrow Tuesday when OmniSky launches a wireless service for the Palm V platform --- as well as for additional handheld platforms later in the year.

Meanwhile, next week business users of wireless devices will gain another strong solution provider, with AvantGo set to offer its Enterprise Solution server suite as an online service to large corporate customers and independent software vendors. The service will host Web-based business-to-business applications for access from handheld devices.

  MESSAGE BOARD
 

Tuesday's announcement from OmniSky follows a half-year beta program that offered consumers a custom-built Novatel wireless modem, a browser, and the use of the AT&T Wireless CDPD network for $299. OmniSky will now offer a similar solution, with a flat-rate for wireless access expected to cost around $50 per month from AT&T Wireless.

Palm V users will have access to approximately 2,000 links on a single portal from 80 service providers as well as the ability to access most Web sites by typing in the URL.

MORE COMPUTING INTELLIGENCE
IDG.net   IDG.net home page
  InfoWorld home page
  InfoWorld forums home page
  InfoWorld Test Center
  E-BusinessWorld
  Reviews & in-depth info at IDG.net
  IDG.net's personal news page
  Year 2000 World
  Questions about computers? Let IDG.net's editors help you
  Subscribe to IDG.net's free daily newsletter for IT leaders
  Search IDG.net in 12 languages
  News Radio
  * Fusion audio primers
  * Computerworld Minute

"Once installed, the OmniSky browser becomes the home page," said Amanda Higgins, an OmniSky spokesperson.

Omnisky, with major backing from both Palm Computing and Aether Systems, will use Aether's ScoutWeb technology for on-the-fly reformatting of Web sites to fit the display sizes of most personal digital assistants.

Later this year, the company plans to offer similar solutions on both Win CE devices and cellular handsets. All of the solutions have a similar target market, according to OmniSky CEO Pat McVeigh.

"Our target market is the sophisticated mobile professional with e-mail and Web content [needed as] a key part," McVeigh said.

AvantGo has a different target market with its AvantGo Enterprise Online service.

"We had two customers in mind when we created this service, the Fortune 1000 customer and the ISV who is already delivering a Web app to a desktop. They are asking, 'How do I get my Web application onto these [handheld] devices?' and that's what Enterprise Online is about," said Eric Lundstedt, product manager at AvantGo.

Lundsted also said corporate customers are looking for increased security.

"SSL [Secure Sockets Layer] is the first check box," Lundstedt said.

Later in year the authentication certificates will be added to the suite of applications, with encryption to follow. However, encryption on the handheld devices remains problematic due to their small memory footprint and lack of processing power, according to Lundstedt.

The Enterprise Online service will be offered to companies on a pay-as-you-go basis, based on number of users, and will work on cellular phones as well as personal digital assistants.



RELATED STORIES:
The wireless world becomes useful in 2000
March 1, 2000
The wireless world becomes useful in 2000
January 4, 2000
WAP-enabled phones to get voice interface
December 27, 1999
Microsoft makes the move to wireless phone market
December 10, 1999
Intel unveils Bluetooth technology for notebooks
December 9, 1999
Acer, Widcomm team on Bluetooth devices
November 18, 1999
Wireless data encryption due for handhelds
August 3, 1999
Lucent makes bold claims for wireless technology
July 16, 1999

RELATED IDG.net STORIES:
Americans are taking over Euro mobile market
InfoWorld
Wireless Palms challenge phones
PC World
Wireless Web access will be vital
Computerworld
AT&T offers flat-rate wireless data for $14.99/month
Computerworld
Wireless Web surfers to outnumber wired crowd by 2003
Computerworld

RELATED SITES:
AvantGo Inc.
OmniSky Inc.

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window
External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.

 Search   

Back to the top   © 2001 Cable News Network. All Rights Reserved.
Terms under which this service is provided to you.
Read our privacy guidelines.