Wireless Industry Partnership

Multiple devices - faced with a multitude of choices, developers can either develop for the biggest selling devices or specialize in one particular vendor

Limited bandwidth - although wireless networks offer broadband data capabilities, throughput can vary which requires memory management systems, optimized graphics, and data compression

Multiple operating systems - your choice of Java ME, Brew, Windows Mobile, or others will dramatically influence graphic richness and user experience of the application

More complex usability - the ideal user interface for a small screen and a small (if any) keyboard differs significantly from desktop/laptop systems

A different user context - the mobile environment provides opportunities unavailable to web developers such as location-specific data, on-the-go messaging, and voice communication

More complex development process - the fragmented nature of the mobile environment requires a unique methodology that leverages development frameworks to create source code that is optimized for portability

Geography matters - each region has different characteristics such as mobile data use, levels of operator control, predominant standards, and prevailing operating systems

Restricted distribution - unlike the open environment of the web where anyone can create and upload content, the mobile world is still largely controlled by devices and network operators

Infrastructure - mobile network equipment, routers, switches

Wireless Devices - phones, PDA, reading devices, GPS units

Platform/Middleware - applications that assist with wireless applications development and porting

Native Application - embedded application designed to run on a single operating system, platform or device

Runtime Application - a group of applications that are used in a mobile environment but do not depend on the device O/S or platform to operate

Web Application - an application that accesses the Internet to provide pages to a mobile device

Content - any type of media which is viewed or used on mobile phones, like ring tones, graphics, games and movies

Concept - ideas are refined to a product concept and tested for market demand and a business model

Design - concepts is further developed through detailed designs, functional specifications, system analysis, and prototyping

Development - designs are developed into a fully functioning application

Testing & Certification - applications are tested to ensure it is usable, reliable, efficient and portable

Porting - applications are adapted for use in one or more mobile environments

Go To Market - complete application is launched to the marketplace where they will be accessed by end users

Backfilling - based on responses from the market, the application is modified to meet user needs

Devices/OEMs - phones, PDAs, reading devices and GPS units

Operating Systems & Platforms - mobile-software on top of which other programs run

Network Equipment Vendors - provide equipment for wireless communication networks

Mobile Operator (Carrier) - operate transmission services to users of wireless devices

Aggregators/Channels - brings together the content and applications from multiple users and forwards the combined materials

Tool Providers - helps developers create applications better and faster. Tools can help with software development, messaging, commerce, network access, security, advertising, multimedia, LBS, user interface design, and performance analysis

Organizations - nonprofits that provide information, support and resources to wireless developers

Service Companies - provides business services to wireless developers