**Vodafone, dotMobi, Nokia & others unveil "DeviceAtlas" to iron out mobile Web**

[Vision]

DeviceAtlas is now live...

What is DeviceAtlas?

02/12/08 4:00 AM PT
dotMobi is an organization that aims to smooth out the often bumpy process of navigating the Web on a mobile device. Its new DeviceAtlas tool provides data on handsets from early models of data-capable mobile phones to the very latest smart mobile devices so that developers can create so-called device-aware content with the most up-to-date information available.

A big bugaboo standing in the way of making m-commerce a bankable asset is about to be squashed.

Until early this morning, enterprises had to crawl their way through hundreds of handset specs to develop mobile Web sites to fit each. Today they can hit the ground running. dotMobi has launched a low-to-no cost, comprehensive database of global mobile handset information to assist Web developers in creating "device-aware" content.

"There are many sources for device data, but they are scattered throughout developer forums and embedded into various products. DeviceAtlas is a single, definitive source of device information," Paul Nerger, vice president of advanced services and applications at dotMobi, told TechNewsWorld.

"We want to act as the lubricant to make the mobile Web turn," he said.

Consumers have long been disgruntled with the mobile Web experience, which to date has consisted of either squeezing the Net browser onto a 2-inch, pocket-sized screen or searching through a somewhat pathetic selection of pithy m-commerce sites.

"The mobile phone browser has been seen largely as a disabled Internet browser. We want to make the mobile browser into a power all its own," says Nerger.

"We think enterprise will move from 'dotcom think,' where the mobile Web site is just a scaled down version of the Internet site, to 'mobile com think' where the site is built specifically for mobile, including a one-click feature to dial the phone number from a link," added Nerger.

dotMobi envisions its new developer tool will drive the Web into the mobile realm, as a ton of new mobile Web sites will appear seemingly overnight.

"With the downturn in the economy, organizations need new avenues to try to reach customers, and mobile commerce has already been appealing to that need. The increased economic pressure will turn it up a notch," Philippe Winthrop, research director of wireless and mobility at Aberdeen Group, told TechNewsWorld.

"The old ways are no longer working. Television viewing is down and readership of newspapers and magazines are down. Advertisers are going to aggressively move to the venue that they know most consumers readily have at hand: their mobile phones," adds Winthrop.

Who's on First?
Nokia (NYSE: NOK) , Vodafone (NYSE: VOD) , Telecom Italia Mobile, Argogroup, Volantis, Zandan and many other mobile operators, handset manufacturers and developers from around the world are working with dotMobi to collate and continually refine information on handset attributes.

"The introduction of DeviceAtlas will help Internet Web developers and content providers build tailored Internet experiences for a range of devices. As Nokia expands from a handset company to offer a range of Internet services -- making these experiences powerful and valuable is very important," said Timo Skytta, Nokia's head of technology management.

The tool provides data on handsets from early models of data-capable mobile phones to the very latest smart mobile devices so that developers can create so-called device aware content with the most up-to-date information available.

"DeviceAtlas is a great tool to help mobile developers create a personalized and valuable mobile Web experience for their users," Peter Thompson of Vodafone Group R&D said.

The Scoop on Scope
dotMobi recognized the need to solve the challenges developers face in creating content for literally thousands of different handset and software combinations," says dotMobi CEO Trey Harvin. "We've worked hard to deliver what is the most comprehensive, accurate intelligence on mobile devices around the world through DeviceAtlas."

DeviceAtlas allows information to be shared with the global development community and to be updated online. The approach simplifies the development process and enables developers to create the best possible experience for users. Along with the free, Web-based version, users can access a local copy of the DeviceAtlas database via an application programming interface (API) for a modest annual fee.

"DeviceAtlas helps developers of all sizes build better mobile Web applications that adapt to -- and are optimized for -- the widest possible range of mobile devices with structured, accurate data. This also means device data will be available for everyone, regardless of company's size, because of the low costs of DeviceAtlas. In fact, access to the Web site version of the database is completely free, and we will provide one free DeviceAtlas Developer Edition license to every member of the http://dev.mobi developer forum," added Nerger.

"The initial release of DeviceAtlas only represents the start of an ever-evolving tool for the mobile development community," James Pearce, vice president of technology at dotMobi, said. "The road map for the next few months includes further property vocabularies, a full test suite, the ability of all community members to provide additional data, and compatibility with W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) recommendations."

DeviceAtlas Supporting Quotes
Nokia
"The introduction of DeviceAtlas will help Internet web developers and content providers build tailored Internet experiences for a range of devices. As Nokia expands from a handset company to offer a range of Internet services – making these experiences powerful and valuable is very important. With DeviceAtlas, developers and content providers can easily reference a comprehensive device catalogue and enhance the user experience by developing specific experiences for specific devices features."
- Timo Skytta, Head of Technology Management, Nokia

Vodafone
"DeviceAtlas is a great tool to help mobile developers create a personalized and valuable mobile web experience for their users. We plan to promote DeviceAtlas as a tool for mobile developers through our open innovation platform, www.betavine.net."
- Peter Thompson, Vodafone Group R&D

TIM
"With a plethora of different Mobile Devices in the market, DeviceAtlas offers developers and entire ecosystem the unique opportunity to successfully boost the development of the Mobile Internet for the next future."
- Gaetano Liggieri, responsible for .mobi initiative, Telecom Italia

Mobitel
"Building effective, usable mobile web sites is vitally important in the development and uptake of the mobile internet. With DeviceAtlas web developers are able to create specific mobile web experiences for users on a range of different devices by accessing the database. We are delighted to be able to support it."
- Miha Valencic, Technical Consultant, Mobitel

Future Platforms
"DeviceAtlas is a fantastic new attempt to address the fragmentation issues inherent in mobile. We certainly see it as an excellent means of solving this problem and delivering delightful mobile web experiences."
- Tom Hume, Managing Director, Future Platforms

Paddy Power
"Paddy Power is excited to be working together with dotMobi to deliver a superior mobile betting solution to our customers. DeviceAtlas provides access to the device specific data required to develop a mobile product tailored exactly to the needs of our customers."
- Kevin Furlong, Sportsbook Manager

Adimo
"DeviceAtlas is an invaluable tool that enables developers who have neither the time nor resources to access a reliable and powerful database of device information. In terms of the development of the mobile web, it is crucially important to deliver effective sites and a satisfactory end user experience. DeviceAtlas ensures that developers have all the tools at their disposal whenever they need them helping them build successful sites."
- Anna Caracolias, CEO, Adimo

Bango
"There is nothing more important than accurate, up-to-date device information from a credible, independent source. Whether it’s to maximize your site's capabilities for each visiting phone, ensure the correct media is delivered after a mobile purchase or to truly understand market trends as part of a mobile web analytics solution, DeviceAtlas delivers the bedrock required to build success on mobile."
- Andy Bovingdon, Vice President of Product Marketing, Bango

CGI Group, Inc.
"After years of niche existence, mobile services are now moving mainstream. The increasing acceptance is driven by an improving user experience, for which a device-specific presentation is important. CGI Germany supported the beta phase of DeviceAtlas with its profound experience in this area."
- Agnes Hombrecher, Vice President Consulting Services, CGI Information Systems and Management Consultants (Deutschland) GmbH

AccuWeather
"AccuWeather is delighted to participate in the launch of DeviceAtlas. We have worked with the excellent folks at dotMobi during the last few months and have been pleased with the level of the service they have been able to offer. AccuWeather mobile web site is one of the top destinations on the mobile web and we only work with the best vendors who can offer highly reliable services."
- Douglas M. Yule, Director of Research and Development, AccuWeather, Inc.

iLoop Mobile
"The mobile handset market is extremely dynamic. There are millions of legacy devices in the market as well as new, feature-rich handsets being released continuously. Mobile platform solution providers and content developers must be device agnostic and have the ability to adapt to changes in existing handsets and new handsets in real-time to ensure that consumers have a rich and fulfilling experience with their content and solution offerings. DeviceAtlas is the most comprehensive and cost-effective solution for accessing mobile device profile data, worldwide, and we have benefited greatly from the service."
- Michael Becker, EVP Business Development, iLoop Mobile, Inc.

Here are links to aforementioned passages:

http://www.technewsworld.com/story/m...ome=1202819888

http://mtld.mobi/node/961

[jasdon11]

Interesting news Vision.

This mTLD; is it the same mTLD that apparently takes domainers money and runs? And the same one that is selling 'bags of smoke'? That are only in it for a quick buck? That fixes domain auctions? Surely not - there must be two of them....

BTW, this post isn't meant as a flame, or even to lead to a discussion - just to reaffirm to doubters who have said such things in the past, that mTLD are proactive in furthering the extension, which sort of disproves what they (doubters) claimed.

[Vision]

Interesting news Vision.

This mTLD; is it the same mTLD that apparently takes domainers money and runs? And the same one that is selling 'bags of smoke'? That are only in it for a quick buck? That fixes domain auctions? Surely not - there must be two of them....

Yup, the same mTLD.

All those Oxford educated gents.

[seanboy]

Why should I pay for this when WURFL is free?