xHTML Basic is used to program wireless devices in the application of Mobile-business (M-business). M-business, or Mobile-business, refers to ebusiness enable by wireless communications and data. M-business is one of the newest frontiers in electronic communications. Though in its initial stages, m-business is growing rapidly. M-business has the ability to reach users effectively and allow them instant access to business-critical information and communications.
M-business differs significantly from e-business applications. Most wireless interfaces display only condensed text and basic graphics. Wireline communications, on the other hand, offer full-color, interactive, information-packed sites. Wireless transmission is also less secure than wireline transmissions.
Wireless access benefits businesses, employers, employees, and consumers. For employers and employees, wireless access provides the ability to communicate, access corporate databases, manage administrative tasks (such as answering e-mail and scheduling meetings), and enhance customer relations. Also, users can complete tasks during idle time- while waiting for a train, or standing in line at a bank.
Currently, accessing the Web through a wireless device is different than accessing the Web through wireline connections. Cell phone providers often charge by the minute, which is not economically conducive to surfing the Web via a wireless- enabled cell phone. Phone reception may be limited or unavailable, depending on the user’s location when the call is made. Also, small, monochromatic cell phone screens typically have low resolution, and cell phone keypads cause difficulty in entering long strings of information. To reduce the inconvenience, some personal digital assistants (PDAs) use a stylus, a miniature keyboard, and handwriting recognition technology to simplify data entry. Other wireless devices and services further accommodate users by offering radio buttons, checkboxes, and drop-down lists for entering information.
In the future, 3G technologies will help foster Web surfing via wireless devices. These technologies will enable faster connection speeds and the ability to download streaming audio and video.
Figure 1.1 shows an example of how XHTML Basic operation can be used to process information requests from mobile devices. This example shows that a user has sent movie time request from a Wireless device to their preferred entertainment information provider. This request is routed through the cellular tower and to the cellular system that forwards the request to the Internet using the selected Internet address of the information provider. The Internet routes the request to a WAP server. The WAP server determines that this request is for a document or information that is written in XHTML Basic and stored on the WAP server. The XHTML Basic program is accessed, and the requested data is sent via the Internet through the cellular tower to the wireless device for display. The requested data could be any web site that, for example, has been converted to XHTML Basic from HTML so that it can be displayed correctly on any wireless device.
