|
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
Nokia and Intel Provide Narrowband Sockets Technology (NBS)
March 19, 1997
Nokia and Intel announced at CeBIT '97 in Hannover the immediate availability of the Narrowband Sockets (NBS) specification v1.0 and implementations for Microsoft Windows* NT and Windows 9x platforms. Narrowband Sockets enable software developers to create wireless messaging applications for mobile PC and SmartPhone users using the familiar socket programming interface.
"Narrowband Sockets is a key technology for enabling new uses of PCs with wireless messaging networks," said Jim Valerio, Director of Mobile Communications at Intel. "Applications using NBS can automatically deliver your e-mail, calendar updates, and personalized news to your mobile PC, wherever you are. And because wireless messaging networks provide store and forward services, the data can be stored in the network until your PC is turned on and in coverage."
MobileWare Corporation, an independent software vendor, demonstrated a pre-release version of its WebMirror" Communications Server Software utilizing Narrowband Sockets to connect mobile PC’s using GSM’s Short Messaging Service (SMS) at the CeBIT’97 conference in Hannover, Germany. "A combination of WebMirror" and the NBS services will provide customers complete integration between their notebook PC’s, GSM digital wireless phones, and their corporate network systems. This solution will support a wide variety of applications including e-mail, database, file transfer and internet access. We are excited to be working with Nokia and Intel on this technology," said Jack Blount, President and CEO of MobileWare Corporation.
In addition, Nokia demonstrated an implementation of NBS for the Nokia 8110i mobile phone which enabled dynamic ring tone and menu item downloads, as well as routing messages to Nokia’s new phone browser, Nokia Artus Netgate known in the US as Nokia TTML Gateway.
Narrowband Sockets defines an efficient implementation of UDP datagram and store and forward services over wireless messaging networks. NBS allows developers to use existing WinSock 2 and MAPI programming interfaces to send and receive short messages without needing expert knowledge of the underlying network. The current NBS implementation, developed by Intel and Nokia, provides NBS functionality for GSM networks, the most deployed digital wireless technology worldwide. NBS is based on Windows Open System Architecture (WOSA), thus any third party developer can provide implementations for other messaging networks, such as REFLEX, pACT, and SMS in CDMA and TDMA.
"Narrowband Sockets clearly addresses the growing demand for information, anywhere at any time," said Steve Ballard, Director, Nokia Telecommunications, Wireless Data Systems. "NBS utilizes Nokia’s experience in providing standards-based, easy to use and cost effective data access over wireless networks, and Intel’s experience in providing solutions for mobile PCs and hand-held devices. NBS technology will allow existing and new applications to be "mobile-aware", using existing WinSock API’s without having to know about the actual wireless network that is being used."
"The integration of circuit switched and short messaging services for communication over the GSM network will make the use of wireless data easier and more efficient. The announced products will help deliver on the Mobile Data Initiative promise of bringing together the PC and GSM industry and develop better solutions for GSM connected PC user," added Johann Weber, Director of Wireless Communications at Intel.
Intel and Nokia are offering royalty free licenses to the Narrowband Sockets specification and implementations. Revision 1.0 of the Narrowband Sockets specification, beta release, and license agreement can be found on the Internet at: http://www.intel.com/ial/nbs/ and http://www.club.nokia.com/.
Intel, the world's largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of personal computer, networking, and communications products. Through innovative technologies, Intel is committed to improving the Internet experience for PC consumers. Additional information is available at www.intel.com.
MobileWare Corporation is a privately held company, funded by Compaq Computer Corporation, Informix Software, Inc., InterWest Partners, ITOCHU TECHNO-SCIENCE Corporation, Sevin Rosen Funds and SVM STAR Ventures. For more information about MobileWare Corporation, visit its Web site at www.webmirror.com.
Note to the editors:
Mobitex is a trademark of the Swedish Telecommunications Administration.
Nokia is a trademark of Nokia OY
ReFLEX is trademarks of Motorola, Inc.
WebMirror is a trademark of MobileWare Corporation
Windows, Windows NT and Windows 95 are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation
| |
