Beta SDK Supports Mobile Web Applications

With the addition of the .NET Mobile Web SDK to its .NET Framework, Microsoft is expanding its presence in the burgeoning wireless device market. This market is an important arena for Microsoft, at a time when PC sales are slumping. The .NET Mobile Web SDK supports small wireless devices running Internet browser software, and it will enable developers to more easily create applications for a wide range of both Windows and non-Windows–based mobile devices and the servers that support them.

Why Wireless Devices Are Important

According to Matti Alahuhta, president, Nokia Mobile Phones (one of the largest manufacturers of cell phones), “[By] our estimate, as early as 2003 the number of mobile devices capable of Internet access will exceed the number of PCs connected to the Internet.” The web phone market is projected to expand from about 10 million today to more than 100 million by 2003 in the United States alone. Researchers report similar growth expectations for Europe. Especially significant is the increasing use of wireless devices in large enterprises for staff and customer access to corporate services. Yet, few wireless devices are built on Microsoft platforms and, at a time when PC sales are flattening, it is important for Microsoft to participate in this growth segment of the computing market. Microsoft is trying to participate in the wireless market in several ways: servers (such as Mobile Information Server) host the connected applications that wireless devices need; small operating systems (Windows CE and soon .NET Compact) support local applications on wireless devices; future devices (the “Stinger” phone and the Tablet PC) will use wireless connectivity; and now, with the .NET Mobile Web SDK, Microsoft enables developers to build applications targeted at any Web-enabled wireless device, regardless of whether it is Windows-capable.