Openwave

(Openwave Systems Inc., Redwood City, CA, www.openwave.com) A software company that provides an application infrastructure for wireless data. Its microbrowsers and server software enable cellphones and other wireless devices to retrieve stock quotes, e-mail and other data from the Web. Founded in 1994 as Libris, Inc., the company changed its name to Unwired Planet in 1996 and introduced its microbrowser on AT&T's Wireless PocketNet service using the HDML markup language. In 1997, Unwired Planet (UP) launched the WAP Forum with Ericsson, Motorola and Nokia, which turned HDML into WML (Wireless Markup Language) and introduced a complete wireless protocol stack. In 1999, Unwired Planet changed its name to Phone.com. In late 2000, Phone.com merged with Software.com to become Openwave. See Openwave Mobile Access Gateway, Openwave Mobile Browser, WAP and T9.

Openwave Applications

Openwave has been the major contributor to the development of smartphone interfaces. Since there is precious little screen real estate, there is only room for straightforward and simple designs, which can provide a welcome relief from the massive information overload the Web normally delivers. (Image courtesy of Openwave Systems Inc.)