The platform, named Openwave Phone Tools version 7.0 (OPTv7), has been built entirely using World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) specifications for mobile data services. It includes integrated modules for messaging, internet browsing, a file and application manager, and a common application platform consisting of a high-performance graphics engine, an XML-based customization architecture, and a common interface to phone hardware.

Openwave VP and general manager, Thomas Reardon, described the platform to ComputerWire as the first real alternative to Windows CE and Symbian in getting browsing and messaging into the mass market although he said it is not an operating system as such.

Rather, the company sees OPTv7 as a common middleware platform for low-end mobile devices that have so far struggled to attain interoperability between different manufacturers’ implementations of the relevant technologies. We’re trying to be the definitive ‘glue’ between Java and the browser, said Reardon.

It also allows OEMs to reuse underlying pieces of their own handset architecture, helping time to market and keeping down costs. We wanted to make sure we created an application for EMS to reuse a lot of the graphical software built into handsets. What they’re really trying to do is amortize their graphics investment, Reardon said.

He said that four of Openwave’s OEMs will ship handsets based on OPTv7 this year, although the he would only name Sharp Electronics Co Ltd as a licensee. Sharp is expected to make an announcement regarding its use of Openwave’s software this week.

Messaging standards supported in OPTv7 include MMS, EMS, SMS and email, while both MMS and web browsing are enabled using the XHTML-enabled and WAP2.0-compliant Openwave Mobile Browser.

Other enhancements include Wireless Village presence and instant messaging support and a high-performance graphics engine developed by former BeOS and Apple technicians. We have some unique IP here. There’s nothing like it on a phone today, said Reardon.

Reardon also admitted that Openwave is looking at stretching the idea of OPTv7 to include Qualcomm Inc’s Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless (BREW) technology. If you take it as a real OS and add the features of version 7, you get a pretty complete end-to-end solution, he said. However, he added that the company has nothing to announce on this front as yet.

OPTv7 is designed for handsets running a minimum of a 40MHz ARM7 chip, 4MB of ROM and 2MB of RAM.

Source: Computerwire