Oracle Corp this week outlined the roadmap for the mobile version of its flagship database, 8i, unveiling plans to roll out the database across a multitude of embedded applications, laptop and handheld and smart devices. The 50KB Oracle 8i Lite, which features new technology called Web to Go that the company first mentioned at its user conference in San Francisco last year, will be introduced first for laptop PCs, with handheld and Windows CE versions to follow next month, said Oracle spokesperson Denise Lahey. It will also introduce a version of the Linux operating system as well as launching a product for embedded applications. The latter will be a mini server product designed for specialized embedded ISV applications, such as those in the telecommunications or shipping industry, Lahey said. It will support between two and 10 concurrent users and will be launched some time later this summer.
In addition, Oracle will combine its Web To Go functionality, which essentially allows users to access the corporate database using only a browser and download the data or applications they need for work off-line, with technology being developed under its Panama Project iniative. Panama is a wireless portal technology that enables people to use any type of information appliance – a handheld, smartphone or cell phone for example – to gain real- time access to web-based information. The portal will be sold as a service by carriers and ISPs and users will be able to opt for a personalized portal, like a MyYahoo, which only provides them with access to the information they chose, such as such as bank account details, or stock prices, as well as linking into back end Oracle application data if they need it, via Web to Go. The portal will be launched by the end of the year.
