HDML on VS WAP finally?
 

I saw this in the alt.cellular.gsm.carriers.voicestream usenet newsgroup. I replied, but as of yet havent heard anything. I also called the VS tech support line, but they didn't know anything about it. Do any of you think it's legit?



------From Alt.cellular.gsm.carriers.voicestream-----------
Up until this point, you can only access sites written WML only.
VoiceStream is in the process of testing out a new application that
should be able to translates and read HDML sites, previously
uncompatible WML, and translate HTML to WML.

We have our own list of sites we are testing out, but we would like to
have outside input on which sites are working or not. Once testing is
done these sites should work on the MyiStream service. We would give
those who are interested access to the application. Sites that do not
work and are reported, we can examine and figure out what the problem
is and improve the final version.

If you are interested, please respond to myistream@voicestream.com.
We will need your mobile number in order to give you access to this
new application. If you have other questions about the testing
process, please send questions to that address as well.

Sean

Hmmm...anyone know how to trace who owns that email address? It could be someone "collecting" voicestream numbers for a marketting list or something?

As far as I am aware though, I doubt it is a conversion of HTML to WML, but more likely HDML to WML.
HTML pages are just not formatted to small cellphone screens and chainging that would be hard and fairly pointless.
The majority of new sites are now written in XML anyway, which detects the device used and displays accordingly. So the same page can be viewed a certain way on one platform (eg a PC) and compensated to be viewable on another (eg cellphone).

HDML is the common std for all the TDMA networks "mobile internet" pages, I used my girlfriends old attws phone with this once and actually found it quite useful. I think Nextel's pages are HDML as well. The language is more of a handset issue rather than a network issue though. My old handset in the UK, a Sony J5 (for sale if anyone wants it?), is capable of viewing both wml AND html content. This is because it uses Microsoft mobile Explorer as the browser. Unfortunately most html pages do not display correctly, and the only ones that do are i-mode sites and a few written by J5 enthusiasts.

This is a legitimate project. I heard back from Voicestream. They have a new pilot project that translates HDML pages on-the-fly. They are including me in their study, and will probably include you too if you want to be included.
-Michael

Sounds like a cool idea, from what I understand most of the mobile internet with content relevant to US users is written in HDML. I guess this was another case of America adopting a std that no one else was using ;)
Certainly all of ATTws's pocketnet service is HDML and I think Nextels service too (all the TDMA networks I guess?)
Of course, HDML content is even more text based than wml, which has become quite graphical at times. But HDML sites are almost always free from what I've seen.

I doubt I should put myself forward for this though, as I'm a prepay customer they tell me that I'm not even supposed to be able to have data access in any form.
This could be a trap for ppl like me (as well as testing a new service), like police tellingfellons they've won a new boat ;)

Well, believe it or not. HDML ( handheld device makeup language) is pinoneer of WML. HDML is developed by Phone.com.

HDML was developed by Unwired Planet which became Phone.com that merged with Software.com to become now, Openwave.com. I believe AT&T is the only major US carrier to still be using HDML. AT&T was one of the first carriers to use Unwired Planet's HDML on their CDPD networks. Most other US carriers are using gateways and phones that use WML. WML will eventually be replaced by XHTML, I think WML 2.0 is mostly XHTML compliant.

As far as I am aware,XML and WML are compatable. That is, an XML browser can read WML pages and a WML browser can read XML pages. A lot of current WAP sites are written in XML.
I think WAPjag offer a service whereby you can create your own WAP page on their site, for free.

Also, I don't think Phone.com were the pioneers of WAP.
The first WAP handset was the very one pictured in your icon, the Nokia 7110. I'm pretty sure that Phone.com browsers have only ever been used on Motorola phones (at least in the GSM market).

If I am remembering correctly, the first WAP handsets available were from Sprint PCS. I think they offered the Denso TP120 and the Samsung SCH3500, which came out in 1999 way before the Nokia, at least in the US. They both used the phone.com browser.

Many sites are written in HDML because SprintPCS, which has the most sites built for them, uses this technology.

Ok, so we seem to have established that hdml was the initial mobile internet std.
......in the US

Unwired Planet was the pioneer of the phone microbrowser (although Geoworks claims that it held the patent for the concept)

A little background:

So why I wonder is it that only motorola handsets in Europe have phone.com browsers, and that EVERYONE hates them?
All the mobile phone mags/reviews etc tell ppl to steer clear of phone.com browsers, nothing but problems and settings are often locked away.
I wouldn't know firsthand (only time I used a phone.com browser was my girlfriends old TDMA Ericsson 280), as I mostly used Microsoft Mobile Explorer. I found that browser pretty good, and the browser software on my Ericsson R520m seems pretty similar.

Don't know usually carriers specify the the microbrowser yhey want and the manufacturers flash the phone with that browser.
BTW there is no Phone.com any more its now Openwave.

Most GSM phones come with the browser installed by the manufacturer, I don't know about CDMA and TDMA though?
Just check out the specs on manufacturers websites for GSM phones, the type of WAP browser is often referenced. Although, the provider can hide menus and settings through the SAT (SIM application toolkit) - which is what I beleive Voicestream do with their handsets (or motorola do it on their behalf?). It is the same scenario with Orange in the UK.
I wonder why so few phones have Microsoft Mobile Explorer as their browser? Only the Benefon and Sony phones have it as far as I'm aware? It's really good and allows you to browse a wide range of stds inc HTML, also includes a POP email client.
I'm sure the new wave of Sony Ericssons will have it (and Microsofts own Sendo model?), as well as the jog dial and polyphonic ringtones :)

google.com translates HTML pages into WML, not perfect but good enough to check out HTML pages!