WAP is  a wireless access protocol which allows cellphone access to Web content. It is a standard for providing cellular phones, pagers and other handheld devices with secure access to e-mail and text-based Web pages. WAP also supports handheld input methods such as a keypad and voice recognition. Independent of the air interface, WAP runs over all the major wireless networks in place now and (presumably) in the future. It is also device independent, requiring only a minimum functionality in the unit so that it can be used with a myriad of phones and handheld devices. See WAP Forum.

CyberSister's Comment

Our theme in the last few newsletters has been internet access devices other than the PC and wireless. While practically every major telecommunications company worldwide is using WAP as the de facto standard to transmit data on cellphones, there is a bit of a debate ranging between WAP and I-mode, a wireless protocol in widespread use in Japan. Many say that Japan's i-mode offers more affordable access rates, more robust content, and higher connection speed.  Read http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,38333,00.html for more information.

What does this mean to us business people? A recent market study by Datamonitor suggests that the US will develop and sell a multi-billion dollar sum of mobile commerce services over the next five years. (see http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,38317,00.html for details) Consumers are interested in accessing web data via their wireless devices, yet there are only about 24,000 WAP-accessible websites in the world (i.e. readable by a cell phone or wireless device). So, if you want your web site to be on the forefront, and to be accessed by cell phone users, why not create a section that is WAP-accessible. and get there ahead of your competion?

Bank-issued smart cards in the United States for mobile/e-commerce applications are a step closer to reality thanks to an initiative by MasterCard International, Purchase, N.Y. The bank card issuer has gathered a coalition of smart card developers, terminal vendors, and security providers to develop standard interoperable solutions for digital ID-based smart cards.

The group will create standard procedures for issuing, revoking, and establishing digital user IDs. Its aim is to migrate MasterCard International's 22,000 member banks to digital ID-based smart cards that incorporate identifying codes, personal identification numbers, or biometrics data to authenticate and identify card users

Cybersister's Comment

We've been keen on smart card technology ever since we first introduced it to our readers about a year ago (Aug 13/99 issue). The adaptation of biometric technology (biological identification of a person, which includes eyes, voice, handprints, fingerprints) into smart cards may be the right thing at the right time. I think the slower-than-predicted use of smart card technology is partially due to security concerns. With embedded biometric data, smart cards can provide more security than magnetic stripe cards for e-commerce transactions. Perhaps that's what the banks were waiting for. Look for oportunities and growth in this industry.

At the risk of repeating myself: wireless Internet is the next huge thing. Analysts predict a multi-billion dollar industry serving hundreds of millions of consumers. As with the rise of the wired web, it won't be boring! Watch for your handheld devices and cell phones to become more personalized, colourful and customized to a variety of tastes. Palm Pilot is releasing a special "Claudia Schiffer" device. Yes, I kid you not, check it out at http://www.claudiaschiffer.com. Not only will they by customized, they will be multimedia ready, and able to play music, videos and show colour pictures: Qualcomm just introduced a multi-media chipset.

Oh, and get ready to flip up your jacket collar and talk on your phone, or open up your coat and access your stock information. Wearable, wireless, internet accessible clothing is here, and has been adapted by your ultimate mainstream clothing company, Levi Strauss. Check out their recent press release. You read it first in the Ripple Effect Newsletter!  (Aug 30/99 and Nov 8/99)

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