Web Runtimes – evolving beyond the browser
David PollingtonVodafone Group R&D
Feb 2008
MoMo London
Jan 2008
Web Runtimes2
Increasing support for Web technologies
WAP iMode
S60 Opera
Jan 2008
Web Runtimes3
Mobile browsers today
BrowserJavaScript
CSSxHTML SVG
Hardware
H/W abstraction layer (HAL)
Middleware
UI toolkit Application APIs
Kernele.g., Symbian
e.g., S60
Rich UI
Scripting
Web
Responsiveness
Evolve the browser as a new Web Runtime for hosting mobile apps
and services
Jan 2008
Web Runtimes4
What do we mean by Web Runtime?
Web RuntimeJavaScript
CSSxHTML SVG
Hardware
H/W abstraction layer (HAL)
Middleware
UI toolkit Application APIs
Kernele.g., Symbian
e.g., S60
Rich UI
Scripting
Web
Responsiveness
BrowserWeb app
Web app
Jan 2008
Web Runtimes5
Web Runtime benefits
• Lowers the entry barriers• Reduces development time
• Lowers the entry barriers• Reduces development time• Decouples application development• Allows dynamic update
Jan 2008
Web Runtimes6
Enhancing the Web Runtime with device APIs
Terminal functionality &
user data
Web information
Web app
Device APIs:• File system access to pictures, music and video clips• PIM data (contacts, calendar)• Messaging (SMS, MMS, email)• Call handling• System data (battery, coverage, roaming, location)• Camera (get new picture)
• Adds context• Mashups
Jan 2008
Web Runtimes7
Enhancing the Web Runtime with device APIs
Web RuntimeJavaScript
CSSxHTML SVG
Hardware
H/W abstraction layer (HAL)
Middleware
UI toolkit Application APIs
Kernele.g., Symbian
e.g., S60
Rich UI
Scripting
Web
Responsiveness
BrowserWeb app
Web app
JavaScript
Application APIs
MobileScript
Extending JavaScript engine to tap into handset
functionality
Jan 2008
Web Runtimes8
Comparing Runtimes
Rapid development
Reach
Rich set of APIs
Native
Web pages Widgets
Games
Complex apps using low level APIs
Industry initiative
Proprietary device API
implementation
Jan 2008
Web Runtimes9
Web Experiences Will Become An Increasing Part Of How We Use Our Phones
Jan 2008
Web Runtimes10
Shifting service landscape
Network
Network APIs
On-net
3rd party ASPs
Portal
Off-net
Multitude of different application frameworks necessitates multiple ports of the same
application
Web services
Network
Network APIs
On-net
3rd party ASPs
Po
rtal
Off-net
Web Runtime
Beta services
Device APIs
Network
Net APIs
On-net
3rd party ASPs
Po
rtal
Off-net
S60 Java
Network
Net APIs
On-net
3rd party ASPs
Po
rtal
Off-net
S60 Java Android iPhone LiMo
Ghost of Xmas pastGhost of Xmas presentGhost of Xmas yet to come?
T + 44 1635 685504
David Pollington
Vodafone GROUP R&D.UK
Vodafone House
The Connection
Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2FN
http://www.vodafonebetavine.net/web/MobileScripting/
https://forge.vodafonebetavine.net/projects/mobilescript/