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.com

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/