Openwave
Encyclopedia
Openwave is a software company. Based in Redwood City, California
, USA, Openwave is historically significant in its introduction of the Mobile Internet and its expansion into a large successful mobile software supplier in the mobile telecom sector. Openwave is publicly traded under the ticker .
Openwave pioneered HDML
, a precursor to WML
. Openwave was a founding member of the WAP Forum, and is currently an active member of the Open Mobile Alliance
.
. In 1996, it changed its name to Unwired Planet, Inc. and launched its proprietary end-to-end mobile network solution for Internet access and web browsing, known as up.link (browser and network server/gateway).
In 1999, with the introduction of WAP
standards, it acquired Apiion, Ltd. of Belfast
(formerly Aldiscon Northern Ireland, Ltd.), changed its name to Phone.com and went public on the NASDAQ
. In 2000, amidst huge growth in revenue and stock price, Phone.com acquired several high tech startup companies with niche products to integrate across its end-to-end solution. In 2001, it merged with Software.com and changed the company name again to Openwave Systems, Inc. With Software.com's large installed base of email servers at ISPs, Openwave expanded by providing its mobile operator customers with software infrastructure for mobile email applications and other multimedia messaging (MMS
) applications.
The company's mobile browser
software shipped on over one billion handsets, at one point approx 49% of the global browser-capable device shipments, over 70 mobile operators.
In 2002 it acquired SignalSoft Corp., the developer of Location Based Services, who developed the first platforms to provide E911 services as per the first FCC (Federal Communications Commission
) requirements.
In 2004 Openwave acquired Nombas Inc., the developer of Cmm (a scripting language with C-like syntax) which was later enhanced to support ECMAScript
and renamed ScriptEase.
In January 2006, Openwave closed the $120 million acquisition of Musiwave, a French music application services provider for mobile phones. In November 2007, the company sold Musiwave to Microsoft
for $46 million.
In February 2008, Openwave launched a contextual advertising system for mobile phones.
In May 2008, the San Francisco Business Journal reported that NASDAQ
had given Openwave a delisting warning for failing to properly report some financial results.
On June 30, 2008, Openwave issued a press release stating: "that Purple Labs has acquired the Openwave mobile phone software business, which develops and markets its browser and messaging client technologies." .
On October 18, 2010, Openwave announced: "that it licensed certain patents to Mobixell/724 Solutions Inc" as part of an intellectual property protection arrangement .
Traffic Mediation
Data Mediation
Messaging
Earlier products included:
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, USA, Openwave is historically significant in its introduction of the Mobile Internet and its expansion into a large successful mobile software supplier in the mobile telecom sector. Openwave is publicly traded under the ticker .
Openwave pioneered HDML
Handheld Device Markup Language
The Handheld Device Markup Language is a markup language intended for display on handheld computers, information appliances, smartphones, etc.. It is similar to HTML, but for wireless and handheld devices with small displays, like PDA, mobile phones and so on.It was originally developed in about...
, a precursor to WML
WML
WML may stand for:* What's My Line?, a game show* White matter lesion, a lesion of the white matter* Wireless Markup Language, markup used for mobile phones with Wireless Application Protocol* Website Meta Language, Unix software for HTML generation...
. Openwave was a founding member of the WAP Forum, and is currently an active member of the Open Mobile Alliance
Open Mobile Alliance
The Open Mobile Alliance is a standards body which develops open standards for the mobile phone industry.- Principles :Mission: To provide interoperable service enablers working across countries, operators and mobile terminals....
.
History
The company started in 1996 as Libris, Inc. and focused on developing mobile client software for "pull" services while the general mobile market was rapidly growing "push" services based on SMSSMS
SMS is a form of text messaging communication on phones and mobile phones. The terms SMS or sms may also refer to:- Computer hardware :...
. In 1996, it changed its name to Unwired Planet, Inc. and launched its proprietary end-to-end mobile network solution for Internet access and web browsing, known as up.link (browser and network server/gateway).
In 1999, with the introduction of WAP
Wireless Application Protocol
Wireless Application Protocol is a technical standard for accessing information over a mobile wireless network.A WAP browser is a web browser for mobile devices such as mobile phones that uses the protocol.Before the introduction of WAP, mobile service providers had limited opportunities to offer...
standards, it acquired Apiion, Ltd. of Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
(formerly Aldiscon Northern Ireland, Ltd.), changed its name to Phone.com and went public on the NASDAQ
NASDAQ
The NASDAQ Stock Market, also known as the NASDAQ, is an American stock exchange. "NASDAQ" originally stood for "National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations". It is the second-largest stock exchange by market capitalization in the world, after the New York Stock Exchange. As of...
. In 2000, amidst huge growth in revenue and stock price, Phone.com acquired several high tech startup companies with niche products to integrate across its end-to-end solution. In 2001, it merged with Software.com and changed the company name again to Openwave Systems, Inc. With Software.com's large installed base of email servers at ISPs, Openwave expanded by providing its mobile operator customers with software infrastructure for mobile email applications and other multimedia messaging (MMS
Multimedia Messaging Service
Multimedia Messaging Service, or MMS, is a standard way to send messages that include multimedia content to and from mobile phones. It extends the core SMS capability that allowed exchange of text messages only up to 160 characters in length.The most popular use is to send photographs from...
) applications.
The company's mobile browser
Microbrowser
A mobile browser, also called a microbrowser, minibrowser, or wireless internet browser , is a web browser designed for use on a mobile device such as a mobile phone or PDA. Mobile browsers are optimized so as to display Web content most effectively for small screens on portable devices...
software shipped on over one billion handsets, at one point approx 49% of the global browser-capable device shipments, over 70 mobile operators.
In 2002 it acquired SignalSoft Corp., the developer of Location Based Services, who developed the first platforms to provide E911 services as per the first FCC (Federal Communications Commission
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
) requirements.
In 2004 Openwave acquired Nombas Inc., the developer of Cmm (a scripting language with C-like syntax) which was later enhanced to support ECMAScript
ECMAScript
ECMAScript is the scripting language standardized by Ecma International in the ECMA-262 specification and ISO/IEC 16262. The language is widely used for client-side scripting on the web, in the form of several well-known dialects such as JavaScript, JScript, and ActionScript.- History :JavaScript...
and renamed ScriptEase.
In January 2006, Openwave closed the $120 million acquisition of Musiwave, a French music application services provider for mobile phones. In November 2007, the company sold Musiwave to Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
for $46 million.
In February 2008, Openwave launched a contextual advertising system for mobile phones.
In May 2008, the San Francisco Business Journal reported that NASDAQ
NASDAQ
The NASDAQ Stock Market, also known as the NASDAQ, is an American stock exchange. "NASDAQ" originally stood for "National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations". It is the second-largest stock exchange by market capitalization in the world, after the New York Stock Exchange. As of...
had given Openwave a delisting warning for failing to properly report some financial results.
On June 30, 2008, Openwave issued a press release stating: "that Purple Labs has acquired the Openwave mobile phone software business, which develops and markets its browser and messaging client technologies." .
On October 18, 2010, Openwave announced: "that it licensed certain patents to Mobixell/724 Solutions Inc" as part of an intellectual property protection arrangement .
Products
Major current products include:Traffic Mediation
- Openwave Integra (platform)
- Openwave Media Optimizer
- Openwave Web Optimizer
- Openwave Media Adapter
- Openwave Web Adapter
- Openwave Passport
- Openwave Web Security
- Openwave Mobile Internet Ready Set
Data Mediation
- Openwave Mobile Analytics
- Openwave Analytics Express
Messaging
- Openwave Email Mx
- Openwave Rich Mail
- Openwave Network Address Book
- Openwave Multimedia Messaging Service Center (MMSCMMScMMSc may refer to:* Master of Medical Science* Multimedia Messaging Service...
) - Openwave Edge Gx Anti-Abuse
Earlier products included:
- Openwave Mobile Access Gateway (MAG)
- Openwave Mobile Browser
- Openwave Mobile Messaging client
- Unwired Planet .Link Browser
- Unwired Planet .Link Server