Novarra is a mobile internet software company founded in 2000 and based in Itasca, Illinois, USA. It creates web-based services such as web internet access, portals, videos, widgets and advertising for mobile devices. Novarra provides access to the internet and other services through wireless handsets, PDAs and laptops and sells directly to operators,^[1] mobile handset manufacturers and internet brand companies. Nokia acquired Novarra in 2010.^[2]

History[link]

Novarra started in 2000 and launched its first wireless web software application in 2002 to enable mobile workforce users with Palm (PDA), BlackBerry, Symbol and Windows Mobile devices to access corporate applications through carriers’ wireless networks.

In 2002, Novarra’s first handset manufacturer contract was to supply a browser to Palm, Inc. for Tungsten (handheld) PDAs (branded WebPro).^[3]

In 2004, Novarra’s first mobile network operator deployment with U.S. Cellular^[4] marked the launch of the BREW (Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless) version of its browser platform and the first US mobile operator to allow open internet access on all handsets.^[5]

In 2005, the company released its first Java Platform, Micro Edition browser which was later adopted by several of Hutchison 3G Group's operating companies. It was branded as www3^[6] in Italy and 3Xplorer^[7] in Hong Kong.

In 2007 Novarra secured venture capital^[8] from Qualcomm and other investors to expand into Asia. Also, their streaming internet video service was launched with 3 Hong Kong^[9] and Vodafone United Kingdom utilized Novarra for an update to Vodafone Live! that included an integrated portal, search and open internet access service for all phones.^[10] As a first of its kind, this service received much criticism from mobile developers.^[11]

In 2008, Novarra took steps to provide guidance for mobile developers^[12] when deploying a similar service at Verizon Wireless^[13] (also this deployment caused criticism by the community of mobile developers^[14]) and is a member of the World Wide Web Consortium Mobile Web Best Practices Working Group.^[15]

In 2009 Novarra's Jayanthi Rangarajan steps down and the firm cuts 20% of man power.^[16][17] The company also began reporting mobile internet usage statistics from deployments.^[18]

Products[link]

Novarra Vision Mobile Internet & Multimedia Platform may include any of the components below:

• Vision Mobile Browser for feature phones, smartphones, or emerging market phones
• On-device Portal
• Content Transformation Server
• Video & Multimedia Transcoding
• Widgets
• Mobile Broadband Optimization
• Advertising and Analytics

Criticism[link]

Together with Vodafone UK, Novarra has been heavily criticized ^[19] by mobile web developers in the UK and elsewhere for its disputable practice of removing key device information from the HTTP headers of requests from mobile devices.^[20] While this practice makes viewing of sites with no mobile version possible on devices with limited or no HTML capabilities, it can also hinder developers' efforts to deliver a user-experience tailored to the capabilities of the requesting mobile device.

Market Adoption[link]

Mobile internet access services based upon the Novarra Vision mobile internet and multimedia platform have been deployed in the US, Europe and Asia by service providers including Yahoo, Vodafone, Verizon Wireless, Turkcell, Hutchison 3G, Sprint Nextel, US Cellular and others on mobile phones, smartphones and PDAs from Nokia, LG Group, Samsung Mobile, Motorola Mobile Devices, Palm (PDA), Research In Motion, ZTE Corporation, Sony Ericsson, Kyocera Wireless, and other manufacturers.

References[link]

1. ^ Furchgott, Roy (8 June 2009), "A Flood of Softrware in Reaction to Apple" http://gadgetwise.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/08/app-roundup/ NY Times (retrieved 25 June 2009)
2. ^ [1]
3. ^ Handango, Palm Web Pro by palmOne http://www.handango.com/catalog/ProductDetails.jsp?storeId=2218&productId=88625 (retrieved 13 May 2009)
4. ^ U.S. Cellular, easyedge Mobile Browser http://easyedge.uscc.com/easyedge/GameDetail.do?2155 (retrieved 6 May 2009)
5. ^ Smith, Brad (15 April 2005), “One Tier 2 Carrier Opens the Internet” http://www.wirelessweek.com/one-tier-2-carrier-opens-the-internet.aspx Wireless Week (retrieved 6 May 2009)
6. ^ Tre Italia, www3 http://www.tre.it/public/servizi.php (retrieved 6 May 2009)
7. ^ Three Hong Kong, X-Series 3Xplorer http://xseries.three.com.hk/website/english/features_3xplorer_overview.shtml# (retrieved 6 May 2009)
8. ^ (31 July 2007), "Novarra Raises $50M from Qualcomm, Others" http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/novarra-raises-50m-qualcomm-others/2007-07-31 Fierce Wireless (retrieved 25 June 2009)
9. ^ Three Hong Kong, 3Xplorer Video Streaming http://xseries.three.com.hk/website/english/features_3xplorer2.0_overview.shtml (retrieved 6 May 2009)
10. ^ Meyer, David (6 June 2007), “Vodafone Advances Website Rendering for Mobiles” http://news.zdnet.co.uk/communications/0,1000000085,39287413,00.htm ZDNet UK (retrieved 6 May 2009)
11. ^ Butcher, Mike (21 September 2007), “Vodafone in Mobile Web Storm” http://uk.techcrunch.com/2007/09/21/vodafone-in-mobile-web-storm/ TechCrunch (retrieved 6 May 2009)
12. ^ Verizon Wireless Developer ZON, “Optimized View for Mobile Website Developers Guide” http://www.vzwdevelopers.com/aims/downloads/wapoptout/Optimized_View_for_Mobile_Website_Developers_Guide.pdf (retrieved 6 May 2009)
13. ^ Duryee, Tricia (15 February 2009) “Verizon Wireless Subscribers Can Browse the Web More Easily” http://www.moconews.net/entry/419-verizon-wireless-makes-it-easy-to-watch-youtube-new-mobile-browser-incl/ mocoNews (retrieved 6 May 2009)
14. ^ "Verizon Using Novarra's Transcoder" http://wapreview.com/blog/?p=1837 (retrieved on August 20, 2009
15. ^ W3C, “Mobile Web Best Practices Working Group” http://www.w3.org/2000/09/dbwg/details?group=37584&public=1&order=org (retrieved 6 May 2009)
16. ^ Novarra's Jayanthi Rangarajan steps down, firm cuts 20% http://www.windybits.com/the-may-report-remix?tmrUrl=http://www.tmronline.com/A55951/tmrarticles.nsf/e3092cf237ce5b7386256921005cf436/5ddb0d10010ae9128625753900142742!OpenDocument
17. ^ Jayanthi Rangarajan steps down and the firm cuts 20% of man power http://www.tmronline.com/A55951/tmrarticles.nsf/e3092cf237ce5b7386256921005cf436/5ddb0d10010ae9128625753900142742!OpenDocument
18. ^ Nusca, Andrew (18 June 2009) “Multitasking Parents Out-surf Business Pros 3 to 1 on Mobile Internet” http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=19944 ZDNet (retrieved 7 October 2009)
19. ^ "Mobile web wranscoding: Problem solved?" http://www.mobile-ent.biz/features/176/Mobile-web-transcoding-Problem-solved Mobile Entertainment Magazine (retrieved August 10, 2009)
20. ^ "VodafoneUK abusing its position" http://wurfl.sourceforge.net/vodafonerant/ (retrieved August 10, 2009)

External links[link]

• Novarra official web site

• transcoding issues

• Criticism of VodafoneUK and Novarra by the developer community