Understanding Wap : Wireless Applications, Devices, and Services

Understanding Wap : Wireless Applications, Devices, and Services (Artech House Telecommunications Library)

Publisher: Artech House Publishers
Number Of Pages: 256
Publication Date: 2000-06
Sales Rank: 1424615
ISBN / ASIN: 1580530931
EAN: 9781580530934
Binding: Hardcover
Manufacturer: Artech House Publishers
Studio: Artech House Publishers
Average Rating: 4

Learn all the basics of how the Wireless Application Protocol is able to deliver Internet-based services to all types of mobile devices with this comprehensive new resource. It examines every aspect of WAP, helping you with hands-on development of WAP applications, an area critical to the success of WAP in the consumer marketplace. You learn the technical details behind this new protocol and the critical business issues related to its implementation. What?s more, it delivers an in-depth review of the technical specifications and security issues associated with WAP. Unlike other books on the subject, this handy reference is more than just an explanation of the standards. You get useful information on how WAP is impacting existing business models and value chains of telcos, and information and service providers. Software Included! Features a CD-ROM containing selected software and sample WAP applications, and more.

Review:
A mediocre book covering a wide-open topic

The biggest problem with this book is that it's not clear who the book is written for. I was looking for an understanding of the WAP architecture; I only found a little discussion of that. The book does tend to assume an intimate knowledge of Internet application development: HTTP, HTML, etc. For those of use who don't have that it was a bit confusing. On the other hand, I suspect that experienced developers will find only a little bit of new information in this book; they're probably better off finding the WAP Forum website and downloading the specifications.

The writing is uneven (each chapter is from a different author), and it is very Euro-centric (lots of discussion of GSM and SIM cards).

Highlights/lowlights:

Ch 2 - Wireless Application Environment - Much of this chapter was almost incomprehensible to me (I'm an engineer, but not a software developer). Assumes knowledge of HTML.

Ch 3 - Designing Effective User Interfaces - superficial coverage of a topic that only a few will care about

Ch 4 - WTA - Wireless Telephony Application - Finally, a little description of the WAP architecture.

Ch 5 - WAP Gateways - Nice overview of the high-level WAP architecture.

Ch 7 - WAP Security - Very well written chapter that gives a nice overview of security issues. Promises the "WTLS protocol in detail" in 2 pages - that's hard to do, but this is not a bad attempt. This chapter could be expanded into an entire book pretty easily.

Ch 8 - WAP for Operators - Strategy discussion - nothing earth-shattering.

Ch 10 - Mobile Financial Services - Superficial coverage.

Summary: WAP technology is still immature, so it's unrealistic to expect a comprehensive treatment. However, this book would be better if it were more focused and/or more tutorial in nature. There are some good nuggets of information in the book, and it's an easy read, but I'm glad I bought it with my employer's money.

Review:
Great technology book

This is a really good book, it's well written and covers WAP depth enough to satisfy your needs, but, who is this book for?, it's for everyone who need to know what is WAP, it's not for a developer wishing to learn WML, in fact it does not cover WML in depth, it only shows it as an element of the WAP technology (as it does with WTA and Push Services).
This books covers everything about WAP but for moments more from a commercial perpective than a technical one.
As a developer I found a lot of answers, but some chapters where not of my interest (the WTLS chapter is really good, but the chapter on user interface design was a little boring).

Overall it's an excellent book to get in touch with the technology.

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