The WAP Trap
Projects
1 The Wap Trap
In 2000, we provided a detailed criticism of a set of specifications called the “Wireless Application Protocol”, or WAP. We warned that WAP is booby-trapped with patents and that WAP is entirely unfit to play the role of a Mobile Messaging industry standard.
Key relevant documents for this project are:
The WAP Trap
An Expose of the Wireless Application Protocol
http://www.freeprotocols.org/PLPC/100014
Le WAP a la trappe
Un expose sur le Wireless Application Protocol
http://www.freeprotocols.org/PLPC/100015
WAP - The Patent Problem
http://www.freeprotocols.org/PLPC/100025
2 The Harm of the Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)
The Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) is a disaster waiting to happen. First, the WAP protocols are booby-trapped with patents. Patent infringement claims have already been made by the holders of the following two patents, and more claims can almost certainly be expected in the future:
-
U.S. Patent # 5,327,529 - Geoworks, Berkeley,
Calif.. Process of designing user’s interfaces for
application programs.
Local Copies: (PDF) (PS) - U.S. Patent # 5,809,415 - Unwired Planet, Inc., Redwood
Shores, Calif.. Method and architecture for an interactive
two-way data communication network.
Local Copies: (PDF-Part 1) (PDF-Part 2) (PS-Part 1) (PS-Part 2)
In addition, the WAP protocols are ill-conceived, closed, and poorly-designed. The following documents provide a detailed discussion and analysis of WAP:
-
The WAP Trap, Mohsen Banan,
Neda Communications, Inc., January 29, 2000
(ONE-HTML) (SPLIT-HTML) (PDF) (PS) - WAP - The Patent Problem, Mohsen Banan,
Neda Communications, Inc., May 3, 2000
(HTML) (PDF) (PS) (Text Only) - LEAP: One Alternative to WAP, Mohsen Banan,
Neda Communications, Inc., February 7, 2000
(HTML) (PDF) (PS) (Text Only) - W* Effect Considered Harmful, Rohit Khare, 4K
Associates, April 9, 1999.
Original: (Full Version) (Short Version)
Local Copies: (Full Version) (Short Version)
- Attacks Against The WAP WTLS Protocol, Markku-Juhani Saarinen, University of Jyvskyl, 1999.
- Underwhelmed by WAP - Impressions from the coalface, Mike Banahan, May 27, 2000.
Original: (HTML)
Local Copies: (HTML)
- WAP Lash, Meg McGinity, Inter@ctive Week, July 28, 2000.
Original: (HTML)
Local Copies: (HTML)
- WAP 2.0: Mature Enough for Flight?, Keri Schreiner, IEEE
Internet Computing, November-December, 2000.
Original: (HTML)
Local Copies: (PDF)
This document was produced by ByStar Document Processing Toolset which includes: XeLaTeX, XePersian, HaVeA and Plone3.