Browser-Less Surfing and Mobile Internet Access

Abstract

Lately, we have seen the use of a number of new technologies (such as Javascript, XML, and RSS) used to show how Web content can be delivered to users without a traditional browser application (e.g., Microsoft Explorer). In parallel, a growing number of PC applications, whose main job previously was to manage local resources, now are adding Internet connectivity to enhance their role and use (e.g., while iTunes started as a media player for playing and managing compressed audio files, it now includes Web access to download and purchase music, video, podcasts, television shows, and movies).While most attempts at providing Internet access on mobile devices (whether wireless phones or personal digital assistants) have sought to bring the traditional browser, or a mobile version of the browser, to these smaller devices, they have been far from successful (and a far cry from the richer experience provided by browsers on the PC using standard input and control devices of keyboards and a mouse). Next, we will highlight a number of recent trends to show how these physical and use-case constraints can be significantly diminished.