A technical standard for accessing information over a mobile wireless network. Developed in the late 1990s, WAP was primarily designed to enable mobile devices, such as mobile phones and pagers, to access the internet or other computer networks to obtain web-based information and services. Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
- Purpose: WAP was created to provide a standard way for wireless devices to connect to internet services and view web pages designed specifically for mobile screens. These pages, written in a markup language similar to HTML called WML (Wireless Markup Language), were optimized for low-bandwidth connections and small screen sizes.
- Features: WAP allowed users to access news, sports, and weather updates. It also enabled services like email, stock market data, and entertainment listings directly from their mobile devices.
- Technology: The protocol included a set of communication standards for the presentation and delivery of services on mobile devices. It encompassed various layers, including a security layer (WAP-SSL), session layer, and application environment (WAE).
- Usage: In the era before advanced smartphones and 3G/4G networks, WAP was a significant step towards mobile internet access. However, with the advent of more sophisticated mobile phones, operating systems, and mobile browsing technologies, the use of WAP has declined sharply, replaced by more advanced standards and technologies capable of delivering a richer, faster, and more secure web experience.
Despite its limitations and the eventual shift towards more advanced web technologies, WAP was an important early step in the mobile internet revolution, paving the way for the comprehensive mobile web services we use today.