DeviceMine ‘content packs’ ease device fragmentation challenge for mobile content and developer community

WDS releases DeviceMine v3.0; offering a greatly reduced cost of entry for organizations looking to access the industry’s most complete repository of handset data and capabilities.

Poole (UK): 25th July 2008: WDS has made it easier for mobile content developers to access its market-leading database of mobile device capabilities by offering a series of specialized ‘content packs’.

A free demo of DeviceMine 3.0 data is available at: http://www.wds.co/devicemine

DeviceMine v3.0 tracks over 500 different characteristics for each mobile device in its database; including physical characteristics, browser information, media support and native application environments. Armed with this information, mobile developers are able to navigate the complexity of device fragmentation and optimize their content and applications for individual device types.

The latest version of DeviceMine, launched today, will be available as a series of specialized content packs. These packs deliver a subset of DeviceMine data, offering a greatly reduced cost of entry and allowing mobile content developers to only invest in the data required to support their services. Five content packs are available, each focused on particular areas of the handset; Browser Pack, Hardware Pack, Media Pack, Software Pack and Device Management Pack.

More than 300 new handsets are launched every year and differences in hardware, operating systems and displays make it a challenge to deliver a consistent and compelling user experience.

“How a piece of content performs on one device can be hugely different to how it performs on another. Differences in screen size and resolution, DRM restrictions and media support are just a handful of factors that can make or break the user experience and damage service profitability,” explains Nick Gyles, CTO of WDS ’s Technology Division.

To combat this fragmentation, DeviceMine intelligence allows mobile content developers to tailor products and services according to actual device characteristics, this ensures mobile content, applications and the browsing experience are always optimized.

“Our content packs have been designed to greatly reduce the cost of entry for developers and mobile content providers looking to leverage the industry’s most complete handset capabilities repository. For DeviceMine 3.0 we have also enhanced the information we collect around media and content delivery; including video streaming, audio codecs and bitrates as well as FlashLite and application runtime environments,” adds Gyles.

Unlike other competitive device repositories that use un-validated data, DeviceMine handset profiles are subject to a hands-on testing process with a sample device. This process is augmented by data gathered from the manufacturer and other industry sources to create a highly trusted repository. With a global footprint, more than 30 new handsets are added to DeviceMine every month, with profiles delivered to customers as XML for easy integration into internal development tools or content delivery platforms.

DeviceMine 3.0 Content Packs:

1. Browser Pack
   All elements of the OMA User Agent Profile, combined with additional browser parameters and device reference and identification data.
2. Hardware Pack
   Hardware and physical characteristics including form factor, screen sizes/types, processor, memory, interfaces and battery information.
3. Media Pack
   Audio and video media support, streaming capabilities, recommended codecs and bitrates.
4. Software Pack
   Application run-time environment information for platforms such as Java.
5. Device Management Pack
   Device Management characteristics for Client Provisioning, OMA Device Management and FOTA.

A free demo of DeviceMine 3.0 data is available at:
http://www.wds.co/devicemine

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