From web to wap:<br>Herald Online on your cellphone

Wilson and Horton announces...

The Herald Online is ready to go wherever you go, using its new Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) service which makes Web pages available on many of the latest cellphones.

"It's a comprehensive service," says Herald Online editor Neil Sanderson. "With a WAP-enabled cellphone, you get the full text of our news stories, plus our specialist reports on technology, employment, property and motoring - all in the palm of your hand."

WAP technology is new to New Zealand, as iTouch NZ Business Development Manager Declan O'Callaghan says. "WAP phones have been widely available for about 4 weeks now. The cost of the service is minimal. After buying a WAP phone, and subscribing to the data service, all you pay is your current call rate.

"We are pleased at who is using this service: young people, business people, anyone who wants to be in touch wherever they are."

WAP technology was developed by cellular phone companies and, as O'Callaghan points out, it is a growth area. "The number of users is increasing by the day, especially with the Nokia 7110 and Ericsson R320 being aggressively marketed by Vodafone," he says. "There's a couple of thousand phones estimated to be online in New Zealand at the moment and, with services like the Herald becoming available, that's only going to grow."

Sanderson says the Herald's WAP service is easy to access. "Users will find our WAP site is structured very much like our Website. You dial in to the iTouch WAP portal, select the Herald Online service and browse from there. Click on a headline, and you'll get the full text of any story. You can also read the breaking news service from IRN, which is updated throughout the day, just as it is on the Website."

The main difference between WAP and Web, is that mobile phones display only the text of articles - no photos.

Patrick Van Rinsvelt, technical manager of Wilson and Horton Interactive (operators of the Herald Online) believes WAP technology is an effective information solution. "Most people are familiar with the Web and have heard of HTML (Hyper Text Mark-Up Language). WAP phones work on a similar principle, using WML - that's Wireless Mark-Up Language."

WAP-enabled phones are approximately the same size as 'ordinary' cellphones, with a slightly larger display screen. Van Rinsvelt, who packs a WAP phone on his belt, believes we will see more companies in New Zealand using WML. "WAP is perfect for the person who wants their news and information while on the move," he says.

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