Page 29 - DCAP512_WAP_AND_WML

Unit 2: Basic of a Good WAP Application

Notes


Caselet Customizing e-commerce

n increase in smartphone penetration leading to a subsequent increase in mobile
internet users have encouraged e-commerce sites in developing their own
Aapplications and payment gateways accessible across different operating systems
(OS) like BlackBerry, iOS (Apple), Android and others.
The basic idea is to integrate the services — including payment options — available on the
web into the handheld devices.
Trying to take the first mover advantage, some of the e-commerce sites like Naaptol, OLX
or Snapdeal are moving away from the traditional WAP sites (mobile compatible sites)
into the realm of developing their own applications.
Traditionally, e-commerce sites have preferred using the web and after popularity of the
mobile web, developed WAP – Wireless Application Protocol – enabled sites for easy
viewing on the mobile. However, with increasing popularity of applications, thanks
mainly to smartphones, e-commerce sites are now exploring newer avenues for better
reach.

Says Mr Amarjit Batra, country head, OLX.in, “The penetration of smartphones will boost
hyper-localisation of products and help users. We found users more comfortable in having
a mobile application than opting for mobile web search or using WAP sites.”
OLX.in with presence across 96 countries has nearly 15 crore users globally and its
application is available across seven different mobile platforms that include Android, iOS
(Apple), Ovistore (Nokia), Windows and Blackberry.
Snapdeal too is planning to widen their reach through applications. Snapdeal already has
an application in the Android market and is planning to bring out similar applications on
other OS.
While Naaptol’s application is currently available on the Android platform only, it plans
to introduce similar application across iOS and Blackberry platforms by January 2012.
Global telecom analyst Gartner, has pointed out that mobile device sales in India is expected
to reach 231 million units in 2012, an increase of 8.5 percent over 2011 sales of 213 million
units.
The mobile handset market is expected to show steady growth through 2015 when end
user sales will surpass 322 million units.
Interestingly, companies like Tradusads.in which still has a WAP site confirmed that it
was looking at possibilities of developing applications across different platforms (OS).
However, Mr Saurabh Pandey, Vice President, Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.,
maintains that with feature phones still dominating the Indian market, having a WAP site
was had its benefits compared to an application.
“Many feature phones still do not have an option for application download. However,
developing an application is the next step” he adds.
Payment Options
According to industry sources, integrating web services into handheld devices would
mean adding payment options to these applications. Currently, mobile applications
Contd...

LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY 23