Mobile Applications

Lost Wax has several years experience in mobile computing and wireless technologies. We have renewed our strategic commitment to software innovation in this growing sector. The constraints of WAP and text technologies are now behind us with the arrival of Java enabled phones and devices. For Lost Wax this is an excellent platform for our expertise in innovative Java applications and multi-agent systems.

There are an increasing number of exciting business opportunities targeted at the vast mobile phone and PDA markets. A range of useful consumer and business services, permission marketing and location-based functionality can now be implemented - in a market sector with established revenue models.

Java on a Phone
The success of these new business models will depend partly on the skills and experience gained in implementing online Java applications. Our strengths in Java, J2ME and multi-agent systems give us the experience to handle the challenges presented by distributed applications and intermittent network connections. We have developed frameworks and techniques that provide the core building blocks for the next generation of innovative mobile applications.

See mobile architectures for a technical overview.

Recent experience includes:

• European Telecommunications Company - we recently partnered with IDEO to develop a highly innovative mobile application for a leading European telecommunications company. The application provided a communication mechanism for online communities. The application centred on ‘presence information’ for both business (e.g. I'm available/in a meeting/on the road) and consumer contexts (e.g. I'm happy/sad/happy/want to talk). We found that by using a sub-SMS constant messaging, communities create their own language and metaphors and in the process increase both revenue-earning traffic and brand loyalty.
• Digital Broadcasting – Lost Wax worked in partnership on this groundbreaking and award winning development for Psion Plc. Together we implemented the PC-based WaveFinder digital radio. Lost Wax developed the application using Java and Swing libraries, based on an innovative user interface design from IDEO. We implemented the API between the application and the digital signal-processing chip developed by RadioScape, housed in futuristic aerial designed by IDEO.