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NetFront Browser v3.5 for Internet Appliances
The World’s Browsing Standard
NetFront™ Browser is the most advanced, versatile and powerful full Internet browser for beyond-PC devices. Specifically designed and optimized to deliver high performance in resource-constrained environments, NetFront Browser supports almost any OS and CPU, and offers low power consumption, easy customization,
and a broad range of plug-ins.
These reasons and more are why the NetFront Browser is the most popular choice for manufacturers and operators. In fact, NetFront™ products, including the NetFront Browser as an embedded Internet browser, have shipped in over 590 million devices (as of May 31,
2008) throughout the world, including mobile phones, digital TVs, set-top boxes, mobile handhelds, game consoles, automobile navigation systems and many other types of products.
For complete information on NetFront Browser v3.5 download the PDF brochure.
 NetFront Browser v3.5 (PDF: 1556 KB)
The Advantage | NetFront Browser v3.5
590 Million and Counting...
As a testimony to its popularity, NetFront products, including the NetFront Browser, have shipped in over 590 million devices
(as of May 31, 2008) throughout the world, including mobile phones, digital TVs, set-top boxes, mobile handhelds, game consoles,
automobile navigation systems and many other types of products. Chances are one or more products you use on a daily basis incorporate NetFront™ technology.
This success exemplifies ACCESS’ commitment to bring the Internet to beyond-PC devices and while its heritage began with
mobile phones, ACCESS continues to advance NetFront products, and as more products with in the home become connected,
ACCESS and "NetFront" will be there.
Adapted for "Web 2.0"
Web 2.0 is the next-generation of the Web and also widely recognized as a next-generation services framework, based on the view
of the Web as a platform. Consumers today can experience many innovative Internet services collectively called “Web 2.0 services”
which feature rich user-interfaces delivered through the Web browser on their desktop PCs. And Web 2.0 services promise to
become very popular throughout the mobile world as well. NetFront Browser's browsing engine, though compact, is a powerful
solution for viewing Web 2.0 content prepared for desktop PCs and for extending the Web 2.0 experience to embedded and mobile
devices. NetFront Browser overcomes the memory restrictions and limited key input inherent in embedded devices and adapts the
PC-based Web 2.0 services model for mobile devices. NetFront Browser was developed and optimized for the embedded and
mobile markets and represents the best solution for supporting Web 2.0 services on mobile devices. NetFront Browser also offers the best value for the
Web 2.0 mobile ecosystem, including network operators, handset vendors, content providers and end-users.
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RSS Support
RSS is an XML-based format for content distribution that
allows service providers to feed news, content, and
advertisements directly to the end-user handset, enhancing
services personalization and discoverability.
NetFront Browser provides an RSS library that enables
rapid RSS application development within the browser or as
stand-alone modules that use NetFront Browser's RSS
technology, ensuring high performance with various RSS
formats (RSS 0.9, 0.91, 0.92, 1.0, 2.0/Atom 0.3,1.0).
Device Interactivity
NetFront Browser supports ACCESS' ECMAScript-driven
interface DirectConnect, which was first introduced in 2004.
NetFront Browser also supports DLNA (Digital Living
Network Alliance), providing seamless interaction between
DLNA modules and the browser. The combination of these
two technologies presents developers the opportunity to
build a user-interface for a DLNA application (using HTML,
CSS, and AJAX, etc.) that can handle DLNA device
information through a DLNA control API in ECMAScript.
Flexible Configuration and Easy Portability
NetFront Browser's highly modular and scalable software architecture enables developers to pick and choose only needed components for their
target devices. Should more memory savings be required, modules containing code for unneeded functions can be removed and the code base
and memory requirements are reduced. Should new markup support be required, it's easy to add an additional module. NetFront Browser's high
portability is also a key contributor to its popularity in the mobile space. The two key NetFront Browser components that enable this portability are:
1. SLIM interface
Which encapsulates dependence to the target platform and provides high portability and tight integration for developers.
2. PWS (Plate Window System)
The window system API that generalizes and settles the differences in window manipulations from the underlying operating system. In addition, NetFront Browser can incorporate
an exhaustive set of low-level libraries including WAVE, ACCESS' own windowing system. This means that NetFront Browser can run on the barest of operating systems.
On operating systems that do provide window systems, such as those found on mobile handhelds, these libraries are simply stripped out so no unnecessary code is deployed.
Highly Customizable UX and Branding Opportunities
With NetFront Browser’s modular architecture, the core browser engine, which provides the essential browser functions such as networking and content rendering, is completely independent from the upper application and user-interface layers. This means that the user-interface and application layer can be easily modified to meet particular requirements or customization. Developers can even create an entirely new application based on the same NetFront Browser Technology used in all NetFront Browser products. For device manufactures, this provides a means to differentiate a product with minimal engineering effort. For the mobile operator, this means that a monolithic, consistent
application user interface can be defined across all types of devices. End-users will experience almost identical browser and feature functionality regardless of the device used.
Module Diagram | NetFront Browser v3.5
Features | NetFront Browser v3.5
Improvements in Speed
Faster Content Display Speeds
The time required between the selection of “Select URL” and the initial display of content (First Draw) has been reduced enabling faster content display.
Faster Zoom-In/Zoom-Out
Zooming speeds have been substantially improved, which makes viewing Web pages easier.
Rendering Mode Changes are Now Faster
The time required to change between rendering modes has been significantly reduced enhancing overall browsing performance.
Optimization Service
NetFront Browser now features the browser-embedded data compression/protocol optimization technology EBO (Embedded Browser Optimization) from Bytemobile, Inc. EBO accelerates download speeds by up to four times compared to typical mobile browsing. EBO significantly improves overall browser function and delivers a powerful Internet browsing experience.
New Rendering and Navigation Modes
Column Rendering
In the conventional desktop mode, if the text exceeds the screen width when viewing content, repeated horizontal scrolling is required, which makes browsing cumbersome. Column Rendering automatically wraps text relative to the device screen width allowing end-users to view all text simply by scrolling vertically
Stick Navi
The Stick Navi function moves text to an easily viewable location when it approaches a column, so that text fits on the device screen. Stick Navigation significantly facilitates navigation between columns.
User Experience Evolutions
New libraries and UI options facilitate the integration of the NetFront Browser engine with any kind of application that needs advanced Web rendering capabilities. New browser application highlights include support for Visual Bookmarks, a stunning graphical tool that allows end-users to manage their favorite Web pages and PagePilot™ a pan & zoom navigation tool that enables a desktop-like presentation of Web pages on mobile devices with limited screen sizes.
Swift Navi
Swift Navi significantly smoothes the scrolling of Web pages on mobile devices. |
Swift Navi., Column Rendering, Stick Navi.
View at 720×480 screen resolution
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Animated Zoom
Animated Zoom quickly and smoothly magnifies selected areas of a Web page. |
Animation Zoom
View at 720×480 screen resolution
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PagePilot
PagePilot enables smooth pan & zoom navigation. PagePilot is activated by continuously pressing the scroll key. |
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Visual Bookmarks
Visual Bookmarks enables quick navigation and selection of bookmarks by providing thumbnail previews, page titles, and URLs for bookmarked sites. |
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Site Optimizer
Site Optimizer provides a mechanism for improving web site layout by using a JavaScript™ file to adapt the site to the device. |
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Key Benefits | NetFront Browser v3.5
For Mobile Operators
Introduces an extensive and fully customizable data services platform and consistent end-user experience across multiple device types.
For Device Manufacturers
Provides a modularized architecture, easy integration, extensibility, compact footprint, and a reliable and proven solution on all major platforms and operating systems.
For Contents Providers
Contributes a rich content rendering platform for embedded devices.
For End-Users
Offers the fastest, richest and most intuitive, "Full-Internet" browsing experience and services on mobile devices.
NetFront Browser for Mobile Phones
NetFront Browser is the most popular mobile browser in the world. It provides a flexible expansion of functions to support proprietary services offered by carriers. In devices where the CPU speed and memory capacity are limited, it provides an advanced browsing engine that is sufficient to view the latest PC content. It also provides original functions for high-speed browsing within the small screen and limited input key environment found on mobile phones.
NetFront Browser for IAs (Internet Appliances)
NetFront Browser is widely used in information appliances including TVs, game terminals, set-top boxes, and car navigation systems. Using the separately provided SDK*, developers can easily develop a user interface for the remote control of TVs or other Internet appliances. In combination with ACCESS' DirectConnect, a technology that provides direct control of devices, NetFront Browser can be deployed as a platform to control and interact with Internet appliances.
* Software Development Kit
Specifications | NetFront Browser v3.5
[New in NetFront Browser v3.5]
- NetFront Browser Widgets
- Rendering Quality Enhancement
- HTML MP 1.2
- CSS2.1/CSS3 (partial)
- Canvas Tag
- Column Rendering
- UX Evolutions
- Stick Navi
- Swift Navi
- Smart Slider Menu
- Smart Swing Navi
[Supported Standards]
Compliant with the OMA Browsing 2.3
specification
[Markup]
cHTML, HTML 4.01, XHTML1.1, XHTML Mobile Profile 1.2, WML 1.3, SVGT-1.2, SMIL 2.1, RSS feed (RSS 0.9/0.91/0.92/1.0/2.0, Atom 0.3/1.0)
[Stylesheets]
CSS1, CSS2.1, CSS3 (partial), CSS MP1
[Advanced Scripting]
- ECMAScript 262 3rd Edition
- ECMAScript Mobile Profile
- WMLScript
- DOM Level 1, Level 2
- Dynamic HTML
- Ajax (XMLHttpRequest)
[Protocols]
- HTTP 1.0/1.1
- WAP
- IPv4/IPv6 Dual TCP/IP
[Security]
- SSL3/TLS1.0
- Crypto modules
[Memory Requirements]
- ROM: 1MB-3MB (Kernel +SLIM)
- RAM: 2MB- (Depending on complexity of content viewed)
[Main Features]
- Tabbed Multi-Window support
- Column Rendering
- Stick Navi
- Swift Navi
- Smart Slider Menu
- Smart Swing Navi
- PagePilot (smooth pan and zoom navigation)
- Visual Bookmarks
- Virtual Pointer (pointing device emulation)
- Smart-Fit Rendering™
- Rapid-Render™
- Intelligent Frame Handling (Select and zoom individual frames)
- Continuously adjustable Zooming/Animation Zoom
- Offline Browsing and Page/Image Saving
- Word Wrap, Line boundary character check
- Streaming Download
- DirectConnect (Secure monitoring and control of devices from the browser)
- Intelligent Pop-Up Blocker
- Integrated Internet Search Menu
- Auto Form-Filling
- Authentication Manager
- International Domain Name
[Supported Operating Systems]
- Linux® (ACCESS Linux PlatformTM,
Qt/Embedded, Qtopia, GTK+, and others)
- Symbian OS (Series 60 and UIQ)
- Garnet™ OS
- BREW, REX OS
- Microsoft Windows CE family, Microsoft Windows Mobile (Pocket PC, Smartphone)
- VxWorks
- Nucleus
- ITRON
- Others (OS-9, OSE etc.)
[Supported CPUs]
- ARM®
- XScale®
- StrongARM®
- PowerPC®
- MIPS®
- SH-Mobile and others
[Plug-In and Extension Modules]
NetFront SMIL Player & SVG Viewer
SMIL and SVG modules can be implemented as
plug-ins or as stand-alone players for advanced
3G push services with rich multimedia content.
JV-Lite 2
JV-Lite™ 2 is a SUN Microsystems authorized
Java™ execution environment for embedded
applications. JV-Lite 2 class libraries are
optimized for embedded and provide the best
balance of performance, footprint, and portability.
NetFront Document Viewer
NetFront™ Document Viewer enables full
viewing of PDF files and Microsoft Office
documents including Word, Excel, and
PowerPoint on mobile handsets.
Flash, Flash Lite (Adobe)
NetFront Browser provides a ready-to-use interface
to integrate Adobe® Flash® Player supporting Flash
content embedded within a Web page.
FXUI (Digital Aria)
FXUITM, a solution from Digital Aria Co., Ltd., is a vector graphic multimedia solution for mobile devices. FXUI is designed for CPU environments featuring ARM9 100MHz processors (or higher) and can play back vector graphic content in the QVGA class at 12 FPS or more. FXUI supports the playback of Adobe® Flash LiteTM 2.0 and Adobe® Flash® 7.0 content.
Mascot Capsule (HI)
Mascot Capsule is a 3D rendering engine that
supports the display of visually rich 3D games
or other 3D content on mobile devices.
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