The EU says it's invested 10 million Euro in the three-year webinos project, which aims to deliver a platform for web applications across mobile, PC, home media (TV) and in-car devices.
webinos – previously known as WAX - aims to create an open source platform and software components that will enable the cross-platform use of services and allow technologies to run on multiple screens. For example, consumers would be able to share photos on their mobile phones, televisions and personal computers by using the same photo application on each device.
The webinos consortium consists of industry partners and research organisations, headed by the Fraunhofer Institute for Open Communication Systems (FOKAS) and including Sony Ericsson, Telecom Italia, Deutsche Telekom, W3C, the Research and Technology unit of BMW Group and the UK unit of Samsung Electronics.
Dr Stephan Steglich from Fraunhofer FOKUS said "The vision of the project is to create 'a universal application platform'. That means we aim to enable the use of web applications consistently and securely across all internet-enabled screens, including mobile, PC, TV and in-car entertainment units. We want to overcome restrictions applied by proprietary and vendor-specific technologies, enabling the rapid design of more personalised, secure and innovative applications. Our goal is the development of a secure platform that facilitates the creation of applications for multiple, heterogeneous, devices and operating systems."