Spyglass Inc.
Tuesday released the latest version of its Device Mosaic Web browser that
allows a variety of non-PC devices to access the Web.
Spyglass Device Mosaic 3.1 was created to serve as an application
platform for digital cable, satellite, wireless, and other non-PC products.
Spyglass Device Mosaic differs from other browsers because additional
applications including e-mail, television channel guides, or customer care
services can be built into the product using the same core Internet
functionality that powers the browser.
New features added in this version include support for
JavaScript and Secure Sockets Layer 3.0 and easy integration with Spyglass
Device Mail 3.1, Spyglass’ new e-mail product that also debuted Tuesday.
Including the enhancements, Spyglass Device Mosaic remains under one
megabyte in size, which is much smaller than similarly equipped desktop
browsers.
Motorola Inc. and Nokia are among the companies that will use the new
browser. Motorola plans to incorporate it into its Blackbird digital TV
platform and Nokia will integrate it into its own set-top box.
Spyglass said the new features are important to the television market since
JavaScript allows users to interact dynamically with Web sites and SSL
because it provides the encryption necessary for electronic commerce.
Spyglass General Manager Randy Littleson said that the addition of new
features will drive customer acceptance of Internet access on devices other
than personal computers.
“Communications, interactivity, and commerce are the reasons the Web has
and will continue to be a force in the marketplace,”
Littleson said. “Our latest technology release enables all three while
remaining true to the small memory size that made us
attractive to manufacturers in the first place.”
