WAP / Web Browser

Also known as "Wireless Internet", "Wireless Web", or "Mobile Web". This feature means that the phone contains mini-browser software that will let you navigate various services through the Internet, shown on the phone's display.

Most older phones with this feature can only display "WAP" pages specifically designed for phones. Many newer phones can also display full web sites, although how well the page fits on the display varies depending on the browser software.

Some traditional web sites do offer versions specifically designed for phones, however frequently only a fraction of the content or services are offered in the wireless version, such as features that are time- or location-sensitive.

Several different standards exists: HDML, WML, cHTML, and xHTML. Older phones support HDML and WML. Most new phones support WML and xHTML.

xHTML, which is related to WAP 2.0, is the standard that the industry is converging on for mobile-optimized web sites, although phones designed to browse the "full web" are increasingly popular.

WAP 2.0 and the full web can be accessed over any type of data connection that reaches the Internet. The cell phone network is most commonly used from phones (with 3G and 4G providing faster service) but short-range options such as Wi-Fi can be used as well, if the phone supports it.

Sharing is happiness: