Web Pages Fit For Your HandheldWeb Pages Fit For Your Handheld

Despite the promise of anywhere, anytime access, wireless handheld devices have yet to become must-haves for Web surfing. That's because the screens vary in size, processors can't handle data-intensive applications such as graphics, and browsers designed for handhelds offer little more than basic functions.

But startup ZFrame Inc. is developing a system that it says solves many of those problems. The client-server software provides an exact--albeit smaller--representation of a Web page or an application on devices that support the Palm OS and Microsoft Pocket PC devices, without necessitating a change in the site or application itself.

By tapping parts of the page with a stylus, users can zoom in on specific details and even access links within the page. Here's how it works: Running on a Windows NT/2000 server, the ZFrame system accesses a Web page, then processes the content and presents a miniature version directly to the device.

Though it's still in the early stages of development, ZFrame's potential is impressive, say experts familiar with the system. "The concept is on the money," says Dale Kutnick, CEO and co-research director for Meta Group. "Whether the implementation scales and does everything else remains to be seen. There are other things like this, but this is the best of what I've seen so far."

Others agree. "Assuming all this works as advertised, as a Webmaster you don't have to do anything to your existing pages," says Michael Steinberg, president of the nonprofit New England Palm Users Group. "The tale will be told when [the system] gets out there, and real users try it to see that it fits their needs."

ZFrame is testing the system with a handful of companies. Next week, it plans to begin signing as many as 500 developers for a second series of tests, says president John Robotham. "We're leaving most of the browsing work to the server, and transmitting it to the client as a multilevel document."

ZFrame Server and ZFrame Client operate over Code Division Multiple Access and Cellular Digital Packet Data networks; ZFrame is also testing 802.11b and Bluetooth connections. In addition to Palm OS and Pocket PC devices, the company plans to support Java 2 Mobile Edition and Brew. ZFrame expects to have a commercial version available by year's end; pricing will range from $25,000 to $50,000.