ROTTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS – In a move designed to demonstrates its commitment to making its applications more open to developers and wireless service providers, the the Joint Innovation Lab (JIL) has pledged to open its widget API specification to other wireless service providers and contribute the specifications to the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).
JIL said that the widget API specs will be available to any wireless company looking to offer a development platform for mobile Web based applications, in the hopes of encouraging broader adoption of the JIL specification by operators and OEMs, and reduce industry fragmentation.
“By contributing our widget API specification to the W3C, we are creating the foundation for all wireless service providers and handset manufacturers to participate in a common, open mobile development platform," said JIL CEO Peters Suh, in a statement. "JIL remains committed to the developer community and we will continue to take a leadership role in identifying new areas of innovation which will ultimately lead to enhanced commercialized products and services for our customers."
JIL said that the availability of an open specification with broad global reach will encourage more developers to create innovative mobile applications, benefiting consumers through improved quality and choice.
Established in 2008, JIL is a joint venture between China Mobile, Softbank, Verizon Wireless and Vodafone that has launched a range of tools to encourage innovation among global mobile developers.
