W3C and WAP Forum team up on wireless Web specs

The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and the WAP Forum have announced a formal partnership to define next-generation specifications to support wireless devices.

The two organisations will work together to develop a common process of producing the specifications, define testing and implementation processes, and to promote the specifications to the industry. They will work together to incorporate the WAP Forum's Wireless Markup Language (XML) into W3C's XHTML, the next generation Internet markup language.

"Our liaison relationship with the WAP Forum will work towards the seamless integration of mobile devices and the Web," said Tim Berners-Lee, director of W3C, in a statement.

A joint co-ordination committee will meet regularly to promote common specifications. In addition to the joint work on XHTML, the two organisations will work on; compatibility with Synchronised Multimedia Integration Language (SMIL); ensuring user control over privacy information; and CC/PP, a universal device profiling protocol. They will also co-ordinate on the future development of XML applications and content adaptation.

What do you think? Tell the Mailroom. And read what others have said.