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Telecommunications equipment industry

Nokia Chooses Mosaic Browser for Digital TV Set-Top Boxes

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Nokia, a leading Finnish electronics company, has announced that it will use the Mosaic Web browser developed by Spyglass in a new generation of digital TV set-top boxes. This move marks a significant shift in the field of battle for the Internet browser war, as digital TV brings more channels, better picture quality, and interactive services such as home shopping and Internet access. The Mosaic browser, specifically designed for non-PC devices, is much smaller than ordinary browsers, requiring only three megabytes of memory, a crucial factor in the development of digital TV set-top boxes.

Key Takeaways:

  • Nokia has chosen the Mosaic Web browser developed by Spyglass for its new digital TV set-top boxes, marking a shift in the Internet browser war from the desktop PC to the living room.
  • The Mosaic browser is specifically designed for non-PC devices, requiring only three megabytes of memory, a significant advantage over PC-based browsers that require 10 or more megabytes.
  • The set-top box will offer features such as e-mail, interactive advertising, Internet access, home shopping, home banking, and interactive gaming, despite being designed for low-memory devices.
  • The Mosaic browser will be compatible with Web page features such as tables and frames, but will be simpler to use, with features like drop-down menus and cut-and-paste removed for television viewers.
  • Spyglass is working with Javasoft on the development of Personal Java, a cut-down version of the Java programming language that will require much less memory, addressing concerns that the current Java implementation is too memory-intensive.
  • Microsoft is also entering the digital TV market with its Windows CE operating system, partnering with the US cable TV company Tele-Communications, and is expected to be a powerful force in the market.

Statistics:

  • The Mosaic browser requires only three megabytes of memory, a significant advantage over PC-based browsers that require 10 or more megabytes.
  • Personal Java, a cut-down version of the Java programming language, will require much less memory, addressing concerns that the current Java implementation is too memory-intensive.
  • Microsoft is expected to be a powerful force in the digital TV market, with its Windows CE operating system being offered to set-top box manufacturers.

Sources:

  • The Times, "Nokia Chooses Mosaic Browser for Digital TV Set-Top Boxes"
  • Randy Littleson, quoted as saying "Our browser technology is specifically designed for non-PC devices such as set-top boxes and Internet phones."
  • Helmut Stein, quoted as saying "This is much more than a Web browser."
  • Javasoft, for information on Personal Java.
  • Microsoft, for information on Windows CE operating system.

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