Novarra Inc.

Novarra is a mobile internet software company founded in 2000 and based in Itasca, IL, USA. It creates web-based services such as web internet access, portals, videos, widgets and advertising for mobile devices. Novarra provides access to the internet and other services through wireless handsets, PDAs and laptops and sells directly to operators, mobile handset manufacturers and internet brand companies.

History

Novarra started in 2000 and launched its first wireless web software application in 2002 to enable mobile workforce users with Palm (PDA), BlackBerry, Symbol and Windows Mobile devices to access corporate applications through carriers’ wireless networks.

In 2002, Novarra’s first handset manufacturer contract was to supply a browser to Palm, Inc. for Tungsten (handheld) PDAs (branded WebPro).

In 2004, Novarra’s first mobile network operator deployment with U.S. Cellular marked the launch of the BREW (Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless) version of its browser platform and the first US mobile operator to allow open internet access on all handsets.

In 2005, the company released its first Java Platform, Micro Edition browser which was later adopted by several of Hutchison 3G Group's operating companies. It was branded as www3 in Italy and 3Xplorer in Hong Kong.

In 2007 Novarra secured venture capital from Qualcomm and other investors to expand into Asia. Also, their streaming internet video service was launched with 3 Hong Kong and Vodafone United Kingdom utilized Novarra for an update to Vodafone Live! that included an integrated portal, search and open internet access service for all phones. As a first of its kind, this service received much criticism from mobile developers.

In 2008, Novarra took steps to provide guidance for mobile developers when deploying a similar service at Verizon Wireless and is a member of the World Wide Web Consortium Mobile Web Best Practices Working Group.

Products

Novarra Vision Mobile Internet & Multimedia Platform may include any of the components below:

* Mobile Browser for feature phones, smartphones, or emerging market phones
* On-device Portal
* Content Transformation Server
* Video & Multimedia Transcoding
* Widgets
* Mobile Broadband Optimization
* Advertising and Analytics

Market Adoption

Mobile internet access services based upon the Novarra Vision mobile internet and multimedia platform have been deployed in the US, Europe and Asia by service providers including Yahoo, Vodafone, Verizon Wireless, Turkcell, Hutchison 3G, Sprint Nextel, US Cellular and others on mobile phones, smartphones and PDAs from Nokia, LG Group, Samsung Mobile, Motorola Mobile Devices, Palm (PDA), Research In Motion, ZTE Corporation, Sony Ericsson, Kyocera Wireless, and other manufacturers.

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