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Palm-computing is not in vogue as yet. But a Bangalore-based software company, Integra Micro Systems, has recently announced what it claims is "India's first Palm based browser". BT probes.

By E. Kumar Sharma

As more people get used to devouring data from the Web from wherever they are, the tribe of palm browsers is bound to increase. Though the number of domestic players connected with the palmtop world is limited to not more than five or six by some estimates, there is a growing interest in the new opportunities this emerging market is likely to open up.

Drawing attention in this wireless space in the recent past has been Bangalore-based software company Integra Micro Systems. It recently announced what it claims is ``India's first palm-based browser''. Called 'Jataayu WAP browser for the PalmOS platform,' it provides access to WML content on the PalmOS-based devices, and enables users to build applications ranging from Net e-mail and messaging to mobile banking, stock trading, and other mobile commerce operations. The WAP browser, which works on PalmOS currently, is to be shortly made available on other popular operating systems for personal devices such as PocketPC and EPOC.

Says, Raghu Kumar,39, CEO of Hyderabad-based JP systems (India), a company involved in offering products and solutions for hand-held devices: ``Currently, the market size of wireless devices and particularly palmtops in the country is relatively small. Our study has indicated that there are around 20,000 palmtops and between 5,000 and 10,000 WAP phones in the country today, with around four to five companies actively involved in offering products and solutions for RPT palm devices and around 15 companies in WAP services.''

While there is no clear estimate available on the actual number of palmtops in the country, poor market penetration still remains a problem along with the high pricing of wireless devices. According to Raghu Kumar, a palmtop priced at $149 abroad gets quite expensive as it faces a hefty duty of between 45 and 50 per cent in India. Also, poor connectivity is an issue. Nevertheless, he feels, there is good scope for the market to grow as there is now an increasing demand from the corporate sector.

In the meantime, companies are busy forging alliances to market products and services abroad. Jataayu Software, the wholly-owned subsidiary of the Integra Micro Systems, which developed the palm browser, has for instance, entered into a strategic alliance with an international software company to market its palmtop browser. Says Raj Kesarimall, 37, director, Integra Micro: ``We have entered into this alliance to tap the growing international market for palmtop browsers and other products.''

Says Sanjiv Agarwal, 34,head (internet group), Ernst & Young: ``At the moment, the problem with palmtops is that they are regarded more as a glorified digital diary or a stand alone storage device." He feels: "Once, one is able to use them for downloading from the Net while travelling, then it will become a very popular device.'' Also, wireless networks, to which users subscribe and transmit data, are yet to take shape.

Again, this is linked to the problem of inadequate bandwidth and need for players willing to make the huge investments needed to set up these networks. But, in the wireless world nothing is too early. After all, between four months ago and now the number of WAP phones has certainly multiplied. That explains the rush to get every byte WAP enabled.

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