Summary

In this chapter we have covered:

The history and evolution of the Internet mail protocols

How an Internet mail system is structured

Programming Internet mail for a WAP device using JavaMail

Programming WAP mail applications with CDO

JavaMail and CDO both provide WAP developers with an easy way to construct server-side applications that can deliver simple, and yet powerful, messaging capabilities. We have seen in this chapter how we can leverage these existing technologies in our new WAP applications, whatever platform is our base.

WAP provides an opportunity to redesign and rethink the way people communicate and utilize digital information. E-mail represents one of the most important and growing communications mechanisms. As the focus on the Internet shifts from personal computers and wired devices to a more natural mobile web of interconnected WAP devices, providing WAP-based applications with e-mail capabilities will be one of the key factors in creating successful m-commerce applications.

In the next chapter, we'll move on to see how we can use directory services in our mobile applications, by combining WAP and LDAP.