Funambol
Funambol is an American corporation that earns revenue from its dual-licensing business model[1] that includes commercial software and free open source mobile data synchronization software based on the Funambol core project.
Funambol-based companies
Funambol has been used as a base source code for different providers for use to end users. The source code is modified, refined, and readapted to different mail environments. For example, ThinkPost.net bases its BlackBerry sync software on Funambol and provides an alternative for aftermarket BlackBerry sync using the Funambol source code as a base.
Funambol project
The Funambol core project is a free and open source mobile synchronization server that provides push email, PIM (address book and calendar) and media (pictures, video, music) data synchronization, and device management for wireless devices, leveraging standard protocols such as SyncML. For users, this means BlackBerry-like capabilities on commodity handsets.
Funambol is also a development platform for mobile applications. It provides C++ and Java client APIs and server side Java APIs, and facilitates the development, deployment and management of any mobile project.
Funambol consists of several components, including:
- Funambol Data Synchronization Server: a mobile application server providing synchronization services for wireless clients and PCs, including push email.
- Funambol Device Management: an Open Mobile Alliance Device Management server to remotely manage mobile devices.
- Funambol Connectors: gateways to file systems, databases, email systems, and applications for two-way synchronization with existing data assets.
- Funambol Client Plug-ins: protocol extenders and clients for Microsoft Office Outlook, Mozilla Thunderbird (experimental), Mozilla Sunbird (experimental), Windows Mobile, BlackBerry, Palm, iPod, iPhone and Android so users can synchronize their email messages and PIM data (address book, calendar, tasks and notes) with the server.
- Funambol Software Development Kit: tools to develop sometimes-connected mobile applications on devices (in Java - Java SE and Java ME - and C++) and to add data sources to the server.
History
The Funambol project was started in 2001 by developers because of the lack of an open source Java implementation for mobile device data synchronization. The original name of the project was Sync4j, later changed into Funambol. The Funambol project has gone beyond the original server engine, and now includes administration tools and client-side SDK for Java and C++ development.
Industry recognition
The project has been recognized by industry groups and industry analysts worldwide with several awards:
- "Best Communications Solution". Silicon Valley Telecom Council. February 2010. http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/02/prweb3650854.htm.
- "Best Mobile Services, Delivery Platform Finalist". GSMA Global Mobile Awards. February 2010. http://www.globalmobileawards.com/awards/nominees.shtml.
- "Consumer Cloud Services and Content Sync". MobileVillage. December 2009. http://www.mobilevillage.com/awards2009.htm.
- New Product Innovation Award: Open Mobile Cloud, by Top Mobile Industry Analyst Firm, November 2009
- "Checkie Award for Open Mobile Cloud". VerticalResponse. August 2009. http://www.verticalresponse.com/checkieawards/winners-2009-q2/.
- "Free BlackBerry Storm App of the Day". Wireless And Mobile News. April 2009. http://www.wirelessandmobilenews.com/2009/04/free_blackberry_storm_app_of_the_day_myfunambol_cloud_sync_push_email.html.
- Best Mobile Services, Delivery Platform Finalist, by GSMA Global Mobile Awards, February 2009
- "Best Consumer Mobile Email Software, and Mobile Consumer Software Visionary". MobileStar Awards. October 2008. http://www.mobilevillage.com/yp/funambol.htm.
- Best Emerging Mobile Startup, Expert Jury Award, by Mobile Monday Peer Awards @ 3GSM, February 2008
- "2006 Mobile Star Awards Winners". Mobile Village. 2006. http://www.mobilevillage.com/awards2006.htm. Retrieved 2008-10-07.
- "Editors' Choice 2006". Linux Journal. November 1, 2006. http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/9368#N0xa50890.0xdfe978. Retrieved 2008-10-07.
See also
References
External links