the mobile and beyond-PC markets, today announced the launch of a beta version of its NetFront™ Browser Widgets community site, where users can download and try free widgets for mobile devices. Widgets provided on this site can be used after users download and install a free beta version of NetFront Browser Widgets Player, which initially is compatible with Windows Mobile versions 5.0 and 6.0. NetFront Browser Widgets is based on ACCESS' acclaimed NetFront Browser engine, one of the most widely-used browsers on the market today, with over 590 million deployments worldwide.

Widgets are mini applications displayed in small GUI windows on the screen of a handset or consumer electronic device. Widgets appeal to users because they can be accessed without having to open the handset's browser, automatically acquiring and displaying the latest information from the Web. The NetFront Browser Widgets community site provides a variety of widget applications such as maps, weather forecasts and games.

"ACCESS will begin providing tools for developers to create their own widgets in the near future," said Toru Arakawa, CEO, president and co-founder of ACCESS. "By providing a platform for interchange among users and developers, ACCESS will facilitate the development of innovative content based on NetFront Browser Widgets, as well as contribute to the ubiquity of widget culture."

The NetFront Browser Widgets community site is available in English and Japanese at the following URL: http://www.access.co.jp/nfbwc/

A widget player for smartphones using Windows Mobile 5.0 Smartphone Edition and Windows Mobile 6.0 Standard Edition is planned for the future.

About ACCESS

ACCESS CO., LTD. is a global company providing leading technology, software products and platforms for Web browsing, mobile phones, wireless handhelds, and other networked devices. ACCESS' product portfolio, including its NetFront™ Browser, Garnet™ OS (formerly Palm OS®) and ACCESS Linux Platform™, provides customers with solutions that enable faster time to market, flexibility and customizability. The company, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, operates 24 subsidiaries and affiliates within Asia, Europe and the United States. ACCESS is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mother's Index under the number 4813.

Information Source:    PRNewswire