Today, ACCESS Co., LTD has announced the Technical Preview of their award winning NetFront browser for Pocket PC.  In the new version, improved performance is accomplished by enhanced rendering speed due to optimization of the communication processing and a review of the model structure.  A new “Visual Bookmarks” feature allows you to view a (previously saved) thumbnail of the page before loading it.  In addition, an innovative “Page Pilot” view that allows you to see the entire page layout and select which portion you want to zoom into (view).

Better hurry though, the preview expires on January 31st, 2007!  Additional things to know about the preview version is the requirement for Windows Mobile 5, tabs are restricted to 2, there is no Flash support at present, and support for Java (via JV-Lite2) is missing.

I’ll be testing the new version and give an overview over the coming weekend for those that are interested but have not “ponyed up” for a 3rd party PPC browser.

TOKYO, Japan, - January 19, 2006 - ACCESS CO., LTD. (TSE:4813) today announced the availability of a technical preview version of its NetFront Browser v3.4 for Pocket PC, an Internet browser for Pocket PC devices.  By making this technical preview available, ACCESS expects to obtain extensive feedback from users prior to releasing the final commercial version of the browser, which is scheduled for release in the first half of this year.  Both the Japanese and English language versions of the technical preview version of NetFront Browser v3.4 for Pocket PC will be available for download from ACCESS’ website free of charge.

The NetFront Browser v3.4 is designed to provide high performance in resource-constrained environments such as those with limited memory or CPU capabilities and is an ideal Internet browser for mobile terminals and other consumer electronics.  The NetFront Browser v3.4 enables full Internet browsing on more than 1,000 commercial devices including PDAs and smartphones. There are currently 300 million NetFront Browser deployments worldwide.

The technical preview version of NetFront Browser v.3.4 for Pocket PC delivers significant functionality to both corporate and individual users including increased operating speed thanks to optimized communications processing and a redesigned module structure.  The technical preview version also includes a new, improved Page Pilotâ„¢ feature, which allows users to quickly zoom in on any area of a Web page.  Also featured is Visual Bookmark an advanced technology that allows users to easily select a bookmark through a thumbnail image.

ACCESS will incorporate valuable customer feedback received from the availability of the technical preview version into the final commercial release of NetFront Browser v3.4 for Pocket PC. 

The technical preview version NetFront Browser 3.4 for Pocket PC can be downloaded at:
Japanese version: http://nfppc.access.co.jp/about_34.html
English version: http://www.access-company.com/products/netfrontmobile/browser/34_wm_tp.html

About ACCESS CO., LTD.
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 NetFrontâ„¢ browser, Palm OS® and the ACCESS Linux Platformâ„¢ provide customers with solutions that enable faster time-to-market, flexibility and customizability. The Company, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, operates 29 subsidiaries and affiliates within Asia, Europe and the United States. ACCESS is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers Index under the number 4813. For more information about ACCESS, please visit http://www.access-company.com/

ACCESS and NetFront are trademarks or registered trademarks of ACCESS CO., LTD. in Japan and other countries.  All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Press Release: ACCESS Releases Technical Preview Version of NetFrontâ„¢ Browser v3.4 for Pocket PC