Introducing OWB, an open-source browser for consumer devices

Click here to learn
about this Sponsor:

Home | News | Articles | Polls | Forum

Keywords: Match:

by Jean-Charles Verdie (Aug. 1, 2007)

Foreword: This article by Jean-Charles Verdie, CTO of software development firm Pleyo, introduces the Origyn Web Browser, a new open-source browser that targets a wide range of consumer electronics (CE) devices, including mobile phones, PMPs (portable media players), and STBs (set-top boxes).

Introducing OWB, an open-source browser for consumer devices

by Jean-Charles Verdie

Introduction

Spread the word:
digg this story

The Origyn Web Browser (OWB), created by Pleyo, was designed for use in a wide range of consumer electronics (CE) devices, such as mobile phones, portable media players, GPS devices, PVRs and other set-top boxes, home-gateways, Web-radios, and so on.

OWB makes use of the latest Web standards. It provides access to external Web services, enabling the implementation of functions such as user interface administration and animation.

Pleyo recently released OWB on an open source basis at Sand-Labs.org, under a BSD License.

Architecture

OWB is based on Apple's WebKit open-source Web browser engine, which has set a worldwide standard for Web browsing. To the standard WebKit architecture, Pleyo has added an abstraction layer, known as the "OWB Abstraction Layer" (OwBal).

The OwBal architecture dramatically eases the task of integrating OWB in CE devices, resulting in fast and easy implementation on targeted platforms. The aim of this abstraction layer is to allow CE software manufacturers to leverage existing libraries, instead of having to port the browser along with its full set of dependencies.

To ease the task of porting OWB to new platforms and devices, Pleyo published the OwBal Porting Guide. This guide, which is expected to evolve rapidly, provides a high-level overview of how to deal with OwBal, along with common "trick and tips" of embedded system ports. The Porting Guide is published under Creative Commons License Attribution 2.0 France, and can therefore be reworked by anyone, given that Pleyo remains cited as original author.

The OwBal architecture, while looking complicated, is actually very straightforward; additionally, the CCMake architecture makes it easy to select which components need to be ported or not.

Here's a comprehensive diagram of the abstraction layer:

OwBal architecture diagram
(Click to enlarge)
The suggested development setup is a chrooted Gentoo-based environment, which comes with a straightforward installer. Note that OWB natively comes with a gentoo ebuild file, allowing the developer to do a simple "emerge owb" to get the up-to-date official build, and "emerge owb-svn" to start working on the tree version.

A CCMake compilation environment allows easy reconfiguration. The screenshot below illustrates the control of the Font Engine:

Font Engine reconfiguration using CCMake
(Click to enlarge)
Current ports

Pleyo has already ported OWB to various platforms for consumer device manufacturers, but the company has also released open implementations, such as an SDL (Simple DirectMedia Layer) implementation (the core one), and also a port for the Nokia N800 Internet tablet.

The N800 port currently comes as a patch along with specific documentation, but Pleyo has announced that the next OWB release will include N800 as a mainstream option, just asOS X and Linux/SDL are today.

Here are a few screenshots showing OWB in action:

OWB running on Linux/SDL
(Click to enlarge)

OWB running on OS X
(Click to enlarge)

OWB running on the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet!
(Click to enlarge)

OWB running on the FIC Neo1973 open touchscreen phone
(Click to enlarge)

Future plans, how to get involved

Currently, OWB is being continuously tested and updated by a growing community of both developers and companies. Thus, it is constantly evolving to keep up with the latest Web technologies.

The strategy is to release two versions per year, which are intended to include significant evolutions, such as integrating an optimized SVG renderer, and extracting the XML parser from the core browser. Everyone is welcome to come and grab tickets from the OWB website.

Companies are invited to contact Sand-Labs's board, to get further information on how to become involved in various ways in the open source project.

Because OWB is released under a BSD License, it easily merges with both open and proprietary projects.

Further information is available from:

About the author: Jean-Charles Verdie is CTO at Pleyo, which describes itself as a "web-enabler for consumer electronic devices and a software editor specialized in Web technology for mobile phones, PMPs, STBs, wireless devices, etc." The company, which is focused on "a range of bundled solutions for CEM and Operators in order to deliver contents and services on CE devices," is located in Montpellier, France.

Related stories:

(Click here for further information)

7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.

4 Legal Reasons to Control Internet Access
The Internet is obviously a valuable resource for many organizations. However, many are exposed to legal liability concerns because they fail to control Internet access. Learn if you're safe in this white paper.

Rapidly Resolve J2EE Application Problems
Whether you are in the process of building J2EE applications or have J2EE applications already running in production, you must ensure that they deliver the expected ROI. Learn how in this white paper.

Load Testing 2.0 for Web 2.0
There are many unknowns in stress testing Web 2.0 applications. Find out how to test the performance of Web 2.0 in this white paper.

Build Better Games Online
For the game infrastructure providers, life is complex. Making money from games has become more complicated. Why? Find out in this white paper.

Building a Virtual Infrastructure from Servers to Storage
This white paper discusses the virtual storage solutions that reduce cost, increase storage utilization, and address the challenges of backing up and restoring Server environments.

Gaining Faster Wireless Connections with WiMAX
Welcome to what is quickly becoming the hyperconnected world where anything that would benefit from being connected to the network will be connected. Learn more in this white paper.

Is Your Desktop a Security Threat?
The new wave of sophisticated crimeware not only targets specific companies, but also targets desktops and laptops as backdoor entryways into those business� operations and resources. Learn how to stay safe in this white paper.

Increasing SAN Reliability by 100 Percent
Storage area networks (SAN) are a strong part of storage plans. Learn how to increase your reliability and uptime by 100 percent in this case study.

Got a HOT tip? please tell us!

Click here for a profile of each sponsor:

PLATINUM SPONSORS
<a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/entzd.linuxdevices/desktop;kw=timesys;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?"" style="border-width:0px;height:150px;width:30px;"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/entzd.linuxdevices/desktop;kw=timesys;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?" style="border:0; height: 150; width:30;" /></a>		<a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/entzd.linuxdevices/desktop;kw=windriver;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?"" style="border-width:0px;height:150px;width:30px;"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/entzd.linuxdevices/desktop;kw=windriver;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?" style="border:0; height: 150; width:30;" /></a>

<a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/entzd.linuxdevices/desktop;kw=versalogic;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?"" style="border-width:0px;height:150px;width:30px;"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/entzd.linuxdevices/desktop;kw=versalogic;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?" style="border:0; height: 150; width:30;" /></a>		<a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/entzd.linuxdevices/desktop;kw=winsystems;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?"" style="border-width:0px;height:150px;width:30px;"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/entzd.linuxdevices/desktop;kw=winsystems;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?" style="border:0; height: 150; width:30;" /></a>

<a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/entzd.linuxdevices/desktop;kw=virtuallogix;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?"" style="border-width:0px;height:150px;width:30px;"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/entzd.linuxdevices/desktop;kw=virtuallogix;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?" style="border:0; height: 150; width:30;" /></a>		<a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/entzd.linuxdevices/desktop;kw=trolltech;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?"" style="border-width:0px;height:150px;width:30px;"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/entzd.linuxdevices/desktop;kw=trolltech;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?" style="border:0; height: 150; width:30;" /></a>

<a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/entzd.linuxdevices/desktop;kw=montavista;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?"" style="border-width:0px;height:150px;width:30px;"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/entzd.linuxdevices/desktop;kw=montavista;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?" style="border:0; height: 150; width:30;" /></a>		<a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/entzd.linuxdevices/desktop;kw=calaosystems;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?"" style="border-width:0px;height:150px;width:30px;"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/entzd.linuxdevices/desktop;kw=calaosystems;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?" style="border:0; height: 150; width:30;" /></a>

<a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/entzd.linuxdevices/desktop;kw=technologicsystems;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?"" style="border-width:0px;height:150px;width:30px;"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/entzd.linuxdevices/desktop;kw=technologicsystems;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?" style="border:0; height: 150; width:30;" /></a>		<a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/entzd.linuxdevices/desktop;kw=technicalsolutions;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?"" style="border-width:0px;height:150px;width:30px;"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/entzd.linuxdevices/desktop;kw=technicalsolutions;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?" style="border:0; height: 150; width:30;" /></a>

GOLD SPONSORS
<a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/entzd.linuxdevices/desktop;kw=ultimate;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?"" style="border-width:0px;height:150px;width:30px;"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/entzd.linuxdevices/desktop;kw=ultimate;pos=top;dcopt=ist;zdid=a221772;tile=1;sz=150x30;ord=<script=JavaScript>document.write(Math.round(Math.random()10000000000));</script>?" style="border:0; height: 150; width:30;" /></a>		(Become a sponsor)

ADVERTISEMENT
(Advertise here)

Check out the latest Linux powered...

mobile phones!

other cool
gadgets

HOWTOs: from DevShed & IBM DeveloperWorks:

BREAKING NEWS

• Sub-$4k MicroTCA system comes with Carrier Grade Linux
• Low-cost, small-form-factor Linux PC reviewed
• Single-chip GPS receiver supports Linux
• Home media system runs open source Linux
• OSiM adds developer sessions
• "Open-frame" panel PCs target kiosks
• Ten Android Challenge winners featured
• Netflix Player runs Linux
• World's cheapest Linux-based laptop?
• Open source DNS server takes on BIND
• Wind River, Intel tag-team "infotainment" Linux
• Quick-boot Linux environment makes a splash
• Upgraded VPN software available in Linux micro-server
• POS systems run uClinux
• Die-shrunk Cell processor, blade run Linux

Linux-Watch headlines:
• Virtualization on tap in SLES and RHEL upgrades
• Linux gets security black eye
• Verizon chooses Linux "platform of choice"
• Hats off to Fedora 9
• Running a small business on desktop Linux
• Sun launches OpenSolaris
• Via tiptoes toward openness
• Linux certification comes to Italy
• Installing Ubuntu Hardy Heron as a web hosting server
• Black Duck Buys Koders

Also visit our sister site:

Sign up for LinuxDevices.com's...

news feed

Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Except where otherwise specified, the contents of this site are copyright © 1999-2008 Ziff Davis Enterprise Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff Davis Enterprise is prohibited. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.