XHTML is a modularized version of HTML that allows micro-browsers found in handhelds and mobile phones to determine which features to support. One may support color graphics and sound. Another might not need either. But both can use the same XHTML page.

In essence, XHTML makes HTML much less complex so it can be understood by wireless devices which have much less memory than a full-fledged computer. Though a mobile phone might not support every feature of an XHTML application, it can still run the basic program in its less robust environment.

The problem that exists right now is that handheld mobile devices support only specific applications and Web sites because of low memory. The connection speeds for using a laptop to log onto the Internet through a mobile phone are prohibitively slow for extensive use.

It seems that everyone (or a lot of folks, anyway) has finally agreed that XHTML can support the future of wireless computing. A recently announced major drive by many wireless providers and mobile phone manufacturers may get everyone on the same page.

Nokia, Motorola, Ericsson, Siemens and numerous other industry leaders in the mobile communications and content industries have today announced that they are supporting the XHTML markup language (Extensible Hyper Text Markup Language) as the format for the future evolution of mobile services.

The companies also expressed their intention to develop products, content and services based on the XHTML language. XHTML brings the WAP and the fixed Internet (WWW) worlds together.

In addition to handset manufacturers, a number of mobile operators have also announced support for XHTML. Vodafone Group, Orange, Radiolinja, Sonera, DNA, Telenor, Netcom, T-Mobil, TIM (Telecom Italia Group), RadioMobil and EuroTel Praha, have all announced plans to offer XHTML-based services.

XHTML will allow cascading style sheets in micro-browsers. This should make it possible to tailor content for different handsets and create graphical user interfaces for services.

"As a mobile operator it is important to us that our mobile services are easy to use. XHTML gives us the opportunity to develop user-friendly mobile services for third generation mobile telephony. The fact that many producers support XHTML, is promising news in order to reach a global standard for the protocol," said Mikael Kluge, Director Mobile Internet at Europolitan.

"Ultimately, this platform begins to eliminate the challenges that the burgeoning mobile data industry has experienced to date," said Richard Siber, Accenture - partner, Communications & High Tech.

In a recent article, I lamented that while there are some options out there, the functional mobile office is still a few years down the road. This recent announcement has got me thinking (hoping) that it might be less than a few.

But, as always, we'll have to wait and see...

I found a good XHTML Web site at http://www.xhtmlguru.com. I recommend it if you're interested in a relatively easy to understand but comprehensive overview of the language.