The Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) today announced the availability of the OMA Generic Open Terminal API Framework (GotAPI) Version 1.0. OMA GotAPI is a comprehensive framework that enables Web-based device APIs to work seamlessly on Smartphones such as Android devices or iPhones. Using GotAPI, applications are able to work with both the Smartphone and external Internet of Things (IoT) devices using Web technology.

Many devices such as watches, cameras, smart glasses, toys, healthcare devices and even automobiles are connecting to Smartphones. OMA GotAPI enables these devices to connect to Smartphones or other devices in a standardized way. This allows developers to create applications compatible with a variety of devices, which until now have required dedicated development efforts. Applications running in browsers can access external devices consistently across any OS, giving developers the opportunity to create a new ecosystem of interoperable devices and applications. This open architecture allows developers to write less complex applications for smart devices while expanding market reach.

“OMA is pleased to have been able to publish the GotAPI Framework in such a short amount of time,” stated Gary K. Jones, Chairman of the OMA Board of Directors. “Interoperability across devices and networks is one of the primary goals of OMA, and with GotAPI, we have given the developer community an excellent new tool for creating the Internet of Everything.”

The OMA Content Delivery Working Group began development on GotAPI in the first quarter of 2014 and the Framework was released in February of 2015. GotAPI development has been widely supported by OMA members including NTT DOCOMO who contributed their Device Connect WebAPI as the basis for OMA GotAPI.

“For widespread use and expansion of IoT, NTT DOCOMO believes that openness of the relevant technologies is essential,” said Seizo Onoe, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at NTT DOCOMO. “That is why we have been actively leading the standardization of GotAPI and we have open-sourced the GotAPI-compliant software to promote the innovation (https://github.com/DeviceConnect/DeviceConnect). We expect that the GotAPI 1.0 release will trigger the opening of the new era of cooperation between smartphones and external devices.”

OMA member Vuzix demonstrated OMA GotAPI at this year’s Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. The demo live-streamed video from Vuzix M100 Smart Glasses to a remote PC browser window. The GotAPI framework allows web-based device APIs in smart devices like the Vuzix M100 to work seamlessly across multiple platforms and operating systems.

To access the OMA GotAPI Framework, see http://technical.openmobilealliance.org/Technical/technical-information/release-program/current-releases/generic-open-terminal-api-framework-1-0.