WML Overview
http://www.webmonkey.com/01/19/index1a.html?tw=authoring

Adams, Paul
Webmonkey
2001

Abstract:

WAP is the Wireless Application Protocol, actually a suite of protocols and specifications designed to allow folks to receive Internet-type data on mobile devices. The often-heard catchphrase — used, for example, to explain WAP to your parents or your customers — is 'the Internet on your phone.' Unfortunately, that's a bit misleading because WAP services are available on an array of devices, not just phones, and because only a tiny subset of the Internet can be viewed via WAP. WAP has gotten its fair share of negative press (much of which is summarized here) and is generally considered to be not quite perfect — but, like it or not, it's been rolled out on a fairly large scale. WAP is best suited for small, concrete pieces of data; stock quotes, addresses, instant messaging, and such. It's much less well suited to things like huge threaded message boards or slideshows from our trip to wine country. To accommodate the limitations of a phone-sized platform — tiny screen, minimal input options, low bandwidth, and excruciating per-minute charges — a special markup language, part of the WAP specification, has been devised.