WBMP and BMP files are similar
because they are both types of bitmap images, but practically speaking
they are very different. Whether you are trying to open a certain file
type but can't, or are trying to decide what format to save an image as,
understanding how different bitmap images work and what they are used
for can be very helpful.
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Bitmap Images
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The broad term "bitmap" describes a digital image that is like a map full of dots, or pixels. When seen from a distance, a bitmap images look smooth. Bitmap images come in several different file formats, including BMP, WBMP, JPG and GIF.
BMP
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BMP is short for "bitmap" and refers to the file extension .bmp, even though it isn't the only type of bitmap file. People pronounce it as "bump" or "B-M-P." Sometimes they refer to it as a "bitmap image." This format is different from other bitmap images because it stores color in every pixel without compression.
BMP Uses
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BMP files were originally designed for use on Windows PCs, but are now also recognized on Macs. Since BMP files store color in every single pixel, they can be quite large. They are useful for printing or large projections, but are not convenient to email or upload to the Internet. In comparison, other bitmap file formats, such as JPEG and GIF, use compression algorithms to decrease file sizes. These types of files are more practical for Internet use.
WBMP
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WBPM is short for "wireless application protocol bitmap format" and refers to the file extension .wbpm. This type of bitmap file was designed for use on mobile devices like PDAs and cell phones. WBPM files are similar to BMP files because they are not compressed and use every pixel. Unlike BMP files, however, they are monochrome, which means they only display black and white.
WBMP Uses
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WBMP files were practical when wireless devices were first able send and receive images, because they were in a format almost universally recognized and did not take up much space. They have become less common as these devices have become more powerful and capable of displaying full-color image and video formats. Since they were designed for use on phones and PDAs, WBMP files typically can't be viewed on a computer unless you have a special viewing tool or convert them to a different format.
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