• MOST READ

• LATEST NEWS

Mobile Java has been a fragmented platform, and has not achieved a fraction of the uniformity of its bigger siblings, but now there are more serious attempts to bring many of the features of PC-based Java to the mobile world, luring developers and improving the functionality of cellphone apps. Recently, we saw Sony Ericsson's Project Capuchin looking to provide a converged Flash/Java platform for mobile developers. Also, at the JavaOne show in San Francisco last week Sprint Nextel announced a new Java platform geared to expanding the range of open access programs, supporting a full internet experience, on which its Clearwire WiMAX joint venture network will depend for differentiation.

Sprint showed off a revamped developer program and an upgraded toolkit along with Titan, a platform aimed at "opening the door to millions of developers who have traditionally designed for a desktop environment". It offers the same codes, tools and resources as those used for desktop applications, and is available in beta version for Windows Mobile developers, though it will later be moved to other operating systems too. The carrier also unveiled the Sprint Wireless Toolkit 3.3, which includes developer resources for the upcoming Samsung Instinct CDMA handset, one of the string of 'iPhone killers' supporting challenges to AT&T.

Also at JavaOne, Nokia announced an upgraded version of its Java-based software development kit, geared in particular to mobile games and the Finnish giant's SNAP Mobile Java gaming business. The SDK includes the SNAP Mobile Client API libraries, as well as an Emulation Environment application and a handset and network compatibility test tool.

Of course, despite progressive moves to open source Java, the platform's creator Sun remains a pivotal force, even if it has never really exploited the potential of its control of Java. Sun came down firmly on the side of the 'one internet' camp last October, when it said it would gradually phase out the mobile specific version of Java, J2ME, in favour of a unified system - an approach recently echoed by Adobe. Sun also acquired SavaJe, maker of a mobile operating system based entirely on PC - rather than mobile - Java; and staked a claim to real influence in the mobile internet market, with the launch of FX Mobile last year. All these showed a new determination by Sun to put its technology at the heart of one of the most important developments in the wireless world, the mobile internet user interface and applications environment.

Nearly all the mobile heavyweights, apart from Microsoft, use Java heavily in their platforms, but Sun has failed to create much impact under its own brand, ceding the dominant influence in standards processes to Nokia and others. Now it aims to change that, and is rumored to be working with Samsung on a handset software platform based on FX Mobile and SavaJe. This would be a direct alternative to other systems that use Java, such as Nokia's Series 60 or Motorola/Sony Ericsson's UIQ, as well as to non-Java contenders like Qualcomm Brew, Apple iPhone and Microsoft Windows Mobile.

Pages: 1 | 2

COMMENTS

No comments yet. Be the first to add a comment!

Digital Money: The Convergence of Contactless Card and Mobile Payments

This report examines the emergence of digital money from the perspective of the convergence of card-based proximity payments to the...

Cloudbooks: Market Analysis and Forecasts
This report is based on interviews with device OEMs, retailers and resellers and provides a comprehensive analysis of the new cloudbook...