Interest in the Java platform for wireless devices, apparent at this week's Sun's JavaOne conference, is just a taste of things to come, Rich Green, Sun's vice president of Java software development, said.
"Wireless is a pretty big deal right now," Green said.
As smaller and smaller devices perform more and more sophisticated functions, Java has become an important technology. "Java is perfect because it provides a common application layer," Green explained.
This week, Sun announced the Java 2 Platform, Micro Edition (J2ME), an open wireless technology that enables mobile devices to download new applications and services. The technology includes a Mobile Information Device (MID) profile that lets mobile devices download new applications and services.
Vendors involved in the development of the MID profile include mobile industry giants such as Nokia, L.M. Ericsson Telephone and Sony.
Green said he's confident the Java platform will catch on with developers of wireless devices. "You are going to see vendors of phones, pagers and set-top box vendors adopt the Java platform," he said.
For example, Sony Europe and Sun Wednesday announced an agreement to develop mobile phones based on J2ME technology, and will begin shipping the devices in Europe next year.
More announcements should be forthcoming, Green said.
"There are things coming in the pipeline in the devices of the cell phone class," Green said. "In the wings there are small devices... that can run applications for rich graphics, large screen color and more."
Sun, in Palo Alto, can be reached at +1-650-960-1300 or at www.sun.com/.
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