Sun Microsystems Inc.’s Java technology is 10 years old this year, a milestone the company is using to highlight Java’s widespread influence throughout the electronics and computer industries.
When Sun introduced the technology, the company promoted Java as the “write once, run anywhere” platform for developers. The goal was to have one technology working in a variety of environments, from high-end servers to low-power electronic gadgets. Although some would argue Java has not lived up to its “write once, run anywhere” billing, the technology nonetheless has spread throughout the nooks and crannies of the technology market.
Java comes in several flavors, depending on its intended use. Java Standard Edition is aimed at desktop users and applications and forms the basis for Java Web Services and Java Enterprise Edition. Java EE is designed specifically for developing tools, services and application programming interfaces for enterprise applications. In the wireless industry, these Java platforms typically are used in the computers and servers that run wireless networks.
But Java in wireless is primarily known through the Java Micro Edition flavor of the technology. Java ME (previously called J2ME) is a set of technologies and specifications targeted at consumer and embedded devices like mobile phones, personal digital assistants, printers and set-top boxes.
In mobile phones specifically, Java ME is used to download and run colorful, graphically rich applications like games, maps, e-mail services and even video clips. Before technologies like Java, wireless users were stuck with wireless Web browsers that could display only static text and pictures. After Java, users could run simple games like “Pac-Man” and “Tetris” and other fun and useful applications.
“This is a very compelling platform in terms of what you can do with it,” said Eric Chu, senior director of mobile and embedded systems at Sun.
In a handset, Java applications run on top of a Java virtual machine-a bit of software that governs the operation of a Java application. A variety of companies sell Java virtual machines, including Sun, IBM Corp., Esmertec AG and Aplix Corp. Most handsets sold today feature either a Java VM or a similar, rival technology from Qualcomm Inc. called BREW.
Java first hit the wireless handset scene in Asia about five years ago. It quickly spread to carriers in Europe, then the United States and elsewhere. Cingular Wireless L.L.C., Nextel Communications Inc., T-Mobile USA Inc. and Sprint Corp. offer Java-based application download services.
Java’s primary selling point is that a content developer can develop an application and have it work basically the same way on any phone that has a Java virtual machine. However, there are a wide range of complications to this proposition.
First, phones vary according to screen size, keypad functions, memory capacity and numerous other aspects, which means that most Java applications must be tweaked to run on specific handset models. Further, most users purchase Java applications through their wireless carriers, so developers must sign multiple carrier agreements to sell their applications over carrier networks.
To combat such concerns, wireless industry players founded the Java Technology for the Wireless Industry initiative. Passed in 2003, the JTWI was an attempt to unify the implementation of Java across the wireless industry. Last year, Nokia Corp. and Vodafone Group plc announced their Mobile Service Architecture initiative-a new effort to unify the implementation of Java technology on handsets. Where the JTWI served to unify the basic aspects of Java, the MSA effort is intended to collect and codify the newest innovations in Java. The MSA initiative-which features a variety of participants-is also tasked with streamlining the licensing process for intellectual property.
“We as an industry want to offer our customers the best platform as possible,” said Victor Brilon, senior manager of Java market development with Nokia. “It’s a very serious initiative.”
Sun held its JavaOne developer’s conference last week, where the company highlighted the progress Java has made in the wireless industry. The company-along with other Java proponents-also announced several new efforts to continue the evolution of Java. Among those announcements:
c Sun said it is working with Japanese carrier NTT DoCoMo Inc. to develop a new, more advanced Java platform for mobile phones. DoCoMo has offered Java application download services for years under its iAppli service.
c Toshiba announced it will use Sun’s Java virtual machine for its third-generation handsets.
c Ericsson Mobile Platforms and Sun announced a teaming to develop multitasking technology for the Java platform. Esmertec and LG Electronics Co. Ltd. also announced a multitasking effort.
c Nokia said it will add Java Connected Device Configuration technology in its Series 60 smart-phone platform. CDC is an advanced version of the more common Connected Limited Device Configuration for mobile phones.
c Finally, the 3G Americas trade association announced it will develop a set of software and hardware specifications to implement Java in North and South America. The group said its recommendations will ease the region’s migration to the MSA’s Java specifications.
“We think this will move the U.S. market forward,” explained Sun’s Chu. “For the rest of the market, our main focus is on the MSA initiative.”
Although the wireless industry has centered around Java virtual machines in mobile phones, that’s not the only place you can find Java. Research In Motion Ltd.’s BlackBerrys run on a Java operating system, as does Danger Inc.’s Hiptop device. Further, Java can be found in new smart cards for GSM phones and other devices; smart-card vendor Axalto said it expects to sell 400 million Java smart cards this year.
The widespread use of Java in wireless has spurred some to wonder whether Sun eventually will open Java’s source code. Indeed, Sun announced during its developer’s conference that it would release the source code to its server products-a move the company hopes will encourage companies to pay for other Sun products.
However, Sun’s Chu said the company has no plans to open the source code for its Java Micro Edition technology for mobile phones.
