Community Participation Drives Evolution of Java Micro Edition Platform

May 14, 2007; 03:04 AM
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. JAVAONE CONFERENCE, May 10, 2007 Sun Microsystems, Inc. ( NASDAQ: SUNW ), today announced the immediate availability of the Milestone Release ( MR2 ) of the phoneME Feature project in the open source Mobile & Embedded Community. MR2 also contains a high performance implementation of Java bindings for the OpenGL( R ) ES API, which provides access to high-end 3D graphic functionality on the device. These capabilities facilitate the creation of graphically rich and compelling entertainment, business, and social networking mobile applications. In addition, Sun announced updates on the evolution of the Mobile & Embedded Community, including new projects around Web 2.0/Ajax, Scalable Vector Graphics( SVG ), Blu-ray Disc and digital TV and developer best practices.


The phoneME Feature project source code forms the basis of Sun's commercial products, the Sun Java Wireless Client and the Connected Limited Device Configuration ( CLDC ) HotSpot Implementation, which are targeted for mainstream mobile devices. The Sun Java Wireless Client enables Sun licensees to develop Mobile Service Architecture ( MSA ) based devices. MSA is the next generation application platform which enables access to most of the native capabilities of mobile devices such as location, enhanced camera support, Bluetooth, personal information and file management, payment, internationalization, security and Session Initiation Protocol ( SIP ).

"As technology continues to converge and more and more participants join the 'network', the demand for new consumer applications continues to increase. Developer participation in the Mobile & Embedded Community will help drive new innovations in Java technology, bring more Java software-based applications to market faster and lead to reduced fragmentation across the entire industry," said Laurie Tolson, vice president, Client Software Group at Sun.

Since its inception in November of 2006, the open source Mobile & Embedded Community has gained great traction with mobile developers worldwide. Already, the Mobile & Embedded Community has over 60 active projects ( including five projects from Sun ) and more than 1,700 forum postings from more than 450 active members. In addition, several community-driven ports of phoneME have already been developed for WinCE/Windows Mobile and Nokia N770/N800, with additional embedded platforms under investigation.

Source code for the phoneME implementations is available at: https://phoneme.dev.java.net/downloads_page.html in the Mobile & Embedded Community on java.net. Sun will also be releasing the Sun Java Wireless Client 2.0 and CLDC HI 2.0, both based on MR2, to commercial licensees on May 17th.

Mobile & Embedded Community Momentum

In addition to today's updates to the phoneME project, the Mobile & Embedded community also includes several new projects:

cq3G:A portable, configurable, automated test suite for verifying a Java technology-enabled device's compliance with the Global System for Mobile Communications North America ( GSMNA ) technical recommendations.
Demo Box project: Live demos and sample applications including showing real world examples of mobile applications utilizing Scalable Vector Graphics ( SVG ) and other Java technologies . In addition, the Demo Box project includes sub-projects with ready-to-use code around user interface, graphics, mobile web 2.0 and more all available under the BSD license.
Developer Best Practices project: Design guidelines initially created in a Sun and Orange collaborative effort to openly define and develop best practices for Java Platform Micro Edition application development. These Best Practices guidelines are now available for the Mobile & Embedded Community to further collaborate, evolve and extend.
Blu-Dahlia: A Java Users Group for developers of Blu-ray Disc Java ( BD-J ) software applications and other Globally Executable MHP ( GEM ) platforms, including: OpenCable Application Platform ( OCAP ), Advanced Common Application Platform ( ACAP ), Multimedia Home Platform ( MHP ) and Internet Protocol Television ( IPTV ). This project will provide a forum for developers to exchange ideas, share best practices and otherwise participate in the rapidly growing industry targeting Java platform-based Blu-ray devices and set-top boxes.
HD Cookbook Project: Contributed code samples and frameworks from Sun Microsystems to help the authoring and content development communities of BD-J platform and other interactive television platforms based on Globally Executable MHP ( GEM ) platforms, including OCAP, ACAP, MHP, and IPTV.
Project Orbit: a collaboration between Sun Microsystems and Laszlo Systems, Inc. to enable OpenLaszlo applications to run on devices supporting the Java ME platform. OpenLaszlo is one of the leading Rich Internet Application development platforms, integrating XML and JavaScript technology to create dynamic Web 2.0 applications.
About the JavaOne Conference

Located at Moscone Center in San Francisco, May 8-11, the annual JavaOne conference is one of the leading events for Java technology developers. Established in 1996, the Conference provides technology enthusiasts the opportunity to learn about the latest technology innovations with Java technology, scripting, open source, Web 2.0 and more. Developers get hands-on experience with the technology, can network with their peers, and have the opportunity to network directly with technology experts from technology industry leaders. For more information about the JavaOne conference, visit ttp://java.sun.com/javaone.



About Sun Microsystems, Inc.
A singular vision -- "The Network Is The Computer" -- guides Sun in the development of technologies that power the world's most important markets. Sun's philosophy of sharing innovation and building communities is at the forefront of the next wave of computing: the Participation Age. Sun can be found in more than 100 countries and on the Web at http://sun.com.