Sun Microsystems Inc duly trotted out a description of its picoJava architecture and microJava 701 implementation at Comdex this week. But it is the licensees’ plans that are crucial to the future of Java-on-silicon now that Sun no longer intends to sell chips itself. The 701 is destined for prototype and development uses only. Meantime, Korea’s ETRI research institute has developed a NetTheater consumer device using LG Semicon’s picoJava implementation designed to provide web access and email in a low-cost alternative to a PC. The processor is called mj 501 and runs at 100MHz supporting PersonalJava 1.1. ETRI estimates the chips will cost $30. It has a real-time operating system called Teapot supporting Personal Java and a windowing system it calls Cream. The beta release uses a 33MHz microJava part which isn’t LG’s. It didn’t reveal its supplier. The device – or at least its design – will be available from next July. Fujitsu Ltd is creating highly integrated LSI chipsets which incorporate picoJava to execute Java byte codes for all kinds of consumer devices. It’s offering JavaOS running on its SparcLite chips (compatible with Sun’s microSparc) and will implement JavaOS on its picoJava implementation next year. NEC Corp is focusing on embedded ASIC designs and has a demo picoJava chip design running at 20MHz on an evaluation board. Siemens is using picoJava in its Java smart cards. There was no mention of IBM Corp or Rockwell Collins’ plans.
