European mobile operators are preparing to implement Sun’s J2ME platform for wireless applications.
The wireless industry hopes Java will overcome the biggest hindrance to mobile application development – standardization. Sun’s J2ME (Java 2, Micro Edition) platform is the first standard application platform for mobile devices. A program written in J2ME will work on any Java-enabled wireless device, regardless of model or manufacturer variations.
While WAP applications are visually simple, Java phones boast enhanced graphics with color screens, allowing new interactive features such as games. The user can also interact with applications online or offline, so games can be played and calendars updated when a phone would normally be turned off.
In Japan, Java phones are primarily used for personal use. In Europe, however, Sun is focusing more on solutions for professional users, such as access to company intranets. Cultural differences will force operators to offer a wider array of content in Europe than in games-centric Japan.
This viewpoint is supported by Spanish operator Telefonica Moviles’ recent deal with Sun to offer Java services over GPRS. So far around 30 companies have signed up to develop a wide range of applications, in the first major application of J2ME in Europe. Players across the European wireless industry will be watching developments closely.
Device manufacturers will also take a major role in Java’s European progress. Nokia has launched a Java 9210 Communicator in Europe, while Motorola is developing the Accompli 008 phone and three other Java-enabled devices. Nokia plans to have 50 million Java phones on the market by the end of 2002, and double this number by the end of 2003. This is testament to the industry’s belief Java can succeed where other technologies have failed.
However, the mistakes made with WAP must not be repeated. J2ME is still relatively new, and standards have not quite been finalized, while a few bugs have already been reported. These problems must be ironed out, especially for use in a business environment. But the greatest challenge will be developing a wide variety of content to make the technology appealing to end-users.
