The Symbian handheld device consortium has lined up with Sun Microsystems Inc in an agreement to incorporate Java technology into its software platform.
With Java running on SymbianÆs EPOC operating system, the two organizations believe that developers will be able to supply a vast range of content and services that will overcome any problems of incompatibility when they are used across a wide range of wireless information devices. Compatibility will enable service providers to accommodate devices from a wide range of manufacturers.
While a deal between Sun and Symbian has been mooted for some time (CI No 3,596), the nature of the emerging alliance confirms Microsoft Corp chairman Bill Gates’ view that the Symbian alliance is a threat to his organization.
Not only has EPOCÆs success in becoming the dominant operating systems for the new generation of wireless information devices left MicrosoftÆs CE OS far behind, but the adoption of Java as the main language for applications in devices shuts the door on Microsoft entering the largest section of a vast new market.
Sun president and CEO Scott McNealy could not resist crowing that the potential impact of Sun and Symbian on the wireless market is enormous. The Wireless Information Device is likely to be one of the most influential networked devices to drive customers into the post-PC era, providing a vast new market for wireless networked services and applications, he said.
Psion Plc, which developed the EPOC OS, was an early licensee of SunÆs Java-based networking protocol Jini and the work they undertook laid the basis for the current agreement. While there has been speculation that the Java Virtual Machine will be supplied as a plug-in card, Sun insists that no additional hardware will be necessary.
Symbian believe that its share of the Wireless Information Device market will be between $40m and $60m over the next five years. Both Symbian and Sun this week celebrated a big success in the Japanese market with agreements with the NTT DoCoMo, the countryÆs largest mobile operator.
Commercial and technical terms of the deal between Symbian and Sun have now been settled, though lawyers have still to draw up the final papers. The first devices incorporating EPOC and Java are expected to be shipped before the end of the year.
