Sun to Java-enable mobile devices

Sun Microsystems and its partners in the wireless industry are finally fulfilling their promise to Java-enable wireless devices.

Sun Microsystems and its partners in the wireless industry are finally fulfilling their promise to Java-enable wireless devices.

Last week, the company, along with partners Motorola, Nokia, Siemens and Sony, announced a Java-based platform that will allow service providers to deliver personalised interactive services on mobile devices.

Eric Chu, director of product marketing for Sun's consumer and embedded Java products, said the Mobile Information Device (MID) profile, based on a Java programming environment, adds capabilities to Java 2 Micro Edition that allow service providers to stream graphical content to mobile devices.

According to Chu, MID is geared towards developing interactive applications for this purpose, rather than just using technologies such as XML to send browser-structured information to a cellular phone.

Chu said that before the arrival of MID, content provided via Wap on wireless devices such as phones and personal digital assistants was text based.

"When we worked with these operators, they told us that this isn't about bringing a browser into your handset," he said. "This is about delivering the most compelling personalised services via handsets."

Companies developing or deploying technology based on MID include Nokia, Motorola, Siemens, Research in Motion, Sony, NEC, Mitsubishi, Nextel and Telefonica.