Palm picks IBM Java for Tungsten

Palm has licensed IBM's WebSphere Micro Environment (WME) Java 2 Micro Edition (J2ME) certified runtime environment for inclusion in next-generation Tungsten handhelds.

The move marks the first time Palm has licensed a Java Virtual Machine (JVM) for distribution with its handhelds.

Palm said IBM's WME would enable support of industry standards for the Connected Limited Device Configuration and Mobile Information Device Profile, in compliance with the Sun Technology Compatibility Kits, which will allow Palm Tungsten handhelds to execute J2ME-compliant Midlet Suite applications.

The company added that it will make available a free stand-alone developer toolkit for use with any J2ME-compatible development environment.

According to IBM, its WebSphere Studio Device Developer (WSDD) will be optimised for creating Palm handheld-based Java applications.

The Eclipse-based WSDD will integrate with the other WebSphere Studio tools, and will also provide access to enterprise-oriented components such as DB2 Everyplace and MQ Series Everyplace.

Products are expected to ship worldwide this autumn.