Sun opens up mobile Java platform

New tools are designed to deliver advanced graphical applications for Java-enabled phones

Sun Microsystems has announced early access to a suite of tools and platform products supporting the new standard blueprint for its next-generation mobile Java Platform Micro Edition (Java ME) offering.

Based on the new Mobile Service Architecture - Java Specification Request (JSR) 248 and JSR 209 (Advanced Graphical User Interfaces) specifications - the tools are designed to deliver advanced graphical applications for Java-enabled phones.

They will enable developers to create phones with rich multi-media functions, 3D graphics, location-based services, mobile payment capabilities, Bluetooth support and improved interfaces, the company said.

"With handsets becoming more sophisticated, the Java ME platform is evolving to meet these new capabilities," said Alan Brenner, vice president of Sun's Client Systems Group.

"The addition of technology to support functionality such as rich multi-media collaboration, animation and customised phone environments is a major step forward for the platform.

"JSR 248 and JSR 209 provide a glimpse at the kinds of handset applications consumers will begin seeing reach the market next year."

Sun products developed for Java ME application developers, handset manufacturers and operators include the Sun Wireless Toolkit for Connected Limited Device Configuration with Mobile Services Architecture or JSR 248 support. A beta release is planned for June.

This product provides the support necessary to allow applications written to the supported APIs in JSR 248 to be tested and debugged.

Sun Java Wireless Client, MSA or JSR 248 subset support, to be released in May, will serve as the basis of the software stack that maximises the number of applications that can run on a handset.

And a newly developed NetBeans extension, NetBeans Mobility Pack for CDC, also for May 2006, provides developers with the ability to create advanced mobile applications for CDC-based devices.