Sun commits to web services

Sun Microsystems chose the opening day of its JavaOne conference in San Francisco to commit to web services, particularly over mobile devices.

Rocked by the march stolen by Microsoft and its .Net web services suite due out later this year, Sun is to partner with several key players to make sure it claims a major share of the market.

Java, the programming language that can communicate regardless of operating system or platform, is seven years old, but the new web services software for mobile phones and other devices will not be available until the middle of 2003 at the earliest.

"2002 is the year of wireless Java," affirmed Nokia's mobile software vice president Jouko Hayrynen during yesterday's keynote.

Sun will embrace XML underpinning data and messages, and mobile specialists Sprint, Research In Motion and Motorola all called for more Java programmers to work on the project.

Rich Green, vice president of Java and XML for Sun, said that the march into web services would "enable device manufacturers, service providers and content creators to maintain a competitive advantage".

He argued that the offering would prove cost-effective. "Without question, the wireless customer device market is where significant opportunities lie for the developer," he said.

JavaOne continues until Friday with Sun boss Scott McNealy delivering his keynote this morning (26 March).