If real-world demonstrations are any indication, multifunction
third-generation (3G) wireless devices may not be such a pipe dream
after all.
Although Sun Microsystems has used the JavaOne show here to
demonstrate Java-enabled wireless devices running Java-based
applications, the company also has offered a glimpse of
opportunities facing developers and manufacturers targeting
wireless technologies.
According to Sun executives, that future includes tighter
integration between Java applications built around the Java 2 Micro
Edition (J2ME), micro semiconductor technology, and Java 2
Enterprise Edition (J2EE) server applications.
In particular, executives report that wireless provisioning of a
common model for deploying content into J2ME wireless devices from
J2EE servers is currently the subject of a Java Specification
Request (JSR) being considered by the Java committee, comprised of
about 400 companies. The JSR is expected to be approved within 12
months.
According to Glen Martin, Sun's senior product manager of J2EE
specifications, the goal is to push applications or content
residing on a server to any wireless device, regardless of
platform.
Java offers the ability to integrate technologies from the server
to the wireless device, Martin said. In addition, "Web services
provides a standard way for organisations to request their
services," he said.
Since the first Java-enabled phones started selling earlier this
year, mobile phone makers have already combined to ship 3 million
of the Java products. By the end of this year, that figure could
surge to more than 20 million, according to Curtis Sasaki, Sun's
director of technology advocacy.
"From last year to this year, I think you have seen a maturity in
the reality of J2ME in play here," Sasaki said. "We aren't just
talking about things that will come, but things that are here
today."
However, some users complain that Java's overall performance
suffers due to its roots as an object-oriented language.
"I think for where people are going with Java right now, speed is
one of the biggest issues," said Jonathan Newbrough, a Java user
and director of education at Copernicus Computer Services. "But you
have to make that sacrifice with any object-oriented
language."
Sun tried to deal with this problem some time ago by splitting Java
into different editions and making J2ME small enough to fit inside
handheld devices.
"We didn't try to bring the PC down into the phone," Sasaki said.
And so it is here that Sasaki claims more market opportunities
exist over the next year.
Sun is working closely with Intel on refining the microprocessor
technology embedded in handheld devices, he said. And with 3G
wireless just around the corner, Sasaki claims it will open up a
wave of new opportunities for developers to write applications
offering users integrated voice and data services over the
Web.
Existing technologies, such as the Motorola/Nextel mobile phone now
available in North America, already offers wireless Internet access
and the ability to download and run graphic-rich Java
applications.
And continued developments in handheld microprocessor technology,
Sasaki believes, accelerate product development.
Intel is perhaps the most notable developer, having recently
unveiled its road map for the XScale chip, the successor to Intel's
StrongARM processors. XScale chips are due for release in 2002 with
samples available by late 2001. Intel sources said XScale use 0.13
micron technology, using just 10 milliwatts, ideal for preserving
battery life. Current 133MHz StrongARM chips consume 250 milliwatts
while 206MHz StrongARM chips eat up 400 milliwatts.
Meanwhile, company executives at the show said Intel is focused on
helping users deploy Java-based wireless applications on its
various hardware platforms via its Intel Developer Services unit.