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 to demonstrate
Java-enabled wireless devices running Java-based applications, the
company has also 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 being considered by the Java committee, comprised of about
400 companies. The request should be approved within the
year.
According to Glen Martin, Sun's senior product manager of J2EE
specifications, the goal is to push applications or content
residing on a server effortlessly to any wireless device,
regardless of platform.
As a result, Java offers the ability integrate technologies from
the server to the wireless device, Martin said. In addition, Web
services promises developers free, open standards in that
environment. "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, cell 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 in this arena 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 cell phone now
available in North America, already offer 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 by 2002 with
samples available by late 2001. Intel sources said XScale chips 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.