Wireless Java Takes Center Stage At JavaOne Opening Keynote

Sun

News Monday morning came from both Sun and Nokia, with plans to help promote Java development beyond the server to myriad wireless devices via the Java 2, Micro Edition (J2ME) standard for creating Java-based mobile apps.

During a keynote by Rich Green, vice president and general manager of Java and XML software, Sun unveiled a new Java Specification Request (JSR), JSR 172, designed to marry wireless Java and Web services to encourage the development of Web services that can connect from back-end systems to wireless devices. JSRs are proposed to the Java Community Process, the panel of companies that creates and approves Java specs.

Sun, Santa Clara, Calif., also unveiled a high-performance Java virtual machine with a small footprint for mobile devices, code-named Project Monty, Green said.

During an appearance by Jouko Hayrynen, vice president of mobile software for Nokia, the wireless handset provider unveiled the Nokia Tradepoint Broker Service, designed to help developers distribute their Java-based wireless applications to carriers, end users and wireless network operators. The service provides a site where developers can post and sell J2ME-based wireless applications they have created, said Hayrynen.

In addition, Sun made available Java for XP, a Java virtual machine that can run on Windows XP. Developers can download the JVM here. Microsoft dropped Java support for its newest Windows operating system when the product was released in October. Subsequently, Sun sued Microsoft several weeks ago because of the software giant's actions, and the suit is pending.

To ensure compatibility of Java 2, Enterprise Edition (J2EE) applications with J2EE platforms built by different vendors, Sun also launched an Application Verification Kit on its Web site so developers can test J2EE apps to ensure portability between various J2EE platforms, said Green. Currently, 16 J2EE platform vendors support the kit, which is available for free download here.

Overall, the mood was subdued at JavaOne Monday. Show attendees, who usually exude an air of religious fervor, seemed quieter than usual as they filed in to Moscone Center for the keynote talks.

Even Sun executives including Chief Researcher John Gage, who kicked off the show, and Executive Vice President of Software Pat Sueltz, who joined him onstage before Green's keynote, seemed less interested than usual in lauding Java to its faithful devotees. Instead, they were informal, foregoing lengthy marketing pitches for an emphasis on technology.

Sueltz said there will be "less CEOs" at JavaOne this year, and told developers, "The focus is back on you, the developer."

"What [we've done this year is focus less on marketing and more on the technology and engineering of Java," said Sueltz.

Sueltz also said that there would be more technical keynotes and panels this year, rather than marketing pitches from vendors.

Following Sueltz, Green, in the morning's longest talk, outlined where Sun sees Java technology evolving over the next five years.

Between making several new technology announcements from Sun, Green stressed the momentum and importance of all of the Java specifications for different platforms: J2ME for mobile devices; Java 2, Standard Edition (J2SE) for the desktop; and J2EE for the enterprise, to make Java a viable platform for end-to-end applications and services.

He also discussed how Sun is working to make the Java platform more natively compatible with XML standards for Web services to combat Microsoft's .Net platform.

"There have been attempts in the industry to keep [Java and XML apart," said Green, adding that Sun is doing everything it can, including last fall's release of Java XML Pack of Java APIs for XML, in an effort to make the relationship between Java and XML symbiotic.

Green also stressed the role of various client devices in the future of Java, as the technology moves from the enterprise and beyond desktop computers to connect to devices such as mobile phones and PDAs.

"We take the position of clients very seriously," said Green. "We have moved from the desktop world to consumer devices."

Green added that some day, Java will be used to communicate from enterprises out to such things as thermostats, switches and even clothes using J2ME.

After Green's talk, Java inventor and Sun Vice President and Fellow James Gosling made his usual appearance, to the loudest applause of the morning. Wearing a Java T-shirt and jeans, Gosling, with help from Green and Rob Gingell, Sun CTO and JCP chairman, continued the tradition of propelling T-shirts like the one he was wearing out to the audience via a large slingshot.