Java community to nail mobile phone spec

Java community members are taking another stab at Java for small devices, with plans for a specification designed specifically for ISVs targeting cell phones.

Java Community Process (JCP) members are pushing Java Specification Request (JSR) 185, which rounds up a number of existing Java APIs and technologies in an architecture designed only for cell phones. A test kit is also planned to ensure compatibility of vendors' implementations.

Developers targeting handsets can currently choose from a number of JCP-ratified technologies to build applications based on the Java 2 Micro Edition (J2ME) specification

J2ME, though, has been modified over recent years to include optional enhancements such as Mobile Device Information Profile (MIDP), Connected Limited Device Configuration (CLDC) and Connected Device Configuration (CDC) among other extensions.

Any combination of these technologies can be used on a number of small footprint devices and equipment with limited memory or power sources from cell phones to personal digital assistants (PDAs) and set-top-boxes.

However, JCP members believe ISVs who specifically target cell phones would be better served by a specification that acts as a reference for their needs and that excludes PDAs and set-top-boxes, for example. JSR 185 is designed to outline a core set of J2ME APIs for an application that is capable of running across any handset manufacturers' device.

JSR 185 is expected to include CLDC, CLDC 1.0, CDC, MIDP, MIDP 2.0, Wireless Messaging API and Mobile Media API.

Those backing JSR 185 include JCP members Motorola Corp, Nokia Corp, Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB and NTT DoCoMo Inc with Sun Microsystems Inc.

© ComputerWire