Sun Microsystems Inc. Tuesday announced a new program to boost the development of mobile Java services and announced new partnerships to further extend the reach of Java into the mobile space.
At the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Telecom World 2003 in Geneva, Switzerland, Sun announced its new Java Mobility Advantage Program, an end-to-end program to help mobile operators, carriers and handset manufacturers speed up time-to-market for mobile Java applications, said Ingrid Van Den Hoogen, director of strategy for Sun Software.
The program is meant to help mobile operators and application developers build, manage and bill for content and services.
“Its a full end-to-end solution that helps users to develop, test, deploy and market” their solutions, Van Den Hoogen said. And once completed, solutions can then be marketed through Suns java.com portal, she said.
As part of the program, Sun rolled out its Sun Content Delivery Server, which gives mobile operators more control over their solution as it moves to market and hastens time to market for them, Van Den Hoogen said. The new server enables mobile operators to manage, deliver and bill for mobile Java content, she said.
Sun also announced the Java Device Test Suite, which is a set of more than 4,000 tests for testing Java-based devices.
In addition, Sun announced Java Content Testing, through the Java Verified testing program. Under this program, Sun offers tests to certify mobile Java applications.
Meanwhile, Sun announced the Sun Developer Network Mobility Program, where the Unix system vendor aims to help wireless operators build developer programs and recruit developers. Sun provides tools, training and portal offerings to help developers.
The company also will offer co-marketing and co-branding opportunities to developers, Sun officials said.
Meanwhile, Sun announced that the shipment of Java-enabled handsets have passed 120 million in units shipped. Sun officials said more than 200 handsets support Java through more than 70 carriers.
Sun also announced an alliance with China Unicom and Beijing ZRRT Communications Technology Co. Ltd. to promote the use of mobile Java in China under the brand name UniJa. UniJa is the brand name China Unicom will use for its Java-based wireless service spawned by the alliance.