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Just a week after declaring its independence, the Unified Testing Initiative (UTI), a global not-for-profit mobile application testing body and home to the “Java Verified” program, has announced new Java Verified testing services for simple Java Platform, Micro Edition (Java ME) applications.
On June 15, UTI announced that the organization had become an independent body. Then on June 21, UTI officials launched support for “Simple App” testing services. UTI said Java ME is the most broadly deployed mobile run-time-it is used by nine of the top 10 handset manufacturers and powers nearly 3 billion phones in more than 150 countries worldwide. The new Simple App testing criteria dramatically reduces the amount of time and money it takes to test many Java ME applications, making it easier for developers to meet application store and industry requirements for Java Verified certification.
“We recognize that there are many applications that do not need to be tested against the full range of Java Verified criteria,” said Martin Wrigley, chair of Java Verified and director of developer services at Orange, in a statement. “Many of the apps selling today within App Stores don’t use network connectivity, or access consumers’ information inside the device. So, for applications that don’t ask for such privileged access, we’ve cut down the set of Java Verified tests that need to be run, and therefore the costs.”
The Java Verified organization has worked with all of its test houses to update the testing criteria for simple app testing, allowing developers to get these applications tested to the Java Verified standard, and signed with the Java Verified certificate, at a cost that typically averages 75 euros for each application. Developers wishing to obtain Java Verified accreditation will work with their preferred test house to establish the appropriate level of testing for their application. Java ME developers interested in learning more about Simple App testing from Java Verified are encouraged to visit www.javaverified.com.
The primary goal of Java Verified is to provide developers with testing and resources for delivering more high-quality Java ME applications to more devices faster.
Until the June 15 announcement, Oracle, the steward of Java, and the UTI management board-which consists of representatives from AT&T, LG, Motorola, Nokia, Oracle, Orange, Samsung, Sony Ericsson and Vodafone-had been collaborating for the past year to ensure that the new self-governing and self-funded organization would meet the evolving quality assurance requirements of mobile application developers worldwide.
With the move to independence, UTI appointed an executive director who will be responsible for all UTI program management, with financial and legal support provided by the standards organization, IEEE-ISTO.
UTI appointed Ruth Cattell as the organization’s first executive director. Based in the United Kingdom and with 10 years of telecom marketing and program management experience, Cattell has worked with mobile application developers worldwide, managing a variety of technical and marketing support programs. Cattell is responsible for UTI program management as the organization moves to enhance the Java Verified program and readies a variety of new quality assurance programs for mobile application developers.
“The launch of UTI as an independent organization represents a significant step forward in the evolution of Java Verified,” Cattell said in a statement. “As UTI continues to grow, developers around the world will regularly have access to new industry-leading resources for advancing mobile applications that have met a wide range of quality assurance requirements.”
“The Java Verified program has always been the global standard for ensuring mobile application quality based on stringent application testing and signing procedures,” Wrigley said. “Now, as Java Verified moves -full speed ahead’ within an independent organization, we salute Oracle and the UTI management board for providing the industry with new opportunities for advancing more high quality mobile applications.”
As an independent organization, UTI has increased flexibility for more easily adding new capabilities and functionality to the Java Verified program. This new structure also lays the foundation for UTI to quickly develop, implement and manage new quality assurance programs for mobile application developers, carriers and handset manufactures working across the mobile ecosystem.
“Java technology powers 85 percent of all mobile phones, including almost a billion new devices shipped in the last year,” said Hasan Rizvi, senior vice president of Oracle Fusion Middleware and Java. “Empowering the UTI, as an independent organization, to run the Java Verified program is a very important step in the continued growth and success of the Java open mobile ecosystem. Oracle is committed to making Java an even more attractive investment for developers, who have already built more than 100,000 mobile Java applications, for the over 400 operators who have deployed Java ME and for the growing number of handset manufacturers who rely on Java technology. We look forward to collaborating with the members of UTI to ensure that the Java Verified program provides developers with even more of the resources they need to rapidly deliver new, high-quality business and consumer applications into the global marketplace.”
In addition to the new executive director, UTI announced the launch of an updated Java Verified Website and new features for Java ME developers. These enhancements are designed to make it easier for Java ME developers to test mobile applications in the Java Verified program. The new site allows developers to find relevant information more quickly and includes educational and “how to” videos featuring Java Verified experts discussing a wide range of topics.
Moreover, the enhancements include an updated version of the Testing and Signing Portal featuring an improved user interface. Also available is an automated version of the Java Verified device matrix, which includes all of the handsets and devices Java Verified supports. The automated device matrix makes it faster for manufacturers to add new devices and handsets to the matrix, and easier for developers to locate the devices they should test their applications against. The device calculator allows developers to price testing before they begin the application testing process.