The Rise of Java in Mobile Handsets: Opening Up a New Era of Interactivity

Strategic Insights -

Mobile handsets are increasingly becoming more intelligent and powerful, paving the way for users to download interactive applications from the cellular network to their devices. Sun Microsystems is working with leading makers of handsets to develop software that will enable this capability, based on a standard that will open the applications business to programmers worldwide. This will transform the mobile phone into a computer, allowing users to download and save games, display stock prices and graphs, and access interactive road maps, all without the need for a network connection.

Key Takeaways:

  • Sun Microsystems is working with leading makers of handsets to develop software that will enable users to download interactive applications from the cellular network to their devices.
  • The new software will be based on a standard that will open the applications business to programmers worldwide, transforming the mobile phone into a computer.
  • Handset makers are planning to design handsets that isolate applications from the phone processor, allowing for the development of third-party software.
  • Companies working with Sun account for about 80% of handsets made worldwide, indicating the broad support Java has received.
  • Java developers will be able to create mobile applications, while Microsoft's Stinger and PocketPC may face a challenge with Java securing industry-wide support.
  • Java can help the phone to overcome limitations of patchy network coverage and dropped connections, and it can be used with WAP to provide security for online financial institutions.
  • According to IDC Japan, growth in the mobile market depends on the creation of "killer applications," which have been lacking so far.
  • Sun Microsystems has partnered with Nokia, Motorola, Ericsson, Matsushita, and Palm to develop Java-enabled handsets.

Statistics:

  • 2.5m Java developers worldwide will be able to create mobile applications (Gerald Maguire)
  • 80% of handsets made worldwide are supported by SUN Microsystems' Java platform (Pekka Isosomppi, Nokia)
  • Java applications are fully functional once downloaded to the handset and can work without a network connection
  • Java supports high-grade, 128-bit encryption, whereas WAP does not
  • Timeframe for deployment of 3G mobile networks:

+ Japan: next year

+ Europe: 2002

  • Handsets that will be the first to launch Java-enabled handsets: LG Telecom (South Korea) and NTT DoCoMo (Japan)

Sources:

  • "Sun Microsystems is working with the leading makers of handsets to develop software that will let users download interactive applications from the cellular network to their mobile phones." [i]Boston Globe[/i] (no date mentioned)
  • Sun Microsystems has partnered with Nokia, Motorola, Ericsson, Matsushita, and Palm to develop Java-enabled handsets. [i]Boston Globe[/i] (no date mentioned)
  • "Companies working with Sun account for about 80 per cent of the handsets made worldwide - a measure of the broad support Java has received." [i]Boston Globe[/i] (no date mentioned)
  • "The way to open our closed-phone platform to third-party applications is to support Java. The point of the exercise is to give access to third-party developers," says Pekka Isosomppi, communications manager at Nokia mobile phones. [i]Boston Globe[/i] (no date mentioned)