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The Java-enabled wireless world

Java will dominate the market for small, smart devices

By John Rommel, JavaWorld.com, 03/01/00

Page 2 of 2

Wireless Application Protocol

As wireless-programming technology becomes more mature, you'll be using more of the Wireless Application Protocol (WAP). WAP is the gateway for wireless devices designed to communicate on the Internet. It is the international standard that allows Internet applications to run on a wireless network. In the near future, WAP will be used to complement Java and create smart wireless devices.

Developers will access the Internet and future telephony wireless applications using WAP's Wireless Markup Language Script (a static language similar to HTML), which lacks the dynamic language features of Java. WAP can embed a Java applet; it is an excellent, scalable tool for everything from small-screen text displays to top-of-the-line smart phones.

Java in wireless devices

The market for small, smart wireless devices that provide word processing, email, and static browsers is enormous. Market dynamics will drive the Java wireless phenomenon to levels never before imagined -- with these small devices surpassing desktops in popularity. Java will claim dominance in smart portable phones, a technology that has dropped in cost to several hundred dollars. Java provides secure, mobile code applications to enabled consumer devices and small wireless devices. It also takes advantage of the Internet's established Java API development and community mindshare.

Using C, you wouldn't be able to deploy Java's benefits, which include ease of use, cross-platform architecture, language simplification, and access to the large pool of Java talent in the Internet community.

Companies worldwide are aggressively taking advantage of the new Java technology. Application and content providers will use Java to distribute software to portable phones and to download applets such as interactive games and client-agent software to managed servers. NTT Docomo is planning the Japanese release of a Java handheld delivery platform later this year. Motorola is also working on Java-enabled PageWriter, a two-way pager with keyboard and graphics that lets you communicate with the Web. Prosyst, a German company, is developing an application that will integrate an embedded server with a wireless device so you can turn on your air conditioner and control other household functions through a set-top box. Other companies working on Java wireless devices include 3Com, Bull, Fujitsu, Matsushita, NEC, Nokia, and Siemens. The Java wireless market is in the embryonic stage, but it's developing quickly.

About the author

In 1997, John Rommel founded CityJava, a forum catering to Internet technologists, independent software vendors, and enterprise customers. Prior to that, he spent 15 years as a technical consultant and developer at companies like EDS and Fireman's Fund and then branched into technical contract consulting and cofounded Future Presence. His most recent initiative is BayStart, a forum for startups to connect with venture capital and to network with other entrepreneurs and large corporations.

Conclusion

Some companies will tell you they have seen the last stage of Internet development. They will tell you there is no room for Java, no space for anything beyond their most recent browser upgrade. Ask them, in return, how they expect to make money when today's operating systems give way to virtual machines of smaller kilobytes. And ask what they will do when users no longer have to select the most aggressively marketed browser for their wireless needs, but rather the most dynamic and efficient one. As more access to information from anywhere becomes the standard, Java will be there to deliver it.

 

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