Motorola Attempts to Unify Mobile Java Development Platform

Telecom News Editorials Reports Glossary

Motorola Attempts to Unify Mobile Java Development Platform

5:30 am on May 16, 2006 | Category: Mobile Devices, Cell Phones, Software

Motorola has released much its mobile Java test framework into the public domain, as part of an effort to unify the platform used by developers to make mobile Java applications.

Although most cellular phones support simple Java applications, the framework for developing such software varies significantly among developers and handset makers. Motorola is now hoping to correct this discrepency by encouraging unification of the mobile Java platform into a single framework. The company’s is making its own test platform available to developers, carriers, and other handset makers via the Motorola website.

“Delivering differentiated, compelling end-user experiences is critical to everyone in the mobile industry and Java remains a trusted technology ally,” said Motorola’s senior director of Mobile Devices, Mark VandenBrink in a statement. “Motorola believes that by eliminating some of the fragmentation hurdles Java currently faces we can help evolve the wireless Java ecosystem and make Java even more accessible, more compatible and easier to use.”

Motorola has long been a supporter of freely available software platforms, but this latest initiative isn’t open source in the purest sense, since it forces developers and other cell phone companies to work within Motorola’s pre-developed framework.