Mobile Java ringing in the changes

Allies of Sun Microsystems have completed a second version of Java software for mobile phones that they hope will fill some of the gaps left by the first, but many expect challenges moving to the new technology.

Announced earlier this month, the new version of Java holds the promise of simpler mobilr phone programming, richer games, more money for service providers and software that connects to internet services.

But some experts predict that memory requirements and cost will likely hamper adoption of the software, known as Mobile Information Device Platform (MIDP) 2.0.

Gadget designers say the newer Java will require about 100K more memory than the previous version, a sizable jump for cell phones. That's enough to prevent some current handsets from being upgraded and to deter manufacturers from including MIDP 2.0 on some models, according to some experts.

"My main issue is trying to squeeze it (the new MIDP) into last year's shoebox," said David Yach, Research In Motion software vice president.

The cell phone market has been a bright spot for Java, a Sun-inspired initiative aimed at fostering alternatives to Microsoft by creating interoperable software standards for the PC and beyond. The software was designed to let a single program run on any device of a certain class, regardless of underlying details such as its operating system or processor.

Sun hasn't had much success using Java to undermine Microsoft's desktop dominance, but it has caught on in areas where Microsoft is comparatively weak. Java is widely used on servers and now has shipped on millions of mobile phones.

Java got its head start on mobiles with the release of MIDP 1.0 nearly three years ago, spreading to dozens of devices.

The Zelos Group predicts Java will run on 450 million handsets by 2007, or three-quarters of those that ship that year. And competing software such as a specialised version of Microsoft Windows and Qualcomm's BREW (Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless) so far aren't contenders.

"Java has tremendous momentum. The competition is a little weak," said Chris Lanfear, an analyst with Venture Development. BREW is technologically sound but not often used, while "Microsoft right now is on the outside looking in."

Motorola leads the group developing MIDP. Among the dozens of partners in the group are Sun, mobile phone manufacturers, phone software companies and cell phone service providers.

A Sun representative said that the company expects rapid adoption of MIDP 2.0 by all of the major cell phone makers, including Nokia, Motorola, Siemens, Sony Ericsson and Samsung.

"We expect the same 30 to 50 handset manufacturers to be releasing MIDP 2 handsets over the next six to nine months," said Nicolis Lorain, senior manager of Java 2 Micro Edition (J2ME) products for Sun. "We expect the first commercially available devices supporting MIDP 2 to be available in the summer of 2003."

Stephen Shankland writes for News.com. News.com's Ben Charny contributed to this report