Sun Microsystems and specialised processor maker ARM have announced a long-term collaboration to integrate and distribute Java solutions optimised for mobile devices. It is anticipated that the integration of software and hardware will enhance the end-user mobile experience by boosting the computing power behind mobile Java applications.
ARM manufacturers low-power consumption processors such as the popular StrongARM device for the mobile computing market.
Sun and ARM will also streamline access to the integrated product by establishing a single distribution source through Sun, reducing time-to-market for handset manufacturers and network operators. The commercial availability of the integrated product will be subject to the separate licensing terms of Sun and ARM respectively.
Explains Sean O'Hare, Java systems engineer at Sun Microsystems SA: "ARM and Sun will jointly optimise and integrate software for the ARM Jazelle hardware using Sun's Connected Limited Device Configuration HotSpot Implementation (CLDC HI).
"The CLDC HI is a Java Virtual Machine optimised for resource-constrained mobile devices. The integrated product is expected to increase application execution speed and reduce application startup time by up to 50% compared to the current version of CLDC HI; other enhancements will enable increased efficiency in power and memory consumption," he adds.
O'Hare notes that Java is used ubiquitously on mobile handsets, and that improved application performance will deliver a better mobile experience for consumers. The enhancements will also reduce costs for handset manufacturers and network operators, who will not only benefit from a better Java implementation that is supported by both Sun and ARM, but will also gain from significantly increased efficiency and reduced cost and complexity in integrating and deploying Java technology-enabled mobile handsets," he says.
Jazelle hardware acceleration technology is an integral part of the ARM portfolio of application processor designs. The agreement with Sun continues the rapid expansion in support for Jazelle hardware, and will contribute to bringing significant performance enhancements to the large number of Sun CLDC-HI licensees.
Sun plans to ship CLDC HI integrated with Jazelle technology-enabling software in Q4 of 2004.
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