Sun launches mobile Java portal

Stuart Corner
Sunday, 26 March 2006 14:05

Your IT - Home IT

Sun Microsystems, the creator and leading advocate of Java technology, has launched a website offering mobile Java technology-based applications for purchase and download.

www.mobile.java.com also contains information for consumers about Java technology and the Java brand. Subscribers on more than 250 wireless carriers worldwide can access the new site via a web browser on any Java-powered mobile device (cellphone, PDA, etc).

At launch mobile.java.com will contain a range of Java-powered mobile applications including: action game Cannon Fodder; racing game Lotus Challenge; timed puzzle game Sudoku Solver; a winter wonderland-themed game called Snow Doku; and NetChess that enables interactive play with live chess masters around the world.

Developers of Java-powered games and other consumer content who wish to promote and sell their applications to a global audience are encouraged to submit their requests via www.java.com/en/dukeszone/featuresubmission.jsp.

Java developers can sell and deliver their games, ringtones, videos and other applications directly to mobile phone users worldwide on any network via mobile.java.com and use Bango, the mobile content enabler, to bill consumers anywhere in the world for their content.

According to Sun, "Bango's 'browse and buy" technology [allows] developers retain total flexibility and control over product offerings and pricing. This 'direct-to-consumer' approach operates in conjunction with mobile carriers' content portals and offers consumers a range of ways to pay depending on the network users are on."

The site is a companion site to Sun's www.java.com, the consumer entertainment site for Java-powered games, productivity tools etc. and the global home to "Get Java Free" for the desktop.