Eric Klein, Sun’s Vice President of Java Marketing, announced last week plans to implement an iPhone version of the Java platform. Following Sun’s announcement of the iPhone SDK, and taking advantage of the new open iPhone platform, Sun plans to implement a port of the Java Micro Edition (JME) for the iPhone. This version will use as many native functionality as possible, according to Mr. Klein announcement. This way, some of the already available JME games will be available in Apple’s little wonder.
Apple will have something to say about this. Such Java port could only be viable through iTunes store deployment, at no cost. I don’t see customers paying for a new platform to run games and applications on top of, mainly because games and applications will be also charged. Seriously, the scenario is not the best for Sun. Java games work because JME is included in most mobile phones by default. Most people obtain Java games through SMS premium downloading. Personally, I don’t see those people installing the Java Platform by themselves in their mobile phones.
Maybe this announcement could lead to an agreement between Apple and Sun. It will depend on Apple, but I’m not sure that Apple wants another platform for the iPhone, now the official SDK has been launched.
Via InfoWorld
