| What is it? | | | | widely understood amongst programmers and |
| Java, or J2ME is a format for applications for mobile | | | | developers. Although it is more complex to develop |
| and PDAs. It provides software that can been added | | | | than simple Flash-based applications, it's broad |
| to mobile phones. It has been most widely used for | | | | compatibility on mobile handsets makes it an |
| mobile games, but many other applications such as | | | | attractive development proposition. As well as the |
| maps, instant messengers, ip-based messaging, gps | | | | phone-based functions J2ME can also be used to |
| systems or phone book back-up systems have been | | | | connect through the internet, bluetooth or infrared. |
| developed. | | | | On the downside, as with other mobile content, the |
| As J2ME is widely available on mobile handsets, it | | | | many different handsets on the market results in the |
| offers the broadest compatibility in a highly | | | | need to develop many versions of each application. |
| fragmented market. | | | | Whilst video and audio may be transcoded for |
| As advertising funded content increases, there will be | | | | handset optimization, J2ME applications will usually |
| greater demand to include this into Java applications. | | | | need to be developed specifically for different ranges |
| At the moment, most of these applications are | | | | of phones. |
| games, however, recent studies have shown that | | | | A few examples |
| this tends to focus on the 14-24 age range. In the | | | | There are many examples where J2ME has been |
| older age demographic, PDA functions, such as | | | | used, from games to PDA style applications. Google, |
| diaries, maps or email are of the greatest interest. | | | | which is heavily involved with mobile apps provides its |
| However, outside of the games market, there is a | | | | gmail and maps service through Java applications. |
| reluctance by many users outside of the early | | | | In France, Orange released a series of ad -funded |
| adopters to install applications on their mobile phones. | | | | games in 2007, sponsored by brands such as |
| How does it work? | | | | Coca-Cola and Saab. |
| The Jave Platform, Micro Edition (J2ME) was | | | | Elsewhere, brands such as Nokia, McDonald's, Diadora, |
| developed by Sun Microsystems as a language and | | | | Samsung, Adidas and Walt Disney have all sponsored |
| environment to run applications on mobile phones and | | | | J2ME applications. |
| PDAs. It's programming language is Java, which is | | | | |