Korea-based LG TeleCom Co. Ltd. moved one step closer to Java-enabled handsets last week, announcing a collaboration with AppStream Inc. to use AppStream’s Java software technology solution in its next generation of ez-i CDMA handsets.
AppStream’s agreement with LG TeleCom will increase the adoption rate of Java technology on wireless devices, the company said.
“Limited memory and the wireless network connection for wireless devices have presented significant challenges to providing mobile consumers with rich, interactive Java applications on their handsets,” said Curtis Sasaki, director of consumer technologies for Sun Software Systems Group. “LG devices supporting Java technology will increase the rate of adoption of … Java technology-based services, as well as the development of innovative and more powerful applications and services for use on wireless devices.”
AppStream’s technology consists of both hardware and software-the software is installed in the service provider’s server and a processor is installed in the handset at the time of manufacture.
Until Sun Microsystems Inc.’s recent creation of the Java 2 Micro Edition platform, Java applications were not possible on the actual wireless device. WAP requires the device to communicate with the server for every function it performs. With J2ME however, wireless devices can perform real-time banking, gaming, shopping, stock trading and other similar functions.
AppStream saw an opportunity to enhance the ability of mobile devices to process Java by eliminating slow download speeds as well as minimizing the use of memory.
“Putting more memory on the device reduces the battery life, and that’s one of a handset’s key selling points,” said Gerald Wluka, vice president of business development for AppStream.
AppStream said its technology works by automatically segmenting Java applications into “streamlets.” Building on the concept of audio/video streaming, where users begin viewing a video before the entire file has been downloaded, AppStream’s solution allows users to begin using an application before it has entirely downloaded, the company said.
By chopping the application into streamlets, a service provider can run larger applications on a smaller footprint. The streaming engine also learns the most efficient way to segment the information into streamlets, said Wluka.
“Instead of having to wait 20 seconds to boot up an application, they (users) will be able to do it a lot quicker … four, five, six seconds,” Wluka said. “You’ll see Java applications that can boot up to 70 times faster.”
AppStream’s predictive algorithm analyzes user behavior to optimize the order in which streamlets are delivered to the user, AppStream said. The algorithm database is constantly updated with the most recent statistics.
Wluka said the proof of concept is scheduled to conclude in late October or early November, but the release of the enhanced handsets is up to LG TeleCom and has yet to be determined.
AppStream, founded last year by Uri Raz, is based out of Palo Alto, Calif., and has research and development facilities located in Tel Aviv, Israel.
