14 DAY TRIAL // Sun has just revealed a new open mobile platform built with open-source Linux and Java technologies. JavaFX Mobile is meant to enhance the rapid development of interactive applications for mobile phones.
Sun's new operating platform follows the pattern set by Google, which they consider to be the best search engine available. This company has built their applications on Java technology too and now is seeing great profit rates from people who are using internet from their handsets.
"At JavaOne we introduced Java FX, a Java scripting language that allows individuals who are content developers to develop rich scripting languages. What it means is that companies like YouTube and Flickr now can develop powerful front-end clients. This is the ability to create and drive innovation on small devices, cell phones, PDAs and the like", said Reginald Hutcherson, head of technology evangelism for Sun's Developer Network.
JavaFX Mobile uses existing Linux technologies only for low-level services and basic libraries. The rest is made up of Java solutions. Sun has made it clear that an efficient integration of JavaFX content authoring and application development technologies like JavaFX Script will make easier the process of creating scalable applications that can easily be deployed as desktop, web and mobile applications too.
Although JavaFX Mobile sounds like an excellent solution, there are also several drawbacks which question its chance at being successful. Mobile and embedded device developers using Linux might leave JavaFX Mobile platform aside in exchange for flexible, homegrown technologies. Sun's technology will be available under an open-source license, while the commercial version that Sun will provide to licensees will be distributed as a binary.
Sun has also been working on another project aside from JavaFX Mobile. Curriki is an open source education curriculum meant to help schools from rural areas to reach the same level of opportunities as those in cities.