Sun to Bring Java to iPhone — Sort Of
by Eric March on March 9, 2008 at 10:04 am
Now that they’ve had a chance to get their hands into the SDK, Sun Microsystems have announced that they plan to bring Java to the iPhone. Wait — make that Java Micro Edition. JME is a subset of Java Virtual Machine aimed at limited resource mobile devices — like most non-smartphones. You may be familiar with rather sad JME ports of Need for Speed ProStreet, The Simpsons: Minutes to Meldown, Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, and others. With many of these desktop-to-JME conversions, you’re probably also familiar with the fact that the micro-editions bear little resemblance to their desktop counterparts.
With a machine as capable as the iPhone and iPod Touch, one has to wonder why they’re bringing their stripped-down, far less capable version of Java instead of the full-blown JavaVM. Sure, the real Java is a bit of a pig on resources, but not quite in the same way as Flash, and when it comes to the 3D Java-based games, I am sure it could get a big assist by the nice PowerVR MBX chip. Nevertheless, this is the direction Sun has decided to go in, so this is what we get. To be fair, there are some half-decent JME games available, but none of them come close to showing off the full capabilities of the iPhone and Touch. Still, if you’re hurtin’ to play The Sims Bowling, expect to be able to do so in late June.
(Source: MacRumors)
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Posted in Application Related, In The Works, SDK
March 9th, 2008 at 11:32 am
Hey, this is great news. Albeit it isn’t JavaVM, it’s better than nothing at all, although it was to be expected, of course.
Now, to get a Flash…. Even a stripped down version would be grand.
March 9th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Yes, it is better than nothing, but it does nothing for web browsing, where you need a full Java plugin. The only thing JME is good for is playing JME-based games and apps, so the reality is that it really isn’t nearly as useful as one might thing at first blush. Give me a Java plugin for Safari at the very least and I might be happier.
As for Flash — I doubt you’d find a stripped-down version acceptable. Flash Lite would be absolutely useless for browsing the web with. Very few games and animations would be supported — certainly nothing written for anything higher than Flash 5 — and you likely won’t be able to view Flash-based web interfaces, either. In short, Flash Lite is the next best thing to pointless.
March 9th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Oh, my mistake. Looks like someone has to do their research.
Then nevermind Flash Lite… Bring us flash Medium. 
As for Java… I really don’t understand why they don’t slap in a JavaVM option in the Safari Mobile options menu – and allow us to turn it on and off at will. This way, we can chose to surf the web at a bit of a slower pace, or not.
In fact, now that I think of it – why don’t they do that with full Flash support as well. Think Apple? Think different? Maybe take a minute to Think, _period_.
hehe.