Header Sep
print this page
Latest News
My Rating Score
Login to rate page
Back

March 28, 2007
Z750: first Java Platform 8 (JP-8) phone supporting next-generation Mobile Services Architecture

[Back]

 

On March 26, 2007, Sony Ericsson announced its first mobile phone to support Mobile Services Architecture (MSA), the next-generation Java umbrella standard (JSR 248). The Z750 clamshell phone is the first phone based on Sony Ericsson's new Java Platform 8 (JP-8), supporting a range of new Java programming features including instant messaging/chat and presence based functionality, handling banking, payment transactions, user identification and authentication through secure encryption technology, mapping and other location-aware applications.

The Z750 is also Sony Ericsson's first phone supporting High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), delivering data at speeds comparable to or better than fixed-line broadband access systems. End-users will have exceptional quality for video streaming, 3D gaming and rapid access to Web browsing and other online services. The Z750 phone also has a 2 Megapixel camera and integrated blogging features. The Z750 will be available in selected markets during Q3 2007. More information and specifications here>>

Mobile Services Architecture (MSA)

The new MSA umbrella standard (JSR 248) aims to reduce fragmentation for the Java community in two ways:

  1. MSA defines a clear set of component JSRs that must be supported (mandatory JSRs) on next-generation mobile phones.
  2. MSA gives less room for interpretation in the implementation of the JSRs by clarifying the conditions for interaction between them and for optional JSRs.

The new mandatory APIs supported through MSA include 3D graphics, personal information management, Bluetooth, Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG), web services, location services and payment services for Java ME (Micro Edition). Sony Ericsson has supported several of these APIs in its earlier Java Platform versions but with MSA there is finally industry alignment and a clear set of expectations on the implementation of these JSRs. With MSA, the mass-market mobile phone becomes an increasingly capable platform for enterprise development and it will be possible to ensure secure data storage and communication and create new innovative applications, for example SVG maps.

 

  Z750 HSDPA phone.


"With the introduction of MSA, the next-generation Java standard, in our portfolio we hope to continue our proud tradition of delivering consistency, quality and market-leading performance across our range of Java technology enabled phones: for the benefit of our operator customers, third party Java developers and consumers alike," said Rikko Sakaguchi, SVP and Head of Portfolio & Platform Planning at Sony Ericsson.

MSA reduces variations in the platform environment and creates a predictable environment for application developers, reducing porting issues when creating new applications and games for mass-market feature-rich phones.

New for JP-8 are the following APIs:
MSA umbrella standard JSR 248 includes:

  • Security & Trust Services API (JSR177)
  • Location API (JSR 179)
  • SIP API for Java ME (JSR 180)
  • Mobile 3D Graphics API (JSR 184) updated to version 1.1 from previous Java Platform versions (more information below)
  • Content Handler API (JSR 211)
  • Scalable 2D Vector Graphics API for Java ME (JSR 226)
  • Payment API (JSR 229)
  • Mobile Internationalization API (JSR 238)

Sony Ericsson additions not mandated in MSA:

  • Java Binding for the OpenGL ES API (JSR239)

A full listing of all JSRs supported by JP-8 can be found here>>

Differences between JSR 184 and JSR 184 1.1
Java Platform 8 supports the updated version of the Mobile 3D Graphics API and below is an overview of the differences found in the JSR 184 1.1 maintenance release:

New features:

  • The Loader now supports all PNG color types and bit depths
  • The Node alpha factor now affects Sprite3D as well
  • Several get methods added to allow all properties to be queried
  • OVERWRITE hint flag added to Graphics3D.bindTarget

Removed or relaxed exceptions:

  • Object3D.removeAnimationTrack no longer throws NullPointerException
  • Graphics3D.releaseTarget no longer throws IllegalStateException
  • Removed several deferred exception situations in VertexBuffer
  • Largest possible target surface and viewport need no longer be square
  • Group.addChild no longer throws an exception if the Node is already a child of the Group

New or tightened exceptions:

  • Target surfaces larger than maximum viewport are no longer allowed in Graphics3D

Resolved interoperability issues:

  • Default projection matrix is now required to be identity, with projection type GENERIC
  • The Loader must now treat all file names as case sensitive
  • Mutable MIDP Images are treated as RGB, immutable Images as RGBA
  • Emphasized that flipping the sign of a quaternion when interpolating is not allowed
  • Downscaling of sprite and background images is now well specified
  • Clarified the role of the crop rectangle with scaled sprites


More information:

 

Back
My Rating Score
Login to rate page

Copyright © 2001 - 2009 Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB. All Rights Reserved.