Sun Microsystems, the leading advocate of Java technology, is adding fuel to Java mobile services. It has announced the availability of the Sun Content Delivery Server, the Java Device Test Suite, and the Java Mobility Advantage Program to provide mobile operators with tools for consumer and enterprise mobile content.

Mobile is a big deal for Sun: there are some 120 million Java-enabled mobile devices across 200 models worldwide

With these announcements it seeks to enhance its revenue stream from licensing of Java-based products and cash in on the rapidly increasing numbers of mobile devices. As per the data from the Yankee Group, there are an estimated 120 million Java-enabled mobile devices across 200 plus models deployed worldwide today. This number is increasing rapidly and new mobile applications are being released with increasing frequency. 

The $100 Desktop System—Sun Java Desktop and Star Office 7—targets chief rival Microsoft, offering the “PC industry’s first alternative in 15 years”

Robert Youngjohns EVP Sun

The present announcements offer mobile operators software for developing and offering content to users of mobile devices.

The Content Delivery Server is a high performance server that would enable operators to manage the complexity of securely delivering mobile applications over the air to subscribers. It allows operators to manage, market, deliver, and bill for the polyphonic ring tones, pictures, audio, video and multimedia applications. It also assists the content submission and verification process from developers, content aggregators or third-party content creators.

The Java Test Suite is a system designed to verify, validate and evaluate Java-based devices. The Java Mobility Advantage program consists of elements like the mobility program, which assists operators in attracting developers to the Java platform; the content testing program that offers certification for Java applications and co-marketing opportunities with Java.

The multiple applications offering help mobile operators increase the average revenue-per-user and in turn provide royalty streams to Sun if its software suites have been used. And, gaming of course remains the largest business. As per estimates from data of Electronic Arts—a leading gaming company—17.6 million visitors spend seventy minutes a day playing games.

Game downloads on mobile phones are booming—especially in Southeast Asia—and are priced at up to $2.5 per download.

This quantum of numbers makes the mobile operators richer and Sun rich.

Along with the push on mobiles, Sun is also stalking Windows-based computer systems. The last few months have seen announcements across the world of the Sun Java Enterprise System and the Sun Java Desktop System. The former is an integrated set of software for portals, communications, security, and Web application services. Priced aggressively at a flat $100 per user, it is designed to aid the hardware sales of Sun systems which in the post dot-com era have crashed to low figures. However, the system is hardware-independent and will run on all platforms that support the Java technology. 

The Desktop System—apart from providing a new revenue stream for Sun—is designed to take pot shots at chief rival Microsoft by offering what the company calls “PC industry’s first rival in 15 years.” Robert Youngjohns, executive V-P, global sales operations, Sun Microsystems, describes it as “the Trojan Horse—a tactical move we have made to make people think differently.” 

Sun’s Java bet is clearly the key initiative in the company’s efforts to claw its way back from the dismal financial performance in the last ten quarters. With upwards of $5 billion in reserves, the company has held its breath for a long time and survived.

These initiatives could help it draw breath once again.

Shyam Malhotra in Singapore. The author was hosted by Sun Microsystems