Friday September 05, 2008 Mythbusters: Java ME Myths Get Busted
It's mind-boggling that there are people who still believe the myths and falsehoods around Java ME technology. Myth #1: There are no MIDlet stores.
Fact: Huh? What would you suppose getjar.com is then?
Fact: Huh? What would these instructions be for then?
Fact: Huh? What are all these apps then?
There are human simulator apps, light apps, random quote apps, calculator apps, WiFi apps, traffic apps, bible apps... Bible apps??? OK, whatever floats your boat...
Not just games, OK a few are games So, whenever you hear the lies, falsehoods, and misstatements about Java ME, just point out that the truth is out there... |
Hinkmond
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yes but it is not an integrated solution/experience. that is the main issue. that is the problem that needs to be addressed.
ceo
Posted by C.Enrique Ortiz on September 05, 2008 at 09:34 PM PDT #
Agree with ceo, you're still missing the point, hinkmond.
There should have been a mobile.sun.com midlet store since day one, too bad Sun never saw that, and now they're getting their lunch eaten by Apple and soon Android.
Posted by Jon on September 06, 2008 at 12:11 AM PDT #
Hey hey Hinkmond! You guys are doing a great job. All of your points are correct, particularly the apps vs. games comment. On GetJar, the majority of our stuff is apps. Games are big, but a minority.
Let me jump into this conversation with a couple of additional points that might help.
- It's clear that there are multiple platforms out there, and this is good, because competition inspires everyone to improve. What we don't want is a two platform cartel as exists in the desktop world (Windows vs Leopard).
- So, GetJar now supports not only Java, but also Symbian, Palm, Blackberry, Windows Mobile, and Flash Lite. Android will come out shortly. iPhone, well, who knows... These platforms will inspire SUN to evolve J2ME into something better and better. This is healthy. It would be great if Qualcomm were trying the same thing with BREW, which has a lot of great potential but is locked up now.
- We're working closely with Sun to enhance the mobile Java experience, ecosystem, business model, developer network, developer testing services, application distribution, etc. you name it. Stay tuned...
- SUN has big plans for JavaFX on mobile that will raise the bar for other platforms. Stay tuned....
- Android apps will be coded in Java (though not using *.jar, but *.(something else that I can't remember right now since it's Saturday morning in Seattle...) So, Java has a big role in Android app development.
- That SUN has not started a store is not necessarily a bad thing, because they've instead allowed an ecosystem of distribution to grow up around Java, rather than keeping it all to themselves (like iPhone is doing). At the time that J2ME was introduced, and even today, this is a good strategy. Google is smart enough to know this, and so the Android Market will not be the exclusive place to get Android apps.
- In the future, SUN will probably lose share, but it's not normal for any platform to have as large a share as they do, if you want the market to be competitive. Even in this case, SUN will still be strong. Otherwise, again, you're back to the Windows model and have to wait five years for Vista, which delays the development of the market substantially. Mobile can't wait for this long dev cycle or we'll all go broke.
- Eventually the mobile app distribution model will look much like the current brick and mortar retail model, where you have boutiques, factory outlets, department stores, WalMart, and flea markets too. GetJar, iTunes, Android Market, and others who are surely coming, will all play a role as the pie expands.
Looking forward to continuing the conversation.
Bill Scott
VP Sales & Business Development
GetJar
www.getjar.com
Posted by Bill Scott on September 06, 2008 at 11:59 AM PDT #
Thanks, Bill! What a nice surprise to see your excellent reply.
(To everyone else: See! :-P What Bill said! :-) ...Except the bit about Sun losing share... ;-) )
Good luck with your company's endeavors!
Hinkmond
Posted by Hinkmond Wong on September 06, 2008 at 06:12 PM PDT #
Hinkmond, you post would be more convincing if you hadn't referred to getjar for all three of your points... gives the impression that they are the only one. Of course, there are many others, including the excellent site that I work for ;-) MobileRated.com - free games and applications for mobile phones.
Regards,
Kim
Posted by Kim on September 06, 2008 at 08:11 PM PDT #
My bad. :-( I'll do a separate blog post on http://MobileRated.com which is a very excellent MIDlet store also.
(See that ceo & Jon! What Kim said too!)
Hinkmond
Posted by Hinkmond Wong on September 06, 2008 at 09:39 PM PDT #
Good point, Mobile Rated is a great site!
Posted by Bill Scott on September 07, 2008 at 05:11 AM PDT #
Except that I disagree with Bill...
I understand exactly the rationale on Sun not doing a store so the ecosystem would flourish.
I am not saying that Sun should have created their own store necessarily, but what I am saying is that the integration of application discover and download should have been part of the initial solution.
You guys continue doing business as you like, it really doesn't affect me. Me, I will continue pushing for the integrated experience. And integration comes in different flavors; ah, that is the trick/secret sauce...
C. Enrique Ortiz
Long time mobility person
Posted by C. Enrique Ortiz on September 08, 2008 at 07:13 PM PDT #
Enrique,
You make a good point. We'll work on it.
Thanks!
Posted by Bill Scott on September 08, 2008 at 10:38 PM PDT #