News
Issue #2001 - 26 (June 2001)
(Updated June 27,  2001)

TECHNOLOGY

Application Development Platform Race has Begun: BREW vs. J2ME

Sun Microsystems and Qualcomm are intending to push wireless development onto the fast track; if successful, gone will be the days of the tediously slow wireless Web. Even though Sun was off the mark first with its Java™ 2 Platform, Micro Edition (J2ME™), Qualcomm has not wasted any time promoting its Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless (BREW) application protocol. 

Leveraging its familiar Java language, Sun designed J2ME specifically for the consumer market of tiny commodities, such as smart cards and handhelds devices. Qualcomm has similar ambitions for BREW. Both claim that their platform will open up opportunities for device manufacturers, service providers, and others by enabling them to be first to market. 

Even though BREW is the new kid in the race, industry experts see it as becoming the frontrunner. Recently, the platform received applauses from three mobile operators: KDDI Corp. of Japan, a KT Freetel based in Korea and Verizon Wireless in the United States all plan to launch the BREW platform before December. 

In addition Japan's J-Phone Communications Ltd. plans to use BREW to integrate applications such as GPS for automobiles and entertainment applications such as melody downloads. To enhance its applications-handling capabilities, the Japanese company plans to integrate the Java on top of BREW. 

But with the host of announcements at the recent JavaOne Conference, J2ME is not short of supporters. 

What gives BREW the slight edge over Java?
Processing Power: Because the J2ME runs on a Java virtual machine, it requires more processing power then BREW. Running in a native environment on the device, BREW has the possibility of faster and more complex applications, including e-mail, mobile text chat, position location services, on-line and off-line games, and streaming video. Low performance continues to be an issue for Java; however, companies like Zucotto Wireless, Aurora, and ARM Holdings are developing Java accelerator chips to take over some of the duties of the virtual machine, which will help to accelerate the execution of Java instructions. 

Language Specific: Whereas J2ME is language independent, BREW applications can be developed in C, C + +, or Java, depending on the host device. Thus BREW- enabled devices with a Java virtual machine are capable of running Java applets. But with the growing number of Java developers, writing programs for J2ME should pose no problem.

Device Dependent: At present BREW applications are dependent on Qualcomm's CDMA chipsets running on a CDMA network. However, the company says that in due course the platform will be opened up to other technologies. 

The marathon race has begun! Only a high-risk bettor would place their bet, now. Stay tuned.

For more information: http://java.sun.com/j2me/; http://www.qualcomm.com

Mobileinfo Comments and Advisory: Application-development platform choice is not easy and should be made only after a careful analysis by unbiased application architects trained on more than one platform. Personal expertise, egos and zealousness should not enter this analysis. However, some generalizations can be made. We believe that high-level business applications should be developed in Java for multi-device support. BREW is too Qualcomm-specific and network chip-biased. On the other hand, device-dependent applications should be developed in a hybrid fashion with high-activity functions and device drivers developed using higher-performance BREW and more common business applications in Java. Ultimately it is a matter of tradeoffs and decision-makers should know how to make tradeoffs. Go to our application development pages.

Note: This news release may contain forward-looking statements. Readers should take appropriate caution in developing plans utilizing these products, services and technology architectures.  All trademarks used in this summary are the property of their respective owners.