With more than three million J2ME™-enabled wireless handsets deployed by NTTDoCoMo, LG Telecom, and Nextel collectively, (and 100 million commited by Nokia during 2001-2003), Java’s reputation for slow performance is more than ever becoming an issue, especially with the growing demand for more elaborate programs.

To address the weakest of the Java virtual machine layer, which takes substantial processor power to run in addition to the Java program itself, companies such as Zuccotto Wireless, Inc., Aurora VLSI, and ARM Holdings, among others, have developed products that enhance Java acceleration.

Industry analysts are confident that these products will improve performance by three to 10 times.

At the recent JavaOne Conference, cellphone manufacturer Zucotto unveiled its first chip, a combination Java accelerator and Bluetooth wireless communications chip, called the Xpresso™ 100, which will be released during the third quarter of 2001.

The Xpresso 100 is specifically designed for devices in the home entertainment and industrial markets requiring short-range wireless networking. Target devices include remote controls for homes theatre components, point-of-sale terminals, and industrial computing devices and remote sensors such as utility meters.

"Zucotto's Xpress and XPRESSOcore™ technology will provide device manufacturers the high performance required to run many simultaneous Java applications on next-generation wireless devices," said Mark Wells, CEO of Zucotto. "Customers will be able to quickly develop and introduce leading-edge Bluetooth technology-enabled products to the marketplace."

Besides Zucotto, Aurora VLSI has a stand-alone chip called DeCaf, which runs 90 percent of Java instructions and thus is faster than competitor ARM Holdings’ Jazelle chip at 80 percent.

In combination with high-speed third-generation networks, Java accelerator's will enable Java programs to be downloaded more quickly, encouraging the development of more powerful, advanced programs, such as MP3 players or better games.

For more information: http://www.zucotto.com; http://www.auroravlsi.com; http://www.arm.com/

Mobileinfo Comments and Advisory: We applaud Zucotto and Aurora VLSI for this innovation - much needed and much appreciated. We are bullish about J2ME also.