Sun to Bring J2ME Java to Apple iPhone

Following the announcement of a software development kit earlier this week, Sun has announced that they will release a version of Java Micro Edition, J2ME, for Apple’s iPhone later this year. The application will be released on the iTunes App Store.

Java and iPhone have had a winding trail of support, and then lack of support. Apple initially made conflicting statements in regards to iPhone containing Java, and temporarily used Java for certain applications during iPhone’s development. However, Apple ultimately declined to use Java in the device, citing limitations in J2ME’s performance on a device as advanced as iPhone.

Sun stated in initial reports that they aim to enable the full range of J2ME functionality that iPhone supports. This means enabling all compatible JSR (Java APIs) that will allow iPhone to run almost all Java Micro Edition applications currently available. Sun did not say, however, if the runtime would be available for free, or for a charge.

Future generations of Sun technology, according to the company’s own developers, could add Java SE (desktop) support, as well as JavaFX, the company’s more-powerful successor to JavaME technology.