Motorola's open source mobile Java initiative

Tony Cripps, Senior Analyst and Service Manager

Motorola has called on the Java ME (Mobile Edition) community to work together to create a complete open source Java ME software stack licensed under the Apache Licence 2.0 model. The move is designed to reduce fragmentation in the Java ME platform, which in turn will offer greater efficiencies for application developers.

On the face of it, this sounds like a very sensible idea - Motorola's proposal could help make Java ME fragmentation less of a problem than it has been to date. However, it is not yet clear how these plans will sit alongside those of Java creator Sun Microsystems to open source the Java ME platform itself or whether the industry will accept them, potentially rendering Motorola's efforts impotent.

While the mobile industry has seen a steady improvement in cross-device portability of mobile Java applications as it has evolved, the situation is still far from optimal. As such, a proposal of the type Motorola is offering has obvious potential to improve this situation further.

The company intends to develop and offer a complete Java ME software stack, under the popular Apache Licence. To complicate matters, Sun stated its intention in August 2006 to open source the entire Java ME platform by the end of 2006.

Given Sun's ownership of Java ME and the fact that it has not yet confirmed the licence under which it plans to open source its technology, there could yet be conflicts in terms of licensing.

While Apache Licence 2.0 is approved by the Open Source Initiative (OSI), it is not compatible with the GNU General Public Licence (GPL) - the licence under which many high-profile open source developments, notably those around Linux, are governed.

If Sun chooses to license under the GPL rather than Apache 2.0, it could limit the focus of Motorola's influence on areas of Java ME higher up the stack and potentially in areas more closely related to handset product differentiation.

There is concern over Motorola's efforts to build a complete Linux platform for handsets built, as far as possible, from open source components. The main concern is that manufacturers outside the group will not make use of these developments due to Motorola's vested interest, despite the fact that the cost of developing Linux handsets could be reduced.

However, Motorola's choice of Apache 2.0 for its Linux Java ME work is important because the licence enables developers to turn the code into closed source licensed software (for example, IBM WebSphere is based on Apache). From this we can conclude that Motorola is not concerned about others doing the same with its Java ME code.

Industry paranoia or not, Motorola needs to take heed of such concerns and to make its own messaging as clear as possible, not just for mobile Linux but now for Java ME too. We will have to wait to hear Sun's Java ME plans to truly know how far Motorola's benevolence around the technology can extend.

Tony is a senior analyst and service manager of Ovum's Wireless Software advisory service. His research focuses on relating software and software markets supporting next-generation mobile services to the requirements for creating good user experiences. His specialist topics include mobile application platforms, wireless content management and delivery, and mobile service customisation and personalisation.