"Orbit" Project Frequently Asked Questions

Note: A description of the Orbit project is to be found here.

What is the significance of the announcement?

A. The collaboration between Sun and Laszlo weaves together two major trends in information technology worldwide:

  1. The development of rich web applications, using Ajax and other techniques, which is a central component of the emerging Web 2.0 phenomenon, and;
  2. The explosion of information services delivered to mobile and other communications devices.

This joint effort will result in a unified software development platform that spans connected PCs and personal devices, enabling new applications, services and content in both the consumer and enterprise markets.

What is Java ME?

A. Java™ Platform, Micro Edition (Java ME) is the most ubiquitous application platform for embedded devices in the world. It provides a robust, flexible environment for applications running on a broad range of devices, such as mobile phones, PDAs, TV set-top boxes, and printers. Applications based on Java ME specifications are written once for a wide range of devices, yet exploit each device's native capabilities. For more information, visit https://java.sun.com/javame/index.jsp.

What types of mobile devices run Java ME?

A. There are over 1100 different models of mobile phones that run Java ME with over 180 carriers supporting this standard. Other key statistics include:

  • 3.8 billion Java devices worldwide
  • 1.2 billion Java powered phones
  • 4.5 million Java developers worldwide

What type of collaboration is this between Sun and Laszlo, and are there other joint activities between the companies?

A. With this endeavor, Sun and Laszlo will work together to develop code that is contributed to Project Orbit at openlaszlo.org, as well as to Sun-hosted open source projects at java.net. Sun and Laszlo are also actively exploring joint business opportunities related to this Java ME development effort and in other areas of the communications industry.

What are the projected milestones for this collaboration?

A. A demo showcasing an OpenLaszlo application running on JavaME will be available by the end of the calendar year on both openlaszlo.org and Java.net. Other milestones, including the target completion date, will be announced at openlaszlo.org and java.net as these dates solidify.

When will Project Orbit begin?

A. Collaboration between the companies has already begun and a proof-of-concept demo will be available later this year.

How will Sun actively contribute resources? What does that mean?

A. Sun will continue to contribute and maintain the Project Orbit Proof of Concept as part of both the OpenLaszlo and Java Community. Sun looks forward to speaking with customers interested in taking advantage of the technology for commercial use.

What types of applications are you planning to roll out first to mobile devices?

A. Under the current scope of this effort, OpenLaszlo is being extended to enable third parties to develop any application(s) they choose. That means whether developers want to deploy to a computer desktop or to a mobile phone, they’ll be able to build one application, from a single code base, that will run anywhere they choose (just by selecting the "Java ME" or "Flash" or "DHTML" runtime button at the end of development). The functionality, interface richness and information access will remain the same across the various runtimes. Of course, given the size of most mobile devices, the obvious interface factors need to be taken into consideration to maximize the end user experience, but those limitations are design-oriented versus developer-focused.

What are the benefits of using OpenLaszlo for mobile application development?

A. There are three audiences who will benefit most from this collaboration: developers, service/content providers and end users. Specifically:

  • Developers will benefit from the efficiency of having a unified, standards-based language to build applications that can be deployed across computers and devices.
  • Service or content providers will benefit from distribution virtually anywhere, at any time.
  • Users will enjoy clear and consistent interfaces that relay information and services in a rich, fluid and interactive manner across their various devices and venues.

Do you have to be a Java ME developer to use OpenLaszlo?

A. No. Typically, application developers familiar with XML and JavaScript find adoption of OpenLaszlo fast and intuitive. For more information, see "Learn Laszlo in 10 Minutes."

How can we get more information on Project Orbit’s progress?

A. There will be "Project Orbit" information available on the Orbit Project Page on openlaszlo.org. Some code that is used in this effort will be made available separately at java.net; all code developed as part of Project Orbit will be open source.