PortalPlayer to license Java for media players

EE Times

(12/05/2005 12:37 PM EST)

MANHASSET, N.Y. — PortalPlayer Inc., a supplier of advanced semiconductor, firmware and software solutions for the personal media player market, has licensed Sun Microsystems` Java platform, Micro Edition (Java ME) technologies for its personal media player platforms, expected to be released in the first half of 2006.

The agreement will enable customers of Portal Player (San Jose) to add Java applications such as games and productivity tools to next-generation personal media players.

As part of the agreement, PortalPlayer will use two key Java ME technologies from Sun, including the Connected Limited Device Configuration HotSpot Implementation 1.1, and an optimized implementation of the Mobile Information Device Profile (MIDP) 2.0. These components will initially enable users of personal media players that incorporate PortalPlayer`s platforms to download and run various Java-based games and other applications written as MIDlets.

In next generation devices, the downloading of Java-based content is expected to be conducted either wirelessly through a mobile service provider or a local area network.

This agreement provides PortalPlayer access to the strong Java development community to create new applications that are customized to take advantage of the powerful features enabled by PortalPlayer`s core technologies.

``Java is a fundamental piece of technology that helps to tap the vast capabilities of PortalPlayer`s core processor and firmware technologies,`` said Michael Maia, vice president of sales and marketing at PortalPlayer, in a statement. ``PortalPlayer is now leveraging the talents of the Java community to accelerate the delivery of exciting applications for next generation devices.``