Santa Clara,
Calif and York, UK - April 29, 2004 - Sun Microsystems, the creator and
leading advocate for Java technology, and Developnet, a leading mobile
Java technology provider in the UK, have helped to bring interactive capabilities
to the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) with mobile Java technology.
The BBC recently launched "Come and Have a Go...If You Think You're
Smart Enough," a live interactive game show which airs Saturday nights
on BBC One. The new show is the first BBC game show to allow viewers to
interact via their mobile phones using a Java technology application.
"This
is an exciting and ground-breaking project. We are delighted to have been
involved in developing a mobile application that viewers can use to play
along with a programme," said Michael Taylor, Founder and Managing
Director of Developnet. "The enhanced user experience provided by
Java technology opens the door for more complex and compelling interactive
applications on mobile phones."
"Java
technology is at the center of the connected digital lifestyle,"
said Juan Dewar, senior director, Consumer and Mobile Systems Group, Sun
Microsystems. "Innovators like Developnet and the BBC are using Java
technology to enhance the interactive services that are available to their
audiences."
With over
three million viewers regularly watching "Come and Have a Go"
If You Think You're Smart Enough," the application is built to support
hundreds of thousands of potential simultaneous players. The technology
is also highly secure, with all data transmissions between client and
server being encrypted.
The mobile
Java technology application begins by briefly connecting to the J2EE server
to synchronize the mobile phone with the broadcast. During the quiz, the
mobile Java application operates in a disconnected fashion, thus minimizing
connection charges for the player. At the end of the quiz, the application
submits the answers to the server.
The application's
special design staggers network traffic to help prevent overloading of
the mobile network infrastructure. The server calculates the player's
score and responds in real-time, giving the player immediate feedback
and indicating whether they are eligible for a chance to win the 30,000
pounds Sterling cash prize.
About Developnet
Developnet
specializes in the design and development of custom-built Java 2 Micro
Edition (J2ME) mobile solutions, from simple games to enterprise applications.
Developnet supplements its software development services with high quality
technical consultancy and support to provide clients with a truly comprehensive
service. Please visit http://www.developnet.co.uk
for complete information.
About Sun
Microsystems, Inc.
Since its
inception in 1982, a singular vision -- "The Network Is The Computer"
-- has propelled Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNW) to its position
as a leading provider of industrial-strength hardware, software and services
that make the Net work. Sun can be found in more than 100 countries and
on the World Wide Web at http://sun.com
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