When Sun Microsystems first launched its Java software and application platform for mobile phones the company hoped Java would allow developers to "write once, run anywhere." That dream has yet to be fulfilled, and given the diverse nature of mobile phones and handhelds, it may never be completely realized. While Sun's mobile information device profile (MIDP) is used in roughly half the world's cell phones, device makers like Nokia and Motorola continue to use their own MIDPs and proprietary software in addition to mobile Java, further complicating matter for mobile software development.
For more on device fragmentation and mobile Java:
- view this piece from CNET