Real time operating system firm Microware Systems Corp has extended the licensing agreement it has with Sun Microsystems Inc which couples its OS-9 operating system with the Java programming language. The latest extension will see Microware offer a Java package for Original Equipment Manufacturers, which the Des Moines, Iowa company believes will enable OEMs to quickly choose the components to include in their particular consumer products, therefore bringing their products to market much quicker. Microware first started working with Sun in February 1996, before Sun’s JavaSoft division came into existence, Microware licensing the Java Development Kit. Around the same time it was approached by Cable & Wireless Plc which wanted to use Java enabled OS-9 in set top boxes for Hong Kong Telecom, of which it owns a stake. In April Microware further extended its agreement with Sun incorporating JavaSoft’s EmbeddedJava and PersonalJava Application Programming Interfaces. The full Java package is available now and Microware will be aiming it at the Digital television, Internet appliance and personal communication device markets. Microware was established some 20 years ago and went public in 1996 and now employs around 250 people. The company has recently made separate agreements with Northern Telecom Ltd and LM Ericsson Telefon AB (CI No 3,100) to use Java in the wireless space. Nortel will use OS-9 in its range of mobile Java terminals, extending the use of OS-9, a version of which is used in Nortel’s current digital cellular sets. The line of telephones will work with Global System for Mobile Communications standards and Nortel is also apparently planning a non-mobile range of Java enabled telephones. Rescission is also incorporating OS-9 into future mobile products. Commenting on the future relationship between Microware and Sun, Microware’s director of marketing for consumer products, Arthur Orduna said: We continue to broaden our relationship with Sun and JavaSoft and I think they are in the middle of trying to sharpen their focus in the embedded world, and we want to make sure we’re a key focus in that world.
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