Sun, Qualcomm Tout Java Performance on Smartbooks

June 09, 2009

Sun Microsystems and Qualcomm detailed the early-access release of Java Platform Standard Edition 6 (Java SE 6) ported to Qualcomm's innovative Snapdragon ARM-based processor. This release optimizes Java application performance and power management for Snapdragon-powered smartbooks.

Sun and Qualcomm worked together for nearly a year to port a complete, optimized, and standard version of the Java SE platform onto the Snapdragon platform. Sun's implementation of the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) has been optimized for Qualcomm's Snapdragon chipsets - running over 32x faster than earlier Java SE implementations on ARM-based chipsets. The combination of Java SE and the Snapdragon platform provides a rich Internet and media experience with full web browsing capabilities along with day-long battery life and ubiquitous, real-time connectivity via Wireless Wide-Area Network (WWAN ), Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth technology. On this platform, Java technology will deliver thousands of personal productivity, social graph, and entertainment applications optimized for great performance on Snapdragon.

“We are very pleased to have reached this milestone release,” said Eric Klein, vice president of Java Software Marketing at Sun. “Delivering an optimized Java SE release for this exciting new Qualcomm hardware platform enables customers, developers, and OEM partners to leverage the power of Java and JavaFX software on smartbooks, enjoying consistent access to their Java software content and applications they use at work and at home. This release also demonstrates Sun's commitment to custom engineering services that provide partners like Qualcomm with quality solutions and rapid time to market.”

“Qualcomm's Snapdragon platform is enabling a new class of devices that fundamentally redefine mobility, and by offering the Java SE platform on our Snapdragon products, our OEM partners are in a better position to deliver a compelling and consistent Java user experience on these smartbooks,” said Rob Chandhok, vice president of software strategy for Qualcomm CDMA Technologies. “As Java technology is used throughout social networking, media, and merchandising sites, we believe that a full Java SE port is an important factor in delivering on our vision for smartbooks.”

Smartbooks are a new class of devices that bridge the functional divide between smartphones and laptops, delivering the best aspects of a smartphone experience on a larger-display form-factor. Constantly connected via 3G , Wi-Fi and GPS , smartbooks are ultra-portable, personalizable, easy-to-use, and last all day on a single battery charge. Qualcomm's Snapdragon platform has a unique combination of capabilities that makes it exceptionally competitive in the smartbook category, which is redefining mobility for consumers at productivity and play.