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Sun puts Java into gear for cars

malebolgia   on 29 June 2004 - 14:34 · 13 comments & 1300 views

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Java is slowly showing up on just about everything. In the last few years Java has shown up on cell phones and now automobiles (in-car computers). What good would Java be in the car be? Java could control in-dash navigation, air conditioning, entertainment, downloadable horn tones, and other functions. Already Sun has signed on with BMW for there series 100, 300, 500 and 600 series.

Having secured a niche for Java in cell phones, Sun is setting its sights and server ambitions on a new client device: cars.

Sun's success in the server market hasn't helped it elbow Microsoft aside in personal computers. Microsoft's Windows, and not Sun's Java, is used as the programming foundation of choice in desktops and notebooks. But PCs aren't the only "client" device that people use to tap into network services. "Clients are back," Jonathan Schwartz, Sun's chief operating officer, told JavaOne attendees here on Monday. "They're touch points between a university and hospital and patients, between drivers and automobile companies, between subscribers and handsets. The evolution of that market (is) beginning to bubble back."

Java has become the leading platform for games on cell phones, and Sun is looking to repeat that success in in-car computers. Schwartz told the JavaOne crowd that in a meeting with an automobile company he had been discussing the $3.5 billion market for ring-tone downloads for cell phones when a younger executive suggested, "We could make downloadable horn tones to an automobile." After the initial burst of laughter at the meeting died down, Schwartz commented: "Do you know a 17-year-old who would pay $5 for a new horn tone on his dashboard? I do."

News source: C|Net News.com


*Added for EU comparison; it appears its not just the UK getting ripped off.

Post a comment · Send to friend Comments · There are 13 additional comments
#1 STV on 29 Jun 2004 - 14:46
i dont think that they can do what microsoft did with that microsoft car. i may be wrong though. i do know that the car uses .NET and windows to do what it does. and as everyone knows, .NET is Java's #1 competitor.

STV
(6 replies) #2 Intelman on 29 Jun 2004 - 15:23
Why is java so great....it always seems slow to use on the desktop.
#2.1 kingius on 29 Jun 2004 - 15:24
Its not, lol

The only good Java program I know of is Cinema 4D.
#2.2 eris on 29 Jun 2004 - 17:12
It seems slow because the java virtual machine needs to start or because it was written poorly.
#2.3 rogerroger on 29 Jun 2004 - 18:48
I agree... Java is slow loading as well. No Java in my car, its already slow enough!


Just say NO.
#2.4 parimal_kumar on 29 Jun 2004 - 18:55
QUOTE (#2.3)
downloadable horn tones

What would be a good tune? Beethoven's 5th? Cry of the Wakyries? anything by The Police???
#2.5 bangbang023 on 29 Jun 2004 - 19:55
it's cross platform compatible. That's huge.
#2.6 UKer on 30 Jun 2004 - 09:58
It's popular because of how easy it is to use compared to C/C++ (i.e. garbage collection etc.) and the fact that applications can be developed much quicker than in C/C++ also - as well as the cross platform compatability and trend for universities to teach it at higher levels as programmers can learn it without previous programming experience and it puts them in good stead to learn C/C++.
#3 Paganash on 29 Jun 2004 - 18:55
QUOTE
downloadable horn tones


Oh my gods...please no! I hate ringtones enough as it is...the last thing I want to hear is someone's car next to me playing some pseudo-muzak version of "Toxic" on the horn.

/me votes for immediate legislation against "horntones"
#4 MegaManXcalibur on 29 Jun 2004 - 19:36
Ahh yes so the good old fasion mechanical way of controlling things is now obsolete? I don't know about you guys but as far as I'm concerned the more high-tech stuff the put into cars the more things there is to go wrong. I'm still perfectly happy with my good old fashion analog gauges, mechanical tempurature controls, and basic radio. Then again I'm the poor soul who has to repair the car when it breaks.

QUOTE
/me votes for immediate legislation against "horntones"


I'm going to vote for that legislation as well! Last thing I want is people honking their horns at me because they think they sound cool.
#5 MattGM on 29 Jun 2004 - 20:23
We're sorry, but "Fuel_Gage.java" requres JRE1.3.1_05. You are currently running JRE1.4.1_02. You must install JRE1.3.1_05 for "Fuel_Gage.java" to run correctly.

We're sorry, but "Radio.java" requires JRE1.3.1_03. You are currently running JRE1.3.1_05. You must install JRE1.3.1_03 for "Radio.java" to run correctly.

Error: Null pointer exception
in module engine.ignition.start
#6 jpcahn on 30 Jun 2004 - 00:00
They already tried this type of crap with the AutoPC from Clarion and it was terrible form what I read. It crashed quite all the time. Maybe if they can get the cost to a reasonable level this time more people will bite.
#7 IntelliMoo on 30 Jun 2004 - 03:48
Will it be a perpertual beta like 1.50? lol

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