Although written by a self-described “open source Java developer,” this technical article at JavaWorld.com attempts to provide a fair comparison between J2ME and the .NET compact framework. The author explores how to build GIS mobile clients using a mix of .NET Web services, J2EE, J2ME, and .NET Compact Framework technologies, using XML Web services to enable such a heterogeneous design.

The author finds that both J2ME and the .NET Compact Framework provide similar sets of features and development tools, and concludes that the two are likely to coexist into the future — with business issues, rather than technical merits, most likely determining a developer's choice. His best shot at a guideline: “If the mobile application must work on a variety of devices from low-end cell phones to high-end PDAs, J2ME is the only choice. If you only deploy to Pocket PC devices and your developers already have .Net and VS.Net skills, .Net Compact Framework makes sense.”

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