San Francisco; JavaOne — (press release excerpt) — Sharp Corporation today announced that it has entered into discussions for alliance and/or collaboration with software development companies Access, Pumatech, and Office Noa to develop applications software for its Java/Linux platform for Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs).

Sharp is demonstrating prototypes of a Java/Linux-based PDA platform for application development here at the JavaOneSM Conference, Sharp Booth No.613, held June 4-8 in Moscone Center. The prototypes incorporate both the Java application environment from Sun Microsystems, Inc., open-architecture Linux operating system, and other software.

Previously, Amiga, Inc. previously announced it is developing existing and new Java applications for Sharp's new PDA environment for gaming, 2D, 3D, animation, video, and music. Sharp's newest potential partners in application development are:

• Access, which provides the Netfront browser-based software for PDAs
  
• Office Noa, with its Nancy Technology to develop software for video and multimedia in wireless environments; and
  
• Pumatech, which provides synchronization software between PDAs and other computer environments.

Sharp Corporation, the largest maker of handheld devices in Japan, has previously stated that in the Fall 2001 it will be marketing a new series of Java-based handheld devices on a global basis, with a goal of selling one million units worldwide by March 2002. Through the rapid development of JavaTM technology developed by Sun Microsystems as a common software implementation environment, Sharp is seeking global leadership in content, software and processing power for handheld communications in entertainment, multimedia and mobile business applications for consumers. Also, the Linux operating system is gaining wider acceptance among computer makers and software developers because of its versatility, power, and distribution.

“We intend to aggressively combine Java with Sharp's user interface technology and core devices, particularly LCDs, to develop powerful handheld products in wireless communication, data integration, multimedia, and PIM-based applications,” said Hiroshi Uno, general manager, Mobile Systems Division, Sharp Corporation, Japan. “Sharp is seeing tremendous early promise from Access in browser technology, Amiga in gaming, Office Noa in multimedia/video, and Pumatech in synchronization. These are positive indicators that the developer community can create remarkable applications for Java-based handheld devices.”

During JavaOne, Sharp will conduct mobile solution demonstrations with Access, Amiga and Office Noa at Booth No.613, Moscone Center. Over the next 90 days, Sharp intends to make several announcements of creative applications coming from the Java developer community for its next generation of handheld products using the powerful Java/Linux platform.

 
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