Press Release

March 25, 2002

Web Services Pack™ Simplifies Building Java-Based Web Services For Small Consumer Devices

Major Vendors Support Integration of Open, Standards-based Technologies

San Francisco, CA - Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNW) today announced the industry's first effort to drive web services standards to mobile and small client devices, such as cellular phones, PDAs, set-top boxes, automotive telematics systems and residential gateways. This all-in-one download will help developers deliver distributed web services to consumer devices by unifying the technology architecture from the backend server to the device.

With analyst estimates of over one billion Java enabled handsets in use by mobile data subscribers at the end of 2006, bringing web services technologies to small devices is a need for developers worldwide. To support this initiative, Sun will bundle the Forte for Java™ wireless toolkit, Java blueprints and APIs based on the new Java Specification Request (JSR) approved by the Java Community Process^SM (JCP^SM) to make it even easier for developers to create and display web services to the modern client and small devices.

In addition, Sun is leading the expert group in the JCP, to develop the small device web service specification, JSR # 172 which was was submitted by Sun and approved by the Java Community Process Executive Committee. The JSR #172 is endorsed by leading Java tool vendors, including Sun (Forte for Java), Oracle (JDeveloper), Metrowerks (CodeWarrior for Java) and Borland (JBuilder), who are supporting this specification in future versions of their products, along with device manufacturers including RIM, Siemens, Symbian, Nokia and Motorola. Sun will provide details on distribution of APIs within the next 90 days.

"This new specification will enable device manufacturers, service providers and content creators to maintain their competitive advantage and capitalize on new revenue streams by rapidly and cost-effectively developing and deploying compelling new, powerful and more robust applications and services to their customers," said Rich Green, vice president and general manager, Java and XML Software, Sun Microsystems. "Sun, in conjunction with the JCP Program, is leading this effort to ensure the industry will receive Web services standards in a timely fashion. The wireless consumer device market is, without question, an area of development where significant opportunities lie for the developer."

The JCP JSR #172 plans to extend Web services standards, including the extensible mark-up language (XML), simple object access protocol (SOAP), and communication with registries and repositories like UDDI and ebXML, to networked mobile and consumer devices. This will enable users to interact with Web services using the millions of cell phones, PDAs and other new client devices currently attaching to the network with the Java 2 Platform, Micro Edition [J2ME™] and allow application developers to create even more powerful and robust solutions in an open, cross-platform environment.

The JCP Executive Committee will oversee several specification review cycles and the specification lead for JSR #172 estimates that this effort will be ready for final Executive Committee approval in Summer 2003. More detailed information on the JSR #172 filing can be found at http://jcp.org/jsr/detail/172.jsp.

Industry Endorsements

Borland
"As the infrastructure for Web Services solutions continues to evolve, adding support for mobile devices is the next step," said Frank Slootman, vice president of software at Borland Software Corp. "The J2ME platform will continue its lead in mobile computing and ensure a standards-based implementation by utilizing the Java Community Process Program to to add Web Services capability. Borland's participation marks our continued leadership in delivering Web Services solutions today, and our early involvement in development and deployment standards, including J2ME, across the industry."

Forte Tools
"We are both participating in and looking forward to the results from the JSR #172 project," said Peter Young, vice president, Forte Tools, Sun Microsystems. "As a tools vendor offering a mobile development environment, we recognize JSR #172 as an opportunity to extend Java technology leadership in delivering development solutions that are lightweight and portable, yet fully secure and reliable. Clearly the Java platform is the momentum leader in terms of the preferred technology for leveraging the new opportunities opened up by 2.5G and 3G networks. Adding robust Web-services capabilities to the J2ME platform will only further Java technology's leadership."

Metrowerks
"This announcement further advances the J2ME™ platform by opening the world of web services to wireless developers," said John Smolucha, vice president of marketing, Metrowerks. "CodeWarrior Wireless Studio will continue to lead and make developers successful in the enterprise space as Metrowerks plans to add support for several new standard APIs shortly after they are approved by the Java Community Process Program."

Motorola
"As a strong supporter of Java technology for mobile devices, Motorola welcomes this initiative," said Anne-Marie Larkin, Motorola vice president and director of Motorola's Wireless Software, Applications and Services (WSAS) division. "Providing a standard method to access Web Services from Java enabled consumer devices will allow application developers to maximize the potential of end-to-end Java applications."

Oracle
"Oracle is committed to open-standards development and believes that the JCP's efforts to help extend Web services access to mobile devices will allow developers to quickly and easily take advantage of this new technology," said Jacob Christfort, chief technology officer and vice president of Product Development for Oracle's Mobile Products and Services division. "Creating this set of standards will help extend the Java community's widely adopted development techniques while taking advantage of increased productivity."

RIM
"As the importance of Web services increases and the growing base of Java-enabled wireless devices remains fragmented, it will be critical for a et of open standards to facilitate the successful and broad development of applications and services for both the consumer and enterprise markets," said Dave Yach, vice president, Software, Research In Motion. "The JCP Expert Committee has the experience and representation necessary to drive this initiative."

Siemens
"This is an exciting development, not only for the world of wireless communication, but consumers too," said Peter Zapf, president of Mobile Phones, Information and Communication Mobile Group. "Establishing standardized Web services for mobile devices means that the enormous potential for choice and control that Java technology offers can be realized. Siemens is committed to working with Sun Microsystems, as well as developers and operators alike, to ensure that consumers receive the best applications and services that Java technology can offer."

Symbian
"Symbian welcomes the J2ME Web services initiative," said Mark Wilce, Vice President, Product Management, Symbian. "The power of Symbian OS, which has been chosen by two thirds of the industry as the standard operating system for their advanced 2.5G and 3G mobile phones, combined with the flexibilityof Java technology, will allow corporations to unleash the potential of Web services on mobile devices."

About the Java Community Process Program

Since its introduction in 1995 as the open, inclusive process to develop and revise Java technology specifications, reference implementations, and technology compatibility kits, the Java Community Process program has fostered the evolution of the Java platform in cooperation with the international Java developer community. More than 150 Java technology specifications are in development in the JCP program, which has over 400 company and individual participants. For more information on the JCP program, please visit http://jcp.org.

About JavaOne Developer Conference

JavaOne Developer Conference is the world's largest conference for developers. Started in 1996, the JavaOne Developer Conference provides opportunities for developers and businesses who want in-depth technical training, a chance to network with top developers and exposure to real-world solutions and the over-arching developer community. For more information about the Conference, visit http://java.sun.com/javaone/.

About Sun Microsystems, Inc.

Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision - The Network Is The Computer™ - has propelled Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNW) to its position as a leading provider of industrial-strength hardware, software and services that power the Internet and allow companies worldwide to take their businesses to the nth. Sun can be found in more than 170 countries and on the World Wide Web at http://sun.com.

Sun, Sun Microsystems, the Sun logo, Java, JavaOne, Java Community Process, JCP, J2ME, Forte and The Network Is The Computer are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries.