Samsung, LG, RIM, Sharp Announce Support for JIL Widget Specification

Four handset manufacturers including LG Electronics, Research In Motion, or RIM, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. and Sharp Corporation  reportedly will incorporate the Joint Innovation Lab widget specifications in mobile handsets starting in 2010.

 

This announcement indicates these handset manufacturers’ commitment to global adoption of the JIL widget standard across devices.

 

Established in 2008, the Joint Innovation Lab initiative promotes the development of new mobile technologies, applications and services. It is a joint venture between Chinese mobile operator China Mobile Ltd., Japan-based SOFTBANK Corp., Verizon Wireless and Vodafone.

 

JIL’s aim has been to create a single global platform or specification for developers, in order to encourage the creation of a wide-range of innovative and useful mobile widgets.

 

Generally, a widget is a small, Web-based application, which provides customers with quick access to useful services such as weather guides, stock lists and flight trackers as well as entertainment services such as games and music. Widgets developed for mobile devices are called as mobile widgets.

 

With the help of mobile widgets, customers can have enhanced mobile Internet experience, may it be a on a smartphone or a low-cost mobile handset.

 

JIL said that it has developed a common mobile widgets specification or a platform for mobile widgets. The platform is based on mobile operators' unique capabilities that facilitates developer community to develop applications for all types of handsets, thereby providing customers with access to a range of compelling, rich mobile Internet services.

 

The company has been working in close cooperation with a range of industry standards bodies, including the OMTP (News - Alert) and the GSMA, in order to outline specifications that will make it easier for developers to create widgets that run on a wide range of handsets, operating systems and networks.

 

With the launch of wide range of JIL widget compliant handsets, developers will be able to create applications that can be rolled out to customers across the JIL member companies. These JIL member companies have a combined user base of more than 1 billion spread across Africa, Asia, Europe and North America. Customers can reap the advantages of wide range of useful and innovative mobile applications.

 

JIL compliant handsets have already been launched in some European countries as well as China.

 

In addition to mobile widgets specification, JIL also provides developers with easy-to-use developer kits, as part of the initiative. Developers also receive an online repository, distribution and payment mechanism to encourage them to launch products to customers in more than 70 countries across North America, Asia, Europe and Africa.