This means it will support a range of new Java programming features including instant messaging/chat, presence-based functionality, banking, payment transactions, user ID and authentication through secure encryption, mapping and LBS. The new MSA umbrella standard (JSR-248) also aims to reduce fragmentation for the Java community

Sony Ericsson has supported several of the JSR-248 APIs in its earlier Java Platform versions but with MSA there is finally industry alignment and a clear set of expectations on the implementation.

“With the introduction of MSA, the next-generation Java standard, in our portfolio we hope to continue our proud tradition of delivering consistency, quality and market-leading performance across our range of Java technology enabled phones – for the benefit of our operator customers, third party Java developers and consumers alike,” said Rikko Sakaguchi, SVP and head of portfolio and platform planning at Sony Ericsson.