Omron Corp., a Japanese electronic components maker, has developed a microprocessor for cell phones that can directly process Java software ten times faster than conventional products, the company said Tuesday.
After NTT DoCoMo Inc. in January successfully started a new wireless Internet service that allows users to download and run small Java applets, other telecommunications carriers are planning to follow with similar services within this year. However, in order to download Java applets on cell phones, makers have needed to add software to the handset's CPU (central processing unit). This meant extra time was needed for the cell phone software to start up.
With Omron's new processor available to work in a set with the CPU and run the Java software, users will be able to download Java applets more efficiently.
The company is targeting the product at the 3G (third-generation) handset market and hoping to ship 10 million units within two years.