JavaOS

JavaSoft is a subsidiary enterprise of Sun Microsystems and developed JavaOS (code name Kona) which was introduced to the public at the end of May 1996 at the JavaOne developer conference. JavaOS has clearly a different one system structure than typical desktop or server operating systems. JavaOS is very compact and was designed especially for embedded devices to be able to execute Java applications on this directly. It needs neither a file system nor virtual memory, concept conditionally it supports only a programming language at the execution and does not have his own system calls. It boots independently, supports a password protected login, own device drivers, has its own window system and API and can execute several Java applets at the same time. JavaSoft has granted licences to more than 25 manufacturers, to this companies belongs Oracle Corp., Acer Inc., Xerox, Toshiba Corp. and Nokia which will use the JavaOS in her products. IBM and Sun announce the cooperation for JavaOS for Business at the end of March 1998.

Update: November 2001
Savaje Technologies offers JavaOS with the Espial Escape browser for handhelds in Java. The operating system called SavaJe XETM is especially designed to run Java 2 applications (J2SE) on handhelds and embedded devices. The Espial Escape browser is a fast and safe program for enterprise applications even for complex web pages.

Field of Application
- Execution of java applications
- JavaOS for NC (Network CLients), use on Thin clients without fixed disk
- JavaOS for Consumer is optimized for networked consumer products like navigation systems or handhelds, Settop Boxes, WebPhones
- Browse on the Internet with the HotJavaTM browser

Structure information
- Platform independent
- supports 32-bit up to 128-bit operating systems, depending on used platform
- Microkernel
- needs low resources, 256 kbytes of RAM and 512 kbytes of ROM, for Internet application 4 mbyte RAM and 3 mbyte ROM
- small and efficient
- works with an Host-system or standalone
- HotJava as a window system installable