The specification for an API that lets Java ME developers create converged multimedia applications based on the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) has been published by JCP (Java Community Process).

The specification is called JSR (Java Specification Request) 281 IMS Services API. A reference implementation (RI) of the specification and a technology compatibility kit (TCK) are now available from Ericsson. The TCK consists of a set of tests that will ensure that all implementations of the JSR are in line with the specification.

Stefan Svedberg, head of the IMS Terminal Eco System at BU Multimedia, says:

“JSR 281 is a powerful API for third party application developers. It will allow them to write IMS applications in Java without having to know any details about the IMS technology,” he says.

“We expect that all feature phones will support JSR 281 in the future. The JSR 281-enabled phone will probably be available on the market in nine to 12 months.”

Each JSR has a specification leader, Ericsson in the case of JSR 281, and an expert group. The expert group should ensure that the specification can be widely adopted. In case of JSR 281, the expert group included major mobile phone manufacturers such as Sony Ericsson, Nokia, Samsung and Motorola, operators such as Orange France and Vodafone, and IT companies such as Sun and IBM.

As specification leader, Ericsson has created the RI in order to prove that specification can be implemented. The RI can be licensed from Ericsson free of charge.

“We want the specification to become widespread so we have decided to make it available free of charge,” Svedberg says.

TCK will be available under a standard TCK license.

Work with another JSR that will simplify IMS application development even further has already begun. This JSR, JSR 325 IMS Communication Enablers, will provide an API that exposes a set of high-level IMS service components, for example presence functionality and group list management. Ericsson is specification leader for JSR 325.