We all go gaga over Android, Apple OS, Symbian OS S60 v5 and we do know of Sony Ericsson’s java interface. But there are not many who are aware of Sony Ericsson’s development initiative “Project Capuchin“. What’s unique about it is that it is a community based platform for newer mobiles which is jointly developed by Sony Ericsson and community developers (albeit in a small part but significant part.)
What’s New :
Project Capuchin integrates Adobe Flash lite content and Java ME such that the content created by Adobe Flash feels like Java environment. For example a desktop wall clock created in Adobe Flash, is based inside a .jar file , installs and is used as a .jar file is normally used, but feels like Flash lite content.
How Does it Work :
According to Sony Ericsson
“Project Capuchin is a Java ME API which makes it possible for Java to run a Flash Lite content file (*.swf) that is shown on the display. All system events (e.g. key events) are forwarded from Java to Flash Lite and the Flash Lite player has a choice of listening to these events. In case Flash Lite wants to access some information then it is done through Java. Communication between Flash Lite and JSRs are handled through an intermediate class that works as a translator.”
Confused ??? Check out this image which shows a detailed description of how Project Capuchin works.
How will it be used :
Project Capuchin will allow pure Adobe Flash Lite content to be encapsulated in Java ME applications with the help of Sony Ericsson Developer World tools, making content created by Adobe Flash technology appear as Java ME applications.
More advanced capabilities will allow Adobe Flash Lite technology to handle an entire presentation layer and make it possible to create Java ME applications where some or all UI components are defined in Flash which was till now not possible.
Current Status :
Although this project is in development , most of us are not aware of it because it’s been quietly launched without much fanfare and present in 38 mobile phones till now since April 2008 (As taken from Sony Ericsson’s website.)
The advantage of Project Capuchin is that it combines the strength of Flash and Java and integrates them both in a seamless environment. Speed and fast UI of Flash Lite and security and developed environment of Java ME are integrated in one single Java ME API.A year later it has developed quite successfully enough to be integrated wholly into a whole lot of mobiles though we expect more from the platform.
Yari which was recently launched by Sony Ericsson is an striking example of Project Capuchin’s success as a platform which indicates that Project Capuchin is slowly turning into a major platform for Sony based Phones.
What’s left to see is what more can they add in it in future to it? Can it be a fully developed platform like Symbian API or just remain a “project.” Share your comments below!
Well, cappuchin will have tough times as the its losing marketspace while others are conquering and perfecting their technologies , i think it wont make the cut because of two reasons first is above and the second is that it offers nothing new .
@apurv, yea that holds true …many things went wrong, such as promotion, and uniqueness..The only advantages it offered were SDK enabling end users to mod content to their whims and fancies, and a merger of two huge platforms…But the fact stays that it wont go to the levels of Java ME or Flash Lite or even Apple OS platform on it's own..contributing to it's loss is that it's not known widely by everyone and as u said, its nothing unique like Android or Apple's offering