News of the specification comes as work on the Java embedded devices front is consolidating under the design of Sun Microsystems, as well as the word that Sun has debuted a new gateway server and plans to soon bring its Jini technology into the overall stew. Together the events this week could provide for the creation of applications that gather information from and direct commands to just about any appliance fitted with a meager level of intelligence.
Steps are under way to build the applications and servers, as well as the smart devices.
What has been missing, according to industry analysts, is the glue of an effective wireless or wired network between them. That's where the OSG 1.0 specification comes in. The OSG 1.0 gateway will be created under the auspices of the Sun-led Java Community Process. A draft of the specification is expected by mid-1999, the companies announced Monday. Also on Monday, the Real-Time Expert Group was announced to deliver a reference implementation for embedded Java by April 2000.