Because Rio is written in Java, the automaker can use it on almost any operating system. Both Java and XML are platform-independent and use HTTP to move data across networks. The technologies are complementary in that XML formats data and Java processes it. Sun expects a specification for the extension to be ready in three to six months. Once it's done, Sun will release it as an add-on to its Java virtual machine.
Users look to XML to solve a variety of problems.
Merrill Lynch uses it as a packaging mechanism for distributing software to PCs. Later this year, it will begin using XML to distribute news and financial data to desktop systems. The brokerage is also experimenting with using XML to distribute data to handheld devices such as 3Com Palm Pilots. For that reason, Merrill Lynch is holding back in using XML in applications that involve real-time stock quotes. Microsoft is working to enhance the functionality of XML applications with a new XML engine that ships this week with Internet Explorer 5.0.