(March 26, 2002) - It's a funny world. In the very same week that all the talk is about how Sun Microsystems and Microsoft Corporation are in a J2EE vs .NET war to the death, so we also receive news of an amazing new closeness between MS and the world of Java...in the mobile space.

The math is compelling, it has to be said. The latest ARC Group market research study estimates that 1.1 billion handsets will be capable of running Java applications by 2006. Last year over 10 million users switched to Java enabled phones in Japan alone, in order to access a variety of sophisticated services, from location-based travel assistance to interactive entertainment. The study highlights that all mobile handsets will be Java-enabled within five years.

So it's hardly surprising that Microsoft too should have been actively on the lookout for some mobile provisioning-infrastructure software to enable its Smartphone 2002 software-based mobile phones and wireless PDAs to download and run J2ME mobile services - including games.

Software maker Insignia Solutions was the perfect choice. Insignia's Jeode platform has already become the de facto Java-enabling software for a variety of Pocket PC based PDAs including those from Compaq, Samsung, and NEC. So now Microsoft has announced it will use Insignia's software to allow Microsoft's mobile products to offer Java-based games, as well as e-mail, mobile commerce, B2B applications, and personal management Insignia further announced that it has also been invited to participate in the Microsoft Mobility Partner Advisory Council (MPAC) - formed by MS in an effort to bring the most innovative and successful solutions to market with like-minded companies investing heavily in mobility. Its shares immediately rocketed by 67.6% - so don't let anyone tell you that Microsoft is never, ever good for Java!