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Frequently Asked Questions | Questions & Answers | Terminology
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions & Answers
Q: Is there a need for this kind of an
initiative and a program?
A:Yes.
The initiative and the program are designed to eliminate many
disadvantages such as redundant testing, multiple testing programs with
different testing criteria, which all add costs to the value chain.
Additionally, more marketable and innovative applications can be
brought to the market faster with streamlined testing procedures. Back to list.
Q: Does this initiative have anything to do with
the Java Community Process (JCP)?
A:
Not directly. The JCP is intended to provide specifications for
platforms (such as Java ME Technology). Some of the testing criteria do reference
specifications as defined by the JCP (such as JSR-185, Java
Specification for the Wireless Industry). Back to list.
Q: Who will benefit from this Program?
A:
All the participants of the value chain will benefit from this program,
as the program will reduce the cost of development of Java ME Technology based
applications without sacrificing quality. End users can associate
themselves with a known quality brand, Operators will have access to
a constant supply of quality applications to their target markets,
handset manufacturers don't need to maintain an independent testing
program, developers have access to a "one-stop-shop" for testing and
certification against one Unified Testing Criteria across the entire
industry. Back to list.
Q: Why should an application be tested?
A:
Testing ensures that an application possesses a certain level of
quality. An application that has satisfied the Unified Testing Criteria
will be able to use a Java Powered™ logo showing that it has passed a
common set
of publicly available criteria and is secure. Knowing this, network
operators will be able to choose and bring to market applications much
more rapidly. Back to
list.
Q: What mobile handset providers are
participating in this program and what is their role?
A:
ACCESS, Motorola, Nokia, Orange, Samsung, Sony-Ericsson,Vodafone Group and LG Electronics are
the current set of mobile device providers participating in the initiative. All
mobile device providers are welcome to participate. Back to list.
Q: What is Sun Microsystems role in this program?
A:
Sun's role is to participate as an equal partner in the initiative in
ensuring that the best possible program is set up and maintained for
the Developer. Sun will not perform any application testing. Back to list.
Q: Is this program restricted to existing
members?
A: No. In fact we are keen on expanding the membership to
operators, non-operator based distribution channels, and other handset
manufacturers, as we believe the whole wireless industry will benefit
from a larger participation. Back to list.
Q: What mobile network operators will be
participating in this program?
A: Starting July 1, 2004, Orange and T-Mobile will
require all new mobile Java applications distributed over their
wireless networks to have passed Java Verified testing. Other operators
are in the process of joining the program. Back to list.
Q: What are the Unified Testing Criteria?
A:
The Unified Testing Criteria are a set of tests that can be applied to
Java ME Technology applications. The criteria are organized into categories.
Categories include Application Launch, Functionality, Operation, User
Interface, Security, Network and Localization. Back to list.
Q: How were the test criteria created?
A:
Sun and the manufacturing partners met and reviewed the tests from the
respective partners. A common set of tests was decided upon. This set
was deemed broad enough to provide a good set of tests but not so
specific to favor one device over the other. By restricting the tests
to applications written in the Java(tm) programming language it was
possible to ignore device-specific features. Back to list.
Q: Who will maintain the testing criteria?
A:
The member companies will maintain The Unified Testing Criteria. It
will be an evolving specification. On a regular basis, the criteria
will be open for public review, comments and suggestions. Back to list.
Q: Do developers have to purchase any
additional tools or test kits?
A: No, the developer is free to use any of a number of available
methods and tools available to produce the application. Back to list.
Q: What will the actual testing procedure
entail?
A:
The application is first run through a set of automatic tests that can
determine the correctness of certain packaging attributes. These tests
produce a testing report and a profile of the application. The profile
describes certain attributes of the application, such as the set of
standard and non-standard classes that are used, size of graphics,
ability to run on certain platforms, etc. Testers at the test houses
then subject the application to a set of largely manual tests. Test
results are made available to the developer. Back to list.
Q: What happens if the application does not
pass?
A:
A developer may resubmit an application and have it tested again.
Depending on the changes, the price for the testing may be a lower
cost. Back to list.
Q: Do operators need to do any additional
testing?
A: Operators need to test only those elements that are specific
to their environment, such as a billing wrapper, or a particular
download server they use to deploy applications. Back to list.
Q: Are applications tested through this program
restricted to any particular air interface protocols?
A: No. The program will test applications that can be downloaded
over the air (OTA) for different air interface protocols. Back to list.
Q: What kind of applications are tested through
this program?
A: The Java Verified Program offers testing for Java ME Technology applications
running on the member companies devices. Back to list.
Q: Will the program evolve to cover networked
applications?
A: Yes, as the areas of use for Java ME Technology applications grows, the
program and, in particular the testing criteria, will evolve. Back to list.
Q: Who does the testing, and does this program
have a global coverage?
A: Third party qualified testing houses on behalf of the program
perform manual testing and application evaluation against the criteria.
Currently we have selected four tested houses to give us global
coverage and to cover different languages. Back to list.
Q: How much does it cost to test an application?
A: Pricing is a function of many factors, such as cross platform
or handset series testing, and terms offered by the chosen test house.
Pricing information is available at each test house link at this site. Back to list.
Q: Will the Member Companies charge for testing?
A: No. In fact the member companies are the sharing the
infrastructure costs. Back
to list.
Q: What happens to an application after it has
been tested?
A:
Upon successful completion of the tests, the application itself is digitally
signed in order to certify that it has been tested and so that potential
distributors of the application can be assured that it has not changed since
being tested. Additionally, the application developer can make use of the
Java Powered™ Logofor marketing purposes.
Back to list.
Q: How does a verified application get sold?
A:
Developers are free to make their application available on any
distribution channel of their choosing. Several of the partners
involved in the Java Verified Program offer B2B catalogs into which an
application
can be submitted. These B2B catalogs are utilized by the mobile
network operators as sources of content for deployment on their
networks. The most important point is that the developer has choice.
They are not forced into a centralized, single source distribution
channel. The net effect is that a unified testing criteria removes much
of the 'friction' and 'clutter' that a developer faces today and at the
same time does not disrupt the open market, which currently exists with
wireless Java application distribution. Back to list.
Q: Can an application pass all the verification
tests but still not get the right to use a Java Powered™ logo?
A:
Yes. Certain applications may not match the criteria as specified in
The "Java Verified Program document" category of the Java Verified
requirements. This category primarily checks the application's
likeliness of being found unfit for publication based on local laws. In
this case, the partners agreed that such applications could still be
tested but would not be allowed to use the Java Powered™ logo. Back to list.
Q: What other assistance is offered through
this program?
A:
The Java Verified Program offers developers the opportunity to have
their applications showcased within the online catalogs of member
companies (e.g. Sun Microsystem's Java.com) for promotion to mobile network operators, handset
manufacturers, and
consumers. To submit your request for consideration, fill out the General
Publicity Release Form 
and fax to (US country code) +253-323-3678. Back to list.
Q: Can I use the Java Powered™ Logo on my marketing materials after my application has passed the tests?
A:
Yes. Go to http://logos.sun.com/logosite.jsp?Category=third&Logo=javapowered-veri to request the logo and follow the the logo useage guidelines.
Back to list.
Q: Can I add the Java Powered™ Logo after my application has passed the tests?
A:
No, the Java Powered™ Logo must be embedded prior to submitting your application. You can download the logo and find embedding instructions on this site. Upon successful completion of the tests, the application itself is digitally signed in order to certify that it has been tested and so that potential distributors of the application can be assured that it has not changed since being tested.
Back to list.
Q: I (still) have a question?
A:After going through this FAQ if your question is still unanswered,
please contact us at jvpo@javaverified.com and we will
be happy to answer any of your questions related to this program. Back to list.
Terminology
- Developer
- The individual or organization that is responsible for the
creation and development of applications which run on mobile handsets.
- Device
- A Java-enabled device that supports the Java ME Technology Platform with the
Connected Limited Device Configuration (CLDC) and Mobile Information
Device Profile (MIDP).
- Digital Signature
- An Application that has been successfully tested through the
program
will be digitally signed so that potential distributors of that
application can be assured that it has not changed since being tested.
The signature does not necessarily impact the security domain under
which the application operates.
- Java Verified Program
- The Java Verified
Program born out of the UTI offers a common testing and certification
program for Java™ technology based applications running on mobile
devices from ACCESS, Motorola, Nokia, Orange, Samsung, SonyEricsson,
Vodafone Group and LG Electronics.
- Java Powered™ Logo
- As a strong commitment to this program, Sun is issuing
Java Powered™ Logo, for broader
marketing purposes, to applications that have been successfully tested
and certified through the program.
- Mobile Device Provider
- The maker of the devices that will host the application.
- Mobile Network Operator
- A company, which operates a network which provides wireless
access and
which makes Java applications available for, download to mobile
handsets.
- Member's Catalog
- Most members of the
program have their own catalog to promote mobile applications. A
developer who wishes to go through this program will have a choice to
list his application on any of the member's catalog to promote his/her
application.
- Unified Testing Initiative
- The Unified
Testing Initiative (UTI) is a co-operative effort among ACCESS, Motorola,
Nokia, Orange, Samsung, SonyEricsson, Sun Microsystems,Vodafone Group and LG Electronics,
and each is know as a Member Company.
- Unified Testing Criteria
- The UTI has
developed specific testing requirements related to the operating
characteristics of a Java application that runs on mobile devices such
as handsets. The testing requirements are commonly referred as the
Unified Testing Criteria (UTC).
- Testing
- The procedure by which Applications are tested against the
Unified Testing Criteria.
- Test House
- The organization that performs the testing of applications.
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