Sun Microsystems and Laszlo Systems today announced a collaboration to enable OpenLaszlo applications to run on devices supporting the Java Platform, Micro Edition (Java ME) application. OpenLaszlo is a widely adopted open source application development platform that uses Ajax-style programming techniques, integrating XML and JavaScript, to create rich and robust online experiences. With this endeavor, Sun and Laszlo will work together to bridge OpenLaszlo’s expressive markup language, LZX, with the ubiquity and power of the Java ME platform.

OpenLaszlo, currently in version 3.3, was designed from its inception to support the instantaneous, no-download deployment of web applications on a diverse set of client runtime environments. Now with further extension to support the Java ME platform, OpenLaszlo will offer an unprecedented level of development portability and flexibility across a wide variety of Java technology-based phones, television set-top boxes, and other connected devices. Support for OpenLaszlo applications further enhances one of the key strengths of the Java platform - the ability to support development environments and authoring tools targeting a broad spectrum of developer skills and preferences.

Sun and Laszlo expect to release the first demonstrable Project Orbit application running under the Java ME platform later this year at www.openlaszlo.org.