Sun Microsystems, in a tough match with Microsoft over control of its Java programming language, suddenly faces another competitor determined to write a unique version of the product.
The Wall Street Journal reported today that Hewlett-Packard will market its own variant of Java and has already cut a deal with Microsoft to use H-P Java with the software superpower's Windows CE operating system.
The Journal said Hewlett-Packard decided to go its own way after growing frustrated with what it saw as excessive licensing-fee demands by Sun.
The moves are a blow to Sun's bid to control the evolution of Java and come just four days before Sun's JavaOne conference opens in San Francisco.
Alan Baratz, who runs Sun's Java-software division, told the Journal H-P's are merely a "publicity stunt" and a negotiating ploy to wrest more favorable terms from Sun. And he predicted H-P will have little marketing success because potential customers may be concerned about supporting a splinter Java faction.
Full story to follow.
