More than a month ago, Java 8 has announced its General Availability, where other products such as Java Platform, Standard Edition (SE 8), Java Platform, Micro Edition 8 (ME 8) were included in its webcast. In April 30, Oracle has officially publicized Java ME Embedded 8 release, it’s a week after its specifications has been approved.
Java Micro Edition Embedded 8 is a Java Micro Edition (ME) 8 runtime whose specifications are aimed to have more functionalities, portability, flexibility, and security.
This release is based on Java ME Connected Limited Device Configuration (CLDC) 8 or JSR 360 and Java ME Embedded Profile (MEEP) 8 or JSR 361; it also offers the following:
- Alignment with Java SE 8 language features and API
- Updated “services-enabled” application platform
- Support to customize and “right-size” the platform
- Access from Java to a range of devices via GPIO, I2C, SPI, UART and more
- Application development is supported through the Oracle Java ME SDK 8
Oracle also listed the following key features of Java ME Embedded 8:
- Implementation of the Java ME 8 specification
- Versatile and flexible networking and connectivity, including wireless support (3GPP, CDMA, WiFi)
- Improved access to peripheral devices through Device I/O API
- Improved tooling support (Developer Agent, On-device Debugging, Memory Monitor, Network Monitor, CPU Profiler, Logging)
- New APIs for RESTful programming
- JSON API
- Async HTTP API
- OAuth 2.0 API
- Implementation of the following JSRs:
- JSR 75 (File Connection API)
- JSR 120 (Wireless Messaging API)
- JSR 172 (Web Services API)
- JSR 177 (Security and Trust Services API)
- JSR 179 (Location API)
- JSR 280 (XML API)
- Usability, performance, and footprint improvements over previous versions of Oracle Java ME Embedded 3.3 and 3.4
Java ME Embedded 8 is supported by wide selection of developer tools such as Oracle Java ME SDK 8 and Netbeans IDE. And supports the following platforms:
- Raspberry Pi Model B on Debian Linux
- Qualcomm IoE 6270T on Brew MP
- Device Emulation Environment on Windows 7
Oracle site some examples where you can use Java ME Embedded 8:
- Wireless modules
- Smart meters/smart sensors
- Industrial controllers
- Telehealth devices
- Environmental remote monitors
- Tracking systems
- Home automation devices
- Connected vending machines
- and general use cases where devices with local intelligence and versatile connectivity are required