We're sure there have been some really great Java Micro Edition apps developed over the years, we just haven't been fortunate enough to find any that aren't a Bejeweled variant run into many of them. But that could very well change with the news that Sun is using that fancy new SDK to develop a Java Virtual Machine for the iPhone, which it expects to have ready "some time after June," and which will allow iPhone users access to the vast libraries of existing JME apps. We suppose the real conundrum now is which Java ME app we'll grab first: Harry Potter, or MapQuest Mobile. These choices, they overwhelm us.

[Via Mac Rumors]

Not a lot to say here -- which in the case of the Iqua Sun is a good thing. The term "solar powered headset" evokes images of headborne monstrosities no sane individual would allow to ride on their noggins, but the Sun is a totally reasonable looking and reasonably sized Bluetooth headset that just happens to be able to charge off the sun's rays. Yeah, it takes longer to juice it that way than it does via the mains, but hey, it's free and it's everywhere. Good stuff!

Bluetooth headsets are one of those accessories that need to work well and stay the hell out of your way, and often times remembering to charge them (in addition to your phone) is a real drag. Incoming from the ridiculously obvious department: Iqua's solar-powered Bluetooth headset. We're not sure how much solar charging is an order to combat the energy stresses of use (or whether this thing for sure has a battery -- although we can't imagine why it wouldn't), but one less minuscule gadget to worry about charging is just fine by us. We'll hit you with more on this one as info becomes available.

Considering that we've already seen Sun parade its iPhone-like Java Mobile FX platform around, it's not too surprising to hear that Samsung and Sun Microsystems could be teaming up to "jointly develop a mobile phone to challenge Apple's iPhone." Furthermore, the two firms already have a history together, and according to Sun Chairman Scott McNealy, the duo could be working on "a Java phone that would surpass Apple's iPhone in functionality and cost less." Of course, Sun's spokespeople couldn't be reached for comment and Samsung's folks simply stated that "no decision had been made regarding co-development of the Java phone," so it looks like we'll be filing this away in the somewhat believable rumor cabinet for the time being.

[Via CNET]

An announcement made this week states that Sun Microsystems will be purchasing SavaJe Technologies' intellectual property assets. While we haven't really been witness to much action on the SavaJe front, we can see why Sun would like to acquire the company's Java-heavy technology. Of course, SavaJe intended to provide a more complete experience than Sun's own J2ME ever intended to, even going as far as a physical handset release to demo the platform's capabilities. Alas, the company struggled mightily and this acquisition by Sun makes sense to all parties, we suspect. Details of the transaction -- and what it means for both organizations' efforts -- will be released at the JavaOne Conference in May.

[Via Phone Scoop]

Ever spend a lazy day at the beach, letting the hours drift by under a stratosphere heavily depleted of ozone, only to come home and discover that your skin's turned redder than the Cherry Chocolate in your pocket? Philips has the solution to the pollution in a patent filing recently made public -- but we've gotta warn you, it doesn't look cheap. First, we've gotta build a nationwide network of UV sensors that are capable of transmitting their status to nearby cell towers. Then, we need said towers to know how to process the data and alert nearby phones of the badness of the sun's rays based on the user's current location. For the coup de grâce, Philips also throws in the ability to notify the user of a recommended SPF number, but right now we're more concerned about the sheer mass of infrastructure required to get the basic setup up and running. Don't get us wrong, it'd be nice to avoid using our common sense to avoid sunburn, but this is one system we don't see coming to fruition.

[Via New Scientist Tech]