Like Seattle’s latest exotic dancer law, Sun Microsystems has gone “contactless” with its new Java Card platform, which eliminates the need for making contact with a Java Card reader. The contactless smart card can be read up to four inches (10 cm) away, enabling applications in rigorous environments such as public transportation or gaining access to government facilities.
Government identification and ePassport projects are currently being rolled out worldwide with contactless Java technology. According to Frost & Sullivan, contactless smart card shipments reached 121.7 million units in 2004, and are expected to reach 847.3 million in 2009.
“Contactless support creates significant new market opportunities for Java Card technology,” said Tom Goguen, Vice President, Software Marketing at Sun Microsystems.
“This opens new doors for enterprises and government bodies that demand smart card security, the convenience of contactless operation, and the flexibility to easily create or migrate innovative applications.
Java Card technology helps to provide a secure environment for applications that run on smart cards and other devices with very limited memory and processing capabilities.
Multiple applications can be deployed on a single card, and new applications can be added even after it has been issued to end users. Applications written in the Java programming language, can be executed securely on cards from different vendors.
Card issuers can take advantage of interoperable cards, a certified multi-platform, and an open environment for writing new applications using widely available development tools on operating systems like Windows, Linux, and Solaris 10.
The applet interoperability provided by Java Card technology allows card issuers to mix and match third-party applications, including standard payment, stored value, computer authorization, and data management.
