Sun uses Java to educate coffee machines

NEWS Sun Microsystems is taking its Java technology back to its roots by integrating its HotJava browser into coffee machines and other devices. Intelligent photocopiers and toll booths will also be given the HotJava treatment, allowing them to show advertisements and promotions. In addition to the media applications, Sun also says owners and service technicians will be able to get data straight from the machines or be alerted if a problem had occurred. Gary Barnett, analyst at Ovum, welcomed the idea. "Embedded Java in devices is not a new idea and it's not as silly as it sounds," he said. The important issue is not how intelligent drink machines are, but whether devices such as printers could be connected to the network, according to Barnett. He claims Sun's Jini technology, using Java to connect printers to networks, could be harnessed to the HotJava browser. "Technology like Jini gives companies a big head start. Although we have yet to see any real solution come out using this technology, it gives the potential to plug a device into the network so any problems can be sorted out before the customer knows they are there," Barnett said.