Sprint Courts Developers With 'Titan' PlatformSprint Courts Developers With 'Titan' Platform

Sprint is hoping to attract developers and is launching a new software platform for its Windows Mobile handsets like the HTC Touch Pro and Touch Diamond.

The platform, dubbed Sprint Titan, is an open, standards-based mobile Java ecosystem that Sprint said will make it easier for developers to bring rich desktop-like apps to smartphones. Titan supports existing MIDP Java ME applications and adds CDC/Foundation Java Virtual Machine and the OSGi framework for high-capability applications.

"We are presenting a way to unify the desktop and mobile developer communities to accelerate the delivery of innovative services to our customers," said Len Barlik, Sprint's VP of wireless and wireline services.

The platform will also have rich user interface capabilities, and it enables developers to easily move Eclipse-based or Web applications from the desktop to Sprint handsets. Developers can get more information and download an SDK from developer.sprint.com.

Mobile applications are rapidly becoming a huge draw for mobile phone users, and the market is expected to grow in the next few years. Apple iPhone users have already downloaded more than 300 million programs from the App Store in about 5 months. Google is banking on programs from its Android Market to help spur adoption of its mobile platform, and Research In Motion is planning an online storefront in March 2009 for its BlackBerry smartphones.

The United States' third-largest wireless carrier is trying to lure app-hungry customers by offering the Titan platform, and it's not the only carrier noticing the growing demand. T-Mobile is reportedly planning to open up its entire application platform to software developers and create its own app store for its entire portfolio of phones.