The developer kit lets programmers write Java applications that comply with version 1 of the Mobile Information Device Platform (MIDP), a collection of Java features geared specifically for cell phones. Nokia plans support for the recently completed MIDP 2.0, but Andrews declined to say when tools that support the new platform would be released. The developer kit also includes support for Nokia-specific enhancements to MIDP 1, such as user interface improvements for games or sound features for customized ring tones, Andrews said.

The Nokia tools are certified to work with Red Hat's 7.2 comfort zone iphone case version of Linux, Andrews said, The Windows version of Nokia's development kit is also free, The top seller of mobile phones releases software to let Linux programmers develop Java software for its cell phones, Nokia is a strong backer of the use of Sun Microsystems' Java software on its cell phones, touting Java's ability to let the same program run on a variety of different phone models, Until now, developers have typically had to use a Windows computer to write Java programs for Nokia phones, But the Finnish company made available on Tuesday a free Linux version of its developer's tools for Java, which can be downloaded from Nokia's Web site..

CNET también está disponible en español. Don't show this again. Cell phone and Wi-Fi wireless networks have been on course to either merge or collide for about two years, since handset maker Nokia unveiled plans for "dual-mode" phone like the one Motorola is now developing. Wi-Fi wireless networks have a range of about 300 feet in radius and allow for the transfer of files at speeds of up to 11mbps. Cellular phone networks cover huge distances at a time, but crawl at less than 56kbps when shuttling data like e-mails or Web pages.

Nokia and Matsushita are among those in the industry that believe the two wireless networks are complementary, But others say the two types of networks--as a result of being two different ways of providing comfort zone iphone case wireless access--are eventually going to be foes, Some industry go as far as predicting that Wi-Fi will eventually be the wireless network of choice, The number of Wi-Fi hot spot providers selling access on a monthly, weekly or daily basis has increased significantly in the past year, In addition, calls made using the equipment from Avaya, Proxim and Motorola will sometimes travel over the Web, and not via the networks of the local landline phone companies--potentially creating opposition from those traditional providers..

Meanwhile, nearly every U.S. cellular carrier has either expressed an interest in selling Wi-Fi access. T-Mobile is the only one with a service available now, which gives its customers access to Wi-Fi networks inside about 2,000 Starbucks cafes for a fee. Technical challenges on horizonThe gear announced Tuesday includes a phone from Motorola that uses both Wi-Fi and cell phone networks. The telephone network equipment and the software to manage it all comes from Avaya, while Proxim is building a new kind of Wi-Fi access point. Early trials of prototypes will begin sometime in the latter half of 2003, with a commercial release of the products due in about 12 to 18 months. Prices of the equipment haven't been set yet.