Students serve up creative J2ME applications 1.14.2004 Today InfoTech Wheel of Fortune, Scrabble and Furry Cat are some of the games played on the mobile phone and developed by students using the J2ME (Java 2 Micro Edition) language. Wireless Java Jam contest held at Victoria Theatre recently, 237 students from tertiary institutions and four secondary schools showed off their entertainment and commercial applications for the mobile phone. The event was supported by the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA), which hopes that it can be an area where young people can “plant the seeds of entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation”, said CEO Tan Ching Yee during the prizegiving ceremony. Among the winning entries was CouchPotatoes, developed by four Temasek Polytechnic, developed by four Temasek Polytechnic students. The application serves up TV programme listings, synopses and show ratings on the handphone.The user can also participate in a phone forum and share his opinions with other viewers. Another useful application, also from Temasek Polytechnic, is the Wireless Info Hub that allows the user to download XML data into the phone or PDA via Bluetooth connection. For example, data from the school can be downloaded by students to check timetables and announcements. According to Mrs. Tan, one of the winning teams last year had turned its application into a commercial venture by setting up not one, but two companies - iMfinity and Snazza. To continue the good work in generating creativity and innovation among students, the IDA is working with schools and the wireless industry to set up “Mobile Clubs” where members can learn about and play with wireless technologies, she said. These clubs would be run by the school as part of its co-curricular activities. "Through such clubs, we hope that students will not only be equipped with the hard technical skills, but will also be exposed to softer issues in the wireless industry, such as an understanding of intellectual property rights in the mobile content space.” The first Mobile Club is a collaboration between Orange Gum, a mobile content provider, and Victoria Junior College. Students upload creative work for their school mates on a wireless platform hosted by Orange Gum and a student was on attachment during the December holidays at an Orange Gum industry project. The IDA plans to facilitate the set-up of 10clubs by the end of the year. Schools can refer to the IDA website for industry sponsors for the clubs.