August 23, 2007 – Sony Ericsson is putting all the bet into Java ME by releasing the Sony Ericsson Virtual Lab – a remote testing service designed to dramatically reduce the time and resources required to develop and test Java™ ME based applications for Sony Ericsson phones. The on-line service is available globally to all members of Sony Ericsson Developer World and provides support for pre-commercial mobile phones released by the company.

According to spokesman, “The Sony Ericsson Virtual Lab provides Java developers a means to faster, more cost-effectively develop, test, and monitor applications on real Sony Ericsson phones connected to live mobile networks 24/7 through an Internet browser. As a result, developers no longer need to invest in device labs or even be physically present on an operator’s network. Based on the results of 2,100 respondents in a global developer benchmark survey, Recom Research (a UK-based market research firm) in March 2007 reported that irrespective of the developer program they’re a member of, developers in general request better access to devices (cheaper loans) for testing purposes.

It seems like Microsoft needs to work harder to become a dominant player in Mobile OS market in the future.