Handset makers pledge support for JIL widget effort

Handset makers LG Electronics, Research In Motion, Samsung Electronics and Sharp Corporation have agreed to support the Joint Innovation Lab initiative's widget specification in future mobile devices. The JIL--an effort teaming operators Verizon Wireless, Vodafone, China Mobile and Softbank--promises to create a single global development platform to encourage the creation of mobile web widgets, enabling developers to build applications that can be rolled out to subscribers across all member companies' networks. Together, the four operators boast more than 1 billion subscribers worldwide. 

LG, RIM, Samsung and Sharp will support the JIL widget specs from Q1 2010 forward, heralding the first time major manufacturers have pledged their commitment to global adoption of the standard. JIL widgets are optimized for smartphones as well as mid- and low-cost handsets.

For more on the JIL initiative:
- read this release

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