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November 25th, 2008

Move over, Ajax. Here comes Microsoft's 'Kojax'

Posted by Mary Jo Foley @ 11:13 am

Categories: Advertising, Apple, Code names, Corporate strategy, Development tools, Web 2.0, Windows Live, Windows Mobile

Tags: Mobile, Microsoft Corp., Applet, Kojax, Advertising & Promotion, AJAX, Marketing, Internet, Software/Web Development, Web Development

Let me start out by saying I don’t know whether Microsoft will finally decide to sell a Microsoft-branded Windows Mobile phone. (Company officials have gone back and forth over that idea for more than a year.) But I do know that the Softies have some other interesting phone-related developments in the works.

I’m not talking about Windows Mobile 6.5 or 7.0 (or even Pink or Rouge). Instead, the latest Microsoft mobile-related development about which I’m most intrigued is codenamed “Kojax.”

Kojax is a mobile development platform, according to my sources, that will allow Microsoft- — and third-party-developed — applets run in an Ajax-like way, using a combination of Visual Studio tools and JavaScript, on Java-based mobile phones.

(Ajax, according to a somewhat layperson-like definition on Wikipedia, is a set of programming techniques and technologies for building Web apps and/or rich Internet apps.)

What kinds of mobile applets are we talking about here? Nothing iPhone-like, such as restaurant reviews or “I am Rich.” More like a virtual wallet for online payments, a group messaging service and photo-sharing app — things that build on top of Windows Live for Mobile services. Some of these Kojax-based applets will ad-funded; others will likely be transaction- and subscription-based.

Another interesting part of the Kojax tips I’ve received: Microsoft allegedly is aiming its Kojax applet plans primarily at users in emerging markets.

The Kojax work may or may not be related to a recent Unlimited Potential initiative about which I recently heard, known as “Mobile First.” Mobile First is all about users whose first Microsoft-related experience tends to be in the mobile-phone, rather than the PC, realm. (Given Microsoft’s recent acknowledgment that China Mobile will offer the first handsets running Internet Explorer 6, it’s not far-fetched to see how/why Microsoft is putting so much emphasis on emerging-market customers.)

I haven’t been able to glean much more about Kojax and Microsoft’s mobile applet plans. So before you ask, I don’t know what stage Kojax is at: It could be anything from a glimmer in a Microsoft development team’s eye, or something in private beta. I’ve asked Microsoft for comment, but am not holding my breath.

Update: Microsoft’s comment, delivered via a spokesperson: “We have no comment. Microsoft does not comment on rumors and speculation.”

In the meantime, anyone else out there know more about Kojax?

Mary Jo FoleyMary Jo has covered the tech industry for more than 20 years. Don't miss a single post. Subscribe via Email or RSS. You can also follow Mary Jo on Twitter.

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Related Discussions on TechRepublic

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  • Talkback
  • Most Recent of 37 Talkback(s)
RE: Move over, Ajax. Here comes Microsoft's 'Kojax'
Windows set-up; servicing infrastructure and tools that are part of the Windows Automated Installation Kit (for corporate users) lingerie or OEM Pre-installation Kit for resellers); and network-based deployment.... (Read the rest)
Posted by: jack163 Posted on: 01/27/10 You are currently: a Guest | | Terms of Use
is that accurate?  Linux Geek | 11/25/08
It makes sense  NonZealot | 11/25/08
But C# is a nicer language although with an unfortunate OS lockin... nt  T1Oracle | 11/25/08
C#  davidr69 | 11/26/08
Microsoft-invtented 'technology'...  User07734 | 11/26/08
Microsoft "invented" the EULA  Ole Man | 11/27/08
java phones?  Mary Jo FoleyZDNet Moderator | 11/25/08
Power of .NET framework  Spats30 | 11/26/08
.NET is not portable  davidr69 | 11/26/08
You describe Java there..  vmaatta | 11/26/08
Microsoft already uses a lot of Java  MyBlueRex | 11/27/08
Silverlight Lite ?  francis.carden@... | 11/25/08
Or just more MS noise ...  fr0thy2 | 11/25/08
Nope, it's full silverlight for mobiles (nt)  MyBlueRex | 11/27/08
Some possible connections  odenni | 11/25/08
Kojax? Stars Telly Sevalas  ioot@... | 11/25/08
...  n0neXn0ne | 11/25/08
Windows CeMeNT  User07734 | 11/26/08
RE: Windows CeMeNT  kamicazi | 12/01/08
I hate speculation and think it's a waste of time, but here's my thoughts.  General C# | 11/26/08
"they wouldn't want to mess with their client application development frame  Ole Man | 11/27/08
'more revenue and control'  MyBlueRex | 11/27/08
which are people like you and I!!  Spacecase | 11/28/08
SilverLight  spitefulgod | 11/26/08
This is why Microsoft will never gain on the net  Randalllind | 11/26/08
Is there anything original that comes out of Redmond?  GoPower | 11/26/08
Yes!  Ole Man | 11/26/08
For CRYING OUT LOUD!!!  serpentmage | 11/27/08
huh?  MyBlueRex | 11/27/08
This has to be a joke.  CowLauncher | 11/27/08
What standards are you talking about? (NT)  logicearth@... | 12/01/08
Move over, Ajax...don't you mean bend over? (NT)  CowLauncher | 11/27/08
RE: Move over, Ajax. Here comes Microsoft's 'Kojax'  redbaron08 | 11/27/08
RE: Move over, Ajax. Here comes Microsoft's 'Kojax'  cKurtz | 11/29/08
RE: Move over, Ajax. Here comes Microsoft's 'Kojax'  atari8bit@... | 12/02/08
RE: Move over, Ajax. Here comes Microsoft's 'Kojax'  Jackie150 | 10/09/09
RE: Move over, Ajax. Here comes Microsoft's 'Kojax'  jack163 | 01/27/10

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