High Wycombe developer Sonaptic is working with Vodafone, Sun Microsystems, Nokia and Ericsson to create a Java-based standard for 3D audio on mobile phones.

Java-enabled mobiles are rapidly emerging as an important platform for new types of multimedia services based around the J2ME Java applications suite. An applications programming interface (API), called JSR-234 for mobile video and audio, has been proposed by Sun.

"We are very privileged to have participated in the development of the audio portions of this breakthrough API alongside mobile industry leaders Nokia and Ericsson," said David Monteith, Sonaptic's MD and co-founder.

The intention is to have a standardised Java API supporting applications including camera, tuner, image manipulation, and the 3D positional audio and music capabilities.

3D positional audio technology should create multiple sound channels positioned and moving dynamically around the user through headsets or speakers built into the device.

Sonaptic's 3D Audio Engine supports the 3D audio and music capabilities defined in the JSR-234 API.

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