SUN microsystems wants to develop mobile phones, which it says will be cheap enough to sell in third world markets.

Taking a leaf out of the computer industry, as it fights to create a cheap laptop, Sun wants to make a cheap phone based around its new Java FX Mobile software.

It is not planning to make the phone itself. Apparently it thinks that it will find partners who will take the idea and run with it. Executive Jonathan Schwartz said during a news conference that Java-powered mobile phones could be sold for $30 to $50 apiece.

Sun will make money by charging a small amount for the software, but making more on the compatible back-end equipment to phone companies. 

Sun has links to Motorola and Nokia.

More here.