Smart Bits: Bull Demonstrates Odyssey Java System

Bull, the French computer company and smart card pioneer, began to unveil its Java Card plans at Sun Microsystems Inc.'s Java One conference this week.

Bull demonstrated Odyssey, which it announced last month. The system conforms to the Java Card 2.0 application programming interface, based on specifications of the Java Card Forum and on concepts developed by the European Multi-Application Secure Smart Card project.

Gerald Hubbard, vice president of marketing for Bull's smart card and terminals division in the United States, said the demonstration "is the first stage of Bull's ongoing work to develop a Java smart card platform."

Java Card supporter Citibank lent an endorsement. "We are pleased that Bull is taking an active role" in Java-based development, said Citibank vice president Henry Lichstein. "The availability of Odyssey confirms our confidence in the viability of Java Card's open platform to support industry efforts to develop multiple-application smart cards."

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