Java is a well-known technology in the embedded world, as it enables devices with important features like remote upgrades and live content refresh. In addition to those final-user advantages, there are other pluses from the development point of view: Java is a freely available and platform-independent technology (same program can execute in different OS/hardware platforms). The result is that Java is spreading more and more in embedded devices.

In the IP-STB domain, Java is emerging as a key technology because, besides the previous characteristics, it is the basis for upcoming IPTV standards like MHP, OCAP and GEM that, in the near future, will be adopted by many IP-STB manufacturers.