At the San Francisco-based event, executives from such companies as Sony Ericsson, Sun Microsystems, Orange, and Indaba Music noted the growth of app stores, which provide online resources for users to purchase applications.

"It's the year of the app store across the industry," said panel moderator Eric Klein, vice president of Java marketing at Sun, which itself unveiled a beta version of its for Java applications this week. Most of the panelists were from companies with app stores, he noted.

Companies like Apple with its App Store for the iPhone also are players.  Although these stores can provide applications for various types of systems, including desktops and cell phones, panelists mostly focused on the mobile space.

Java phone builder Sony Ericsson is expanding developer access to its own PlayNow arena store, announcing on Tuesday that applications will be offered on the platform. The store has offered products such as ring tones, music, and games. Developers can submit applications to beginning July 1.