The Instinct smartphone will gain a wide range of new software as the result of a contest for Java programmers, despite a behind-the-scenes dispute about standards compliance.

Co-developed with Samsung, the Instinct is positioned as Sprint's answer to the Apple iPhone, exclusively sold by rival AT&T in the United States. Unlike software for the iPhone, new programs for the Instinct do not require Sprint's certification.

To encourage new applications for the Instinct, Sprint will give $20,000 cash and a $5,000 membership in the Sprint Professional Developer Program to the maker of the best software, along with $5,000 cash prizes in 2 categories. Entries from U.S. residents 18 years and older will be accepted until Aug. 29; winners will be announced Oct. 10.

However, there's an unusual twist to programming in Java for the Instinct. Java language allows programs to be written once and run on any device without changes. But because touchscreen phones do not have the typical physical buttons expected by the Java Mobile Information Device Profile, Sprint added proprietary Java extensions called the Instinct Widget Library for features such as text entry. The extension works, but for any programs using text entry features, it means Java software not customized for the Instinct will not run properly, while Java software written specifically for the Instinct won't work on any other device - defeating the purpose of using Java.

The most common code for text entry is called LCDUI. The Instinct contains that code, making the phone technically Java-compliant, but it's not turned on. Certain Java programs have workarounds available for making their text entry work on the Instinct, but the underlying problem remains.

Sprint developer representative Nathan Smith replied in a discussion forum last week: "We do have LCDUI slated for a future [maintenance release] and again we did state that the timeframe is at least one month out. We can't share any more information than that." That will be an over-the-air update so customers' phones will automatically work, he wrote.

Sprint did not comment on why this code was not ready in time for the Instinct's launch last month, or why the maintenance release contents were only announced after developers began complaining. This is not a problem, but rather a "planned enhancement," Sprint spokeswoman Jennifer Walsh said.

If Sprint does not follow through with a timely fix, then Java authorities could get involved. The language is made by Sun Microsystems and a variety of external volunteers. There is a complicated certification process for Java in handsets, using what's called a Technology Compatibility Kit in addition to various options for quality assurance tests, said Sun's Mikhail Gorshenev, a senior staff engineer.

"The resolution may vary depending on the problem. Generally, the vendor is expected to either bring the device into compliance or stop shipping it. Obviously, if the device reached customers already, the bug cannot be instantly fixed. The vendor will have to work with Sun... to work out the plan," Gorshenev said.

Some developers say they like the Instinct hardware and they like Sprint's lack of a certification requirement, but what the phone really needs is a glamorous operating system like the Apple iPhone's version of Macintosh OS X.