Symbian Developer Network

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Java ME on Symbian OS

Comparing Native and Java ME Development on Symbian OS

This paper provides a general comparison of the two main technologies used for application development on Symbian OS at this time – Symbian C++ and Java ME. Since technologists are often polarized in their personal and professional opinions of these technologies, it is important to state that it is not the purpose of this paper to support either side of this debate. Rather, we argue that in a world of commercial realities, there are strong cases for using (and being proficient in) both.Read the paper (184 Kb)

Writing MIDP Games
(Sam Mason)

This paper discusses MIDP game development on Symbian smartphones. It describes a number of commonly used techniques for getting the most out of the MIDP libraries and the devices that they run on.Read the paperDownload the source code

Java Bluetooth Object Exchange
(Alan Newman)

Symbian OS v7.0s introduced support for Bluetooth in its JSR 82 implementation but limited this to the javax.bluetooth package, excluding the javax.obex package. This paper explains how Symbian OS Java developers can extend the functionality of Java MIDP applications developed for Symbian phones with the use of low level protocols to carry out object exchange (OBEX) between a Java MIDP application and another phone or indeed a PC.Download the PDFDownload the source code

Extending the Reach of MIDlets: how MIDlets can access native services

In this collaboration with independent software consultant Arvind Gupta we illustrate how a MIDlet can access native services on Symbian OS using socket communication over localhost. Download paper and associated resources (261 Kb)

Remote server communication and application delivery

In this final article in the “DemoVaders” series, Alan Newman looks at providing a network element to the application so that high scores can be sent to and retrieved from a remote server adding a community aspect to the application. Alan also looks at how the MIDlet would be delivered over-the-air to an end-user and outlines the Java Verified process, an application-testing framework that provides a unified testing standard across the industry. Read the paper (406 Kb) Download the DemoVaders Network (72 Kb)

Getting Started with MIDP Programming on Symbian OS

This paper is intended as a starting point for developers planning to undertake MIDP development on Symbian OS. The aim of the paper is to smoothe the way for developers migrating to MIDP by pointing them in the direction of essential resources available from Symbian Developer Network and other portals. Read the paper (153 Kb)

What Java™ developers need to know about MIDP on Symbian OS

This paper presents useful information for Java developers programming MIDP on Symbian OS, enabling them to write better applications, More quickly and exploit to the full the power of Java on Symbian OS. Read the paper (104 Kb)

Programming the MIDP Lifecycle on Symbian OS

Every MIDP application (MIDlet) should correctly handle the MIDlet lifecycle state changes. In this paper we give Symbian’s interpretation of the MIDP lifecycle and show how developers should correctly manage lifecycle changes when programming MIDP on Symbian OS. Read the paper (202 Kb)

Game development across the MIDP versions

Although MIDP 2.0 launched on Symbian OS phones at the end of 2003, many consumers still own phones that only support the earlier MIDP 1.0 version. This provides the developer with the dilemma of deciding which version of MIDP they should create content for. The answer is, of course, both. The developer may, however, find it More of a hardship to develop for MIDP 1.0, having become familiar with the new APIs present in MIDP 2.0. The Game API is a prime example of this, and Alan Newman checks out how the features of the MIDP 2.0 Game API might be implemented in a MIDP 1.0 application, allowing developers to target the largest possible customer base. Read the paper (45 0Kb) Download the MIDP 1.0 version (56 Kb) Download the MIDP 2.0 version (48 Kb)

Creating MIDlets for multiple UIs

Alan Newman examines how best to develop a Java MIDP application for the UIQ and Series 60 platforms. He demonstrates the benefits of separating the user interface from the core application logic by implementing a generic application and then porting it to two Symbian OS phones: the Sony Ericsson P900 and the Nokia 6600. Read the paper (393 Kb) Download the application (43 Kb)

What's new for Java developers in Symbian OS v8.0?

The release of Symbian OS, Version 8.0 was announced at 3GSM in February 2004. This release brings significant new additions to the Java platform. In this paper we briefly discuss the new Java functionality added in Symbian OS v8.0 and show how this combines with the existing APIs to give developers a particularly rich J2ME implementation to target. Read the paper (156 Kb)

Java MIDP development tools

Freelance author and Java developer Alan Newman reviews some of the tools available to developers creating Java MIDP 2.0 applications for Symbian OS phones. The intention is not to provide conclusive and exhaustive review of all available tools, but instead show developers a broad offering and provide a taste of how these tools can be used. Read the paper (1.5 Mb)

An introduction to programming the Java APIs for Bluetooth® Wireless Technology on Symbian OS

In this paper we provide an introduction to programming the Java APIs for Bluetooth® Wireless Technology (JABWT). JABWT is an optional J2ME package that has been part of Symbian's Java Platform since Symbian OS v7.0s. Read the paper (341 Kb)

Working with the Wireless Messaging API

The Wireless Messaging API (WMA) is an optional J2ME API that is part of Symbian's Java implementation on Symbian OS v7.0s.
In this paper we discuss using the WMA to send and receive SMS messages. We then go on to show how to use the Push Registry API of MIDP 2.0 in conjunction with the WMA to launch a MIDlet in response to an incoming SMS. Read the paper (137 Kb)

Video Player

A simple video player MIDlet illustrating the use of the Mobile Media API (JSR 135) to play remote video content over http. Read the paper (175 Kb) Download the application (16 Kb)

What's the difference? The PersonalJava and MIDP Java profiles

(Alan Newman)

This article provides a background to these Java environments and demonstrates the differences between them when implemented on mobile phones. In some cases both profiles exist on mobile phones at the same time, so there can be a dilemma over which environment to create applications for. Read this article to make an informed decision when deciding which profile to use. Read the paper (53 Kb)

Working with the Mobile Media API (JSR 135) - Part 1

This paper is the first of two papers covering the features offered by the Mobile Media API. In this paper we will provide an overview of the Mobile Media API and its architecture. We will then illustrate some of concepts introduced, as well as exploring in More detail the support offered for video playback, by means of a detailed study of a simple video player MIDlet. Read the paper in English (175 Kb)Read the paper in Russian (175 Kb)

Working with the Mobile Media API (JSR 135) - Part 2

This paper is the second in a two-part series devoted to programming the Mobile Media API (JSR 135). In this paper we continue our exploration of the API, covering support for audio playback, illustrated by means of a simple audio player MIDlet, as well as photo capture and tone generation. Read the paper (161 Kb) Download the audio player MIDlet (20 Kb)

 

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