Mobile and Embedded Community

Features

This technical article describes how Java Card 3.0 technology allows developers to create and deploy servlet applications on smart card devices.

(Jan 6, 2010)

Java Mobile Podcast 92: MIDP 3.0 In Depth: Tutorials and Demonstrations

Excerpts from the JavaOne 2009 MIDP 3.0 In Depth: Tutorials and Demonstrations session with Roger Riggs, Lakshmi Dontamsetti and Stan Kao.

(Dec 18, 2009)

12/18: Update on java.net

Restoring java.net has proved more involved than anticipated. Many parts of the Java Mobile & Embedded Community are back online again, including the front page, blogs, and top-level content pages (changes of the last two days still need to be reposted due to the delta with the backup).

However, wikis and forums are still unavailable and in the process of being restored.

Projects remain accessible via <projectname>.dev.java.net.

(Dec 18, 2009)

First Robotics Competition: Java prerelease now available

For the 2010 FRC competition Java Technology will be offered as an option for teams to use in developing their robot programs. Java for FRC is being made available as a prerelease to all FRC teams as an opportunity to learn more about the language and the tools that will be available.

Using this software you can create sample programs using your existing 2009 software, robot and controller. Many of the beta teams doing early testing have successfully ported their 2009 robot code to Java.

(Dec 8, 2009)

Final Release: JavaFX Mobile 1.2 for Window Mobile

JavaFX Mobile 1.2 for Windows Mobile was released as Early Access in July. Since they, our team has been busy polishing the code, fixing bugs, and implementing some major performance improvements. Yesterday, the final release hit javafx.com.

(Dec 8, 2009)

Building A Project On The BlackBerry

While Thorsten & myself wrote build instructions for the BlackBerry in the forum/mailing list in the past they are somewhat outdated by now and aren't as easy to find using Google. So here is a step by step guide on porting to the BlackBerry devices with some explanations of the Caveats ...

(Dec 8, 2009)

Android’s Rapid Growth Has Some Developers Worried

A year after its release, Google’s open source Android operating system has become a sensation. After a slow start, it is now available on at least 12 phones, with more devices waiting in the wings.

Good news for Android fans, right? Not really, say some developers. A slew of problems have made managing Android apps a “nightmare,” they say, including three versions of the OS (Android 1.5, 1.6 and 2.0), custom firmware on many phones, and hardware differences between different models.

(Dec 2, 2009)

App developers struggle to profit from Android

Software developers writing applications for Google Android are struggling to turn a profit from the mobile operating system.

New research published on Tuesday by positioning system firm Skyhook Wireless found that 57% of mobile application developers were not satisfied with their profits from Android. Only 4% of the respondents reported being very satisfied.

"Rather than creating opportunity, platform divergence has just created further problems; we simply can't afford to test across all Android phones," said Android app maker James Grafton, in a statement.

(Dec 2, 2009)

Criticism as a measure of strength?

Just on my first day of playing with Eclipse I stumble upon Mike Milinkovich’s blog entry in which he seems to loose patience with a persistent criticizer of the Eclipse community.

I feel that I received much more explicit, ehhh, feedback when I ran the Java Community Process than Bjorn’s writings on his blog. But it seems there’s more history between the two gentlemen than just the exchanges between their two blogs and their comments. If nothing else Bjorn’s tag line for his blog is a hint. I admire Mike for speaking from the heart in his blog entry. During my JCP days there were certainly one or two times that I wanted to say to some to go away.

(Dec 2, 2009)

Community Leadership Summit (CLS) West - January 09, 2010

I truly believe there is the potential for some real synergies where the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. This is why I enthusiastically participated in the first ever Community Leadership Summit this past summer. It is also why I have taken the lead in organizing the West Coast Community Leadership Summit (CLS West) coming up on January 9th, 2010. It will be a one day unconference for community leaders/managers/evangelists at DeVry University in Daly City. The event will be free, but, we are asking people to register in advance ...

(Dec 2, 2009)

HipLogic Raises $7 Million To Bring Apps To Feature Phones

HipLogic, a Fremont, Calif.-based startup that is trying to bring the app-like experience to mass phone market, has raised $7 million in a second round of funding. Bay Partners led the round, and new investor Accrue Sports and Entertainment Ventures participated, along with existing investors Benchmark Capital and Stage 1 Ventures.

The company, formerly known as Numobiq, raised $4.5 million back in Feb. 2008. Since then, the company has been able to get its platform up and running on a number of smartphones and feature phones, it said, and is currently deploying it via Carphone Warehouse in Europe. The round will go towards further development.

(Dec 2, 2009)

Clearwire's WiMax Expands in Four More States

Having opened 10 more markets across four states, WiMax broadband provider Clearwire is now operating in 27 U.S. markets covering more than 30 million people.

Clearwire said Dec. 2 its WiMax service is now available in 10 more markets across four states. The 4G broadband network is now available in 27 markets across the United States covering over 30 million people.

(Dec 1, 2009)

On touchscreens, Swype slides toward mass market

With more and more phones sporting touchscreen displays, startup Swype is looking to fundamentally shift how users input text on phones that don't have physical keyboards. The company's technology, which is on the Samsung Omnia II through Verizon Wireless, allows users to type text on virtual keyboards by tracing letters they want without lifting their finger off of the keyboard. The company wants to take the technology to the mass market.

(Dec 1, 2009)

Oracle Applications Users Group Supports Acquisition of Sun

In a letter to the EC, OAUG President Raymond Payne wrote that Oracle's acquisition of Sun would simplify the integration process associated with merging several technologies, supporting all activities, from hardware to the operating system to middleware to the applications and the database. People continue to line up on both sides of the Oracle/Sun Microsystems-versus-European Commission dispute about the future of MySQL

(Dec 1, 2009)

Nokia Delivers Qt 4.6

Oslo, 1 December 2009 – Nokia today released Qt 4.6, the latest version of the cross-platform application and UI framework. Featuring new platform support, powerful new graphical capabilities and support for multi-touch and gestures, Qt 4.6 makes developing advanced applications and devices easier and more enjoyable.

(Dec 1, 2009)

Java Mobile Podcast 91: MIDP 3.0

Excerpts from the JavaOne 2009 MIDP 3.0 session with Angus Huang, Roger Riggs, and Paul Su.

(Nov 25, 2009)

Check out Java Card 3.0 Connected Edition: Real Java, just really flat ;-)

Java Card 3.0 was released a couple of months ago – and the second update (version 3.0.2) is scheduled for December. If you haven’t paid much attention to Java on smart cards because you thought it’s not “real” Java – well, look again.

The Java Card 3 Connected Edition contains a new architecture that enables developers to integrate smart cards within IP networks and web services architectures. It supports extended Java Card applets and servlets to allow for these new capabilities in addition to also supporting classic Java Card applets. Check out some of the highlights ...

(Nov 19, 2009)

JT Harness 4.2.1 Milestone Release

The JT Harness 4.2.1 milestone release contains a large number of bug fixes, including fixes in the following areas:

Fixed update problems in the test tree
Cleaned up potential NPEs and other exceptions
Test Panel now displays test output streams during test run
"Quick Pick" execution from test tree now includes a preference to control usage of the Tests to Run configuration setting
Fixed memory leaks
Added service management API
Fixed handling of special characters in test result data
Refined internal handling of template and configuration objects

JT Harness 4.2.1 is compatible with JT Harness 4.1. For more information, see the release notes on the download page.

(Nov 17, 2009)

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Java Roadmaps presented at Symbian Exchange

I participated Symbian Exchange in London last week. We had a small Birds of Feather session there about Runtimes on Symbian. For that I prepared a small roadmap presentation giving out information of what new features our future Java Runtime releases will contain for developers. It's a roadmap and work in progress so any changes should be expected.

(Nov 17, 2009)

Check it out: Project MaiTai – Interactive Artwork

Slightly off-topic, but very cool: Josh Marinacci just announced the first public version of Project MaiTai.

Josh describes MaiTai this way:

MaiTai is an open source tool for building interactive artwork. You create interesting sketches by wiring different blocks together with lines. There are blocks to produce graphics, process mouse and keyboard inputs, connect to webservices, and perform complex graphical transformations. The end result is limited only by your imagination.

(Nov 16, 2009)

Samsung announces Linux smartphone OS

Google's Android is set to receive some competition with the news that Samsung is launching its own Linux-based smartphone platform dubbed "bada."

(Nov 16, 2009)

Making the classic Web and intranet obsolete?

There’s been an important and relatively sudden change taking place over the last couple of years in the way that we interact with the Web. While direct access or search activity has been (and still is) the most common way that we access the content and applications of the Web, new ways have been rapidly growing and competing with how we work online, both at home and at work.

(Nov 16, 2009)

A CNET Conversation with Eric Schmidt

CNET's Tom Krazit and Molly Wood sit down with Google CEO Eric Schmidt to discuss the future of Android, the Chrome OS, the problem of real-time search indexing, and more.

(Nov 12, 2009)

Ten-hut! That's right, soldier. Snap to w/snaptu on Java ME tech

Snaptu is a free Java ME technology-enabled mobile app that offers a selection of interfaces into different popular services, like Twitter, Facebook, and, and, uhhh... did I say Twitter already? How about Facebook? Well, are there any other services other than Twitter and Facebook?

(Nov 12, 2009)

Dell unveils Android-based Mini 3 smartphone

The first carriers for the Android-based phone will be China Mobile and Brazil's Claro. Details on the devices? Those will come later.

(Nov 13, 2009)

Microlog V2.2.0 is available for download

Microlog is a small, yet powerful logging library for mobile devices based on the Log4j API. Supports Java ME (J2ME) and Android. Logs to device, to PC or to servers online. Used in all phases from development on emulator/device to outdoor field-testing.

(Nov 11, 2009)

Instant (Bad) Karma - Symbian's OS efforts

Rich Sands looks at recent comments by Lee Williams, Symbian’s executive director in an October 23 interview with Om Malik of GigaOM and it's negative impact on Symbian.

(Nov 11, 2009)

Focus on Java Mobility - Addressing Java ME-specific matters

For several months now a subset of the JCP's Executive Committees has been meeting as the Java ME Working Group to address Java ME-specific matters. In this column Patrick Curren focuses on Java ME and on some of the issues that the Working Group has been discussing.

(Nov 11, 2009)

OREDEV Wrap-Up (& looking forward to next year!)

Just returned from ØREDEV last Friday. Again, a great conference!

Not only was it extremely well organized but I also really liked the size of it (800 attendees – not too big, not too small), the location (an old car factory!), the wide range of topics, insightful speakers, and last, but not least, the friendly atmosphere.

Among the noteworthy topics I got a chance to learn about last week ...

(Nov 9, 2009)

Symbian Executive Rips Into Google’s Android

Last week, Lee Williams, executive director at Symbian, stopped by our office to brief me on a new version of the operating system that is going to be released soon. Toward the end of the video chat, Williams shared his unfiltered views of Google’s Android, including the unease it is causing with handset makers and carriers. “Android is building a perfect storm of fragmentation,” he said. “I don’t view Apple as evil, just greedy. Google…come on.” Watch the video ...

(Nov 9, 2009)

JavaFX: Really Challenging

Have you see the monthly challenges over at JFXStudio ?

(Oct 29, 2009)

What's in store for Java ME tech? A Java Store

Here's a story from The Register about the Java Store. There's some good questions raised and interesting guessing by the reporter. The important part is that there will be an alternative to the Apple App Store. Thank G*d!

(Oct 28, 2009)

Google releases Android 2.0 SDK

Google's Eclair update for Android offers a host of changes including multitouch support.

(Oct 27, 2009)

Defense Department issues new open-source guidance

The U.S. Department of Defense has issued new guidance on open-source adoption designed to remove any roadblocks to its uptake.

(Oct 27, 2009)

Verizon Wireless and Motorola introduce Droid: Check out pictures and specs

Verizon Wireless and Motorola announced they will begin selling the Andoird-based "Droid" phone starting Nov. 6 for $199.99 with a two-year contract and after a $100 mail-in rebate.

Click here for pictures and specs

(Oct 28, 2009)

Java Store in final stages before open

The Java Store team here at Sun is in the final stage of readying things to fling open the doors to shoppers in the next week or so

(Oct 28, 2009)

Voting in the 2009 JCP Executive Committee Election Ends Soon

The current JCP Executive Committee Election ends at midnight Pacific Standard Time (PST, GMT-8) on Monday, November 2. JCP members can vote by visiting the eballot site. The current election includes the Standard/Enterprise (SE/EE) Executive Committee and the Micro Edition (ME) Executive Committee. In each case, both ratified and elected seats are on the ballot.

(Oct 29, 2009)

iPhone 'Not A Panacea' For European Carriers

Now that UK wireless carrier O2 has lost its exclusive contract to carry the iPhone, it looks like nearly all of the British networks, may end up offering the device. The Guardian.co.uk reports that Britain’s Orange is expected to begin selling the iPhone on November 10, a day after O2’s 2-year contract ends. Last week, Kevin Russell, CEO of the country’s smallest network 3, said he expects to sell the iPhone sometime in 2010, while Vodafone (NYSE: VOD) UK, will sell the device starting next year.

(Oct 26, 2009)

White House Site Goes Open Source

Obama administration drops proprietary software driving WhiteHouse.gov for the Drupal open source content management platform.

(Oct 26, 2009)

R.I.P., open-source evangelism

Now that open source has gone mainstream, we no longer need to sell its raison d'etre, but rather how best to leverage it for business benefit.

(Oct 27, 2009)

Verizon has iPhone envy

Verizon's CEO says he'd be happy to have the iPhone, but he isn't banking on just one device to bring home the bacon.

(Oct 26, 2009)

Powerful Logging in Java ME

Johan Karlsson, the co-founder and member of several open source projects for Java ME, explains how to add logging to your MIDlets using the Microlog open-source logging library in this Java.sun.com technical article.

(Oct 29, 2009)

Just released: Java ME SDK 3.0 for Mac OS

It’s been a long time in the making … but it’s finally here. Native Java ME development is coming to Mac OS X!

Ready for download now. Check it out and let us know what you think!

(Oct 23, 2009)

MIDP 3.0 Features: Inter-MIDlet Communication and Events

This article introduces two major enhancements in the Mobile Information Device Profile (MIDP) 3.0 specification, which is currently in Final Draft stage. The two capabilities that will be the foundation of next-generation mobile applications are Inter-MIDlet Communication and Events.

(Oct 28, 2009)

Sun, Oracle save Microsoft's Pink after Danger data disaster

Microsoft has announced the restoration of Sidekick users' contacts as the first milestone in recovering data it lost in the cloud computing disaster affecting its Danger subsidiary, while a new source explains why the restoration was possible without a backup and why it is taking so long.

Somewhat ironically, Microsoft's capacity to recover most of its Sidekick users' data is entirely due to the availability of Sun and Oracle experts and the inherent resilience of those company's products to disasters of any kind, even in cases where customers do not maintain proper backups of their data.

(Oct 22, 2009)

MySQL discussion heating up

After the open letter by former MySQL CEO Mårten Mickos a few days ago additional groups are now throwing their hat in the ring. Richard Stallman, together with Knowledge Ecology International and the Open Rights Group published an open letter of their own asking the EU to block the acquisition of MySQL by Oracle.

(Oct 22, 2009)

Symbian Foundation Forges Ahead with Open Source OS Plans

The Symbian Foundation has announced that it is well on its way toward the goal of open-sourcing the Symbian OS by reaching the release of the platform micro kernel and supporting development kit under the Eclipse Public License (EPL).

(Oct 21, 2009)

RIM releases new BlackBerry Bold for AT&T, T-Mobile

Research In Motion introduced a new version of its BlackBerry Bold smartphone, less than a week after announcing a successor to its Storm phone. The actions come as RIM and its rivals gear up for the critical fourth-quarter holiday shopping season.

The new Bold phone, called the BlackBerry Bold 9700, will be available through AT&T Mobility and T-Mobile USA, among other carriers around the world. The upgrade replaces the original Bold's trackball with an optical track pad and also has a faster browser and a slimmer and lighter profile than the original. The device is meant to appeal to enterprise users and serve as a high-end smartphone for consumers.

(Oct 21, 2009)

Google, Verizon Wireless find common ground on Net neutrality

A week after announcing a partnership to collaborate on Android handsets, they issue a joint statement regarding the FCC's consideration of Net neutrality rules.

(Oct 21, 2009)

Java Mobile Podcast 90: Augmented Reality

Excerpts from the JavaOne 2009 Augmented Reality session with Kenneth Andersson and Erik Hellman of Sony Ericsson.

(Oct 21, 2009)

Mixins in JavaFX 1.2 Technology

With the release of version 1.2 of JavaFX technology, developers have a new style of class inheritance: a mixin. A mixin is a type of class that can be inherited by a subclass, but it is not meant for instantiation. In this manner, mixins are similar to interfaces in the Java programming language. However, the difference is that mixins may actually define method bodies and class variables in addition to constants and method signatures. Learn about the "mixin class," a new feature in JavaFX 1.2 that offers programmers a simplified form of multiple inheritance.

(Oct 5, 2010)

Java Mobile Podcast 89: David Lefty Schlesinger on Open Source

David "Lefty" Schlesinger, Director of Open Source Technlogies at Access, shares his views on open source with Terrence Barr.

(Oct 14, 2009)

Good review of Java ME CDC-based cell phone, who needs iPhone!

Here's a good review on YouTube of the Samsung Instinct HD SPH-M850 cell phone from Sprint, which happens to have been a project I worked on here at Sun Microsystems, Inc., helping to put Java ME CDC technology on it. It's nice to see techies (like those at CNET) like the stuff you work on. :-)

(Oct 13, 2009)

Mickos (ex-MySQL CEO) letter to EU: Approve Oracle-Sun deal

A few days ago the former MySQL CEO Mårten Mickos sent an open letter to Neelie Kroes, the European Union’s competition commissioner, urging that the Sun-Oracle deal be approved.

(Oct 13, 2009)

T-Mobile, Microsoft Say Sidekick Data May Be Recoverable, But Sales Suspended

T-Mobile and Microsoft are attempting damage control after a server outage at Microsoft subsidiary Danger, Inc. wiped out personal data for roughly 800,000 users of T-Mobiles Sidekick smartphone. T-Mobile is now saying that some data may be recoverable, but the failure highlights doubts among some users about the viability of storing personal information in the cloud. T-Mobile and Microsoft continued operating in full damage-control mode after a weekend server disruption wiped personal data from nearly 800,000 users Sidekick smartphones.

(Oct 13, 2009)

Java Mobile Day at W-JAX’09, Nov 12 2009

Just wanted to send out a quick note for the German-speaking Java developers. W-JAX'09 will happen November 9 through 13 in Munich, Germany. Kay Glahn (Vodafone, MSA-248 spec lead) put together a nice program for Java Mobile Day on the 12th. Check it out!

Cheers,

-- Terrence

(Oct 13, 2009)

Join me at the Mobile 2.0 Conference this week

I'm in the San Francisco Bay Area this week for the Mobile 2.0 Conference (Thu, 10/15 and Fri, 10/16). Mobile 2.0 is a grass-roots conference that brings together experts and thought leaders from around the mobile ecosystem. It focuses on new mobile applications and services, mobile ecosystem issues, and disruptive mobile innovation.

(Oct 12, 2009)

IMPORTANT: Scheduled java.net Outage on Mon, Oct 12, 3pm to 5pm PDT

This outage is to swap the site to a duplicate server (T5140) as the current server is experiencing failures in one of the CPUs.

(Oct 8, 2009)

Android vs Maemo

Technically, both Maemo and Android run on Linux kernels. However, Maemo is a full Linux distro, based on Debian, while Android is a sole kernel with a few programs on top of it (namely, Dalvik virtual machine and Sqlite database). On Android all applications run within Dalvik virtual machine. I tried to analyze the benefits of each platform from the perspective of a software developer, as well as platforms' current "strategic position".

(Oct 7, 2009)

Amazon goes global with new Kindle

Online retail giant introduces a new version of its e-book reader that can wirelessly download books in the United States and more than 100 countries.

(Oct 6, 2009)

Nokia N900 / Maemo 5 preview

Ever since I started using Nokia Internet Tablets (the 770, N800, N810), my biggest dream has always been the addition of GSM radio and packet data transmission, which would make them fully functional, always connected mobile devices, rather than just "tablets", relying on access to WiFi hotspot or requiring the use of mobile phone for remote Internet access and for phone calls. I've loved the flexibility and performance of the Linux (Debian) based Maemo operating system and, especially, the Hildon user interface, providing PDA (or even computer) like experience rather than dumb smartphone UI. I missed such an advanced PDA-phone since the Series 80 platform was killed and the N900 seems to be my dream finally come true. Is it?

(Oct 7, 2009)

AT&T flip-flops, allows VoIP apps on iPhone

AT&T Mobility has changed its stance, and is now going to allow VoIP applications for Apple's iPhone to run over its 3G network. The carrier said that it had informed both Apple and the FCC of its decision.

The change in policy means that users of VoIP applications on the iPhone, such as Skype, will no longer be relegated to using the device's WiFi connection for VoIP calling. It is also a significant turnaround for AT&T, which said earlier this year that allowing VoIP apps on the iPhone to run over its 3G network could cripple the network. Indeed, AT&T has openly discussed the strain iPhone usage in general has placed on its network.

(Oct 6, 2009)

REVIEW: Windows Mobile 6.5 Improvements Leave Much to Be Desired

eWEEK Labs tested Microsoft's new Windows Mobile 6.5 operating system on the AT T Pure device and found that while Version 6.5 is definitely an improvement over previous iterations of Windows Mobile, it has too many vestiges of the past.
- My experience with Windows Mobile dates back about a decade, when I purchased my first Windows CE device a PDA, not a phone. Since then, Microsoft has evolved the Windows CE operating system into what would become Windows Mobile in its various versions.

(Oct 7, 2009)

Interesting JavaFX discussions on JavaRanch in the Big Moose Saloon

If you're interested in JavaFX developer topics and Q&A then amble over to the Big Moose Saloon and check out the JavaFX forum on JavaRanch.

(Oct 6, 2009)

Amazon launches mobile payment service

Amazon is offering mobile developers a new way to sell their wares. Their new mobile payment service means anyone with an Amazon account can make over-the-air purchases.

(Oct 5, 2009)

Welcome Our New Community Star: Johan Karlsson

Please welcome our new Community Star: Johan Karlsson. Among other things, Johan has been busy answering questions on various Mobile & Embedded forums, writing articles for the Sun Developer Network (SDN), and is a co-founder of the open source Microlog project.

(Oct 1, 2009)

App Bonanza or Analyst Bonanza?

In the last two days, two forecasts informed us about the value of the mobile app market in – convenient as ever – the distant future that is 2013. US analyst firm Yankee Group predicts the US app mobile market to be worth $4.2bn by then. Today, British analyst Wireless Expertise (run by former Netsize exec Anuj Kanna) topped this easily by predicting the (global) app market size to be $16.6bn by that time (free copy of the report here).

I can hear your moans…

(Oct 1, 2009)

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Java Mobility Podcast 88: Robert Virkus of Enough Software

A conversation with Robert Virkus of Enough Software about J2MEPolish and the "Mobile Deverloper's Guide to the Galaxy".

(Oct 1, 2009)

Kicking off the new Silicon Valley JavaFX User's Group

This is a community forum for developers in the San Francisco Bay Area to learn, discuss, and extend the JavaFX platform. We meet monthly in person with presentations on JavaFX tutorials, topics, and bleeding edge news. Our meetings are always free to attend or watch online.

(Sep 29, 2009)

Matt Asay: Open source is a platform, not a product

Open source has become a critical component of virtually all software and will continue to be such.

(Sep 28, 2009)

java.net CMS - Planned Outage Wednesday September 30th, 7pm PDT

This is to announce a Planned Outage to the CMS layer of java.net including the java.net homepage, the
Community homepages and other CMS content areas, as well Jive Forums and Twiki wikis.

Date/Time: Wednesday September 30th, 7pm
Duration: Approximately 2 hours

Please plan your work on the java.net site accordingly and excuse the interruption as we work to improve
site performance.

(Sep 29, 2009)

Loans, loans and loans...

It was a Sunday morning when finally I decided to organize some books that had been scattered in cartons for a long time. I wanted to put them on the bookshelf, when I saw three books that were not mine. I was surprised! Those books brought back memories when I was a boy in high school. I was remembering that I had borrowed those books a long time ago and never returned to their owner. Sure, the owner of the books forgot about loaning them to me. Can you imagine a book loaned for over 10 years?

(Sep 24, 2009)

The Google App Market - An Analysis

This article is about App Stores/Markets. It is a personal view on the Google App Market and thus it is totally unscientific. It focuses on Google App Market but it applies to all app stores. In this article “App Market” and “App Store” are used interchangeably and refer to the application catalog on the Web that allows for the discovery, payment and download of mobile applications.

(Sep 24, 2009)

Over the Air, London, 9/25 & 9/26

On Thursday I head up to London for the Over the Air event. I'll do two talks on Saturday on LWUIT and JavaFX Mobile. Check out the draft schedule. Plenty of interesting topics - I attended Over the Air last year and it was a fun, down-to-earth developer event. I'm looking forward to it. Maybe I'll see you there?

(Sep 22, 2009)

FCC Lays Out Blueprint For The Open Internet

As expected, the FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski outlined’s the agency’s plans this morning for new rules that will prevent telecom companies from discriminating what kind of traffic or applications run over wired or wireless networks.

(Sep 21, 2009)

Leading iPhone developers back to Java ME

Here's yet another article about how the RealNetworks RealGames division is using their EMERGE platform and their new Federation of Studios (FoS) to lure all those disgruntled iPhone developers back to the Motherland: Java ME technology.

(Sep 21, 2009)

On App Stores (Guest Post by Kiran Mudiam)

Here is my take after reading all the letters sent to the FCC.

We all know that there are positives and negatives to open and closed App Stores. And not everyone is happy with both models. For example, too open, such as the Android platform, we find lots of spam and light-p0rn. On the other side, too close, we have the Apple police, which results of lots of missing apps ...

(Sep 21, 2009)

LWUIT Finally On java.sun.com

LWUIT is now finally featured among other prominent Java ME technologies in its own page on java.sun.com. Its been a great ride taking LWUIT from a small project that Chen started on the side and seeing it materialize.

(Sep 19, 2009)

Don't buy this Java ME tech-enabled cell phone: LG 150

There are rare times that I will actually tell you NOT to buy a Java ME tech-enabled cell phone. Here's one such case. It turns out the LG 150 does have Java ME technology (yay! :-)), but also exceeds the U.S. and Canadian government safety limits for radiation emission!!! Ahhhh!!! 38-O

(Sep 15, 2009)

Java ME Watch

...Java ME too has plenty to say.

(Sep 17, 2009)

Reminder: Next Carnival of the Mobilists - Submit your Entries!

First, let me acknowledge the last 3 Carnival of the Mobilists: Carnival #189 (Peggy Anne Salz at MSearch Groove), Carnival #190 (Caroline Lewko at WIP JAM) and Carnival # 191 (Phil Barrett at BurningTheBacon.com) for hosting great editions of the Carnival, and for including my entries; I was very happy to see my entry selected at Carnival # 190 as post of the week …

(Sep 18, 2009)

Google vs. Apple: Who's telling the truth?

The discrepancy between claims by the two companies over Google Voice app for the iPhone is turning into a classic he said, she said conundrum.

(Sep 18, 2009)

Poll Result: Java Is Most Preeminent in Europe

Some voters in this past week's java.net poll questioned whether the question could be answered, but the result showed that a plurality of voters considered Europe to be region where Java has the greatest market share among competing technologies.

(Sep 17, 2009)

Carnival of the Mobilists #192

Another week, another Carnival of the Mobilists. It is my pleasure to host once again the Carnival, this time #192!

This week we have great entries on topics that include Opera Mini, Mobile Learning, App Stores, HD voice and Mobile music. So let’s begin…

(Sep 21, 2009)

Java Mobile Podcast 87: Tranqueira project used LWUIT

Eloi Junior from Brazil has just opened the Tranqueira project and shares his experience in using LWUIT.

(Sep 16, 2009)

Release of ME Framework 1.2.2

We are happy to announce the release of ME Framework 1.2.2.

This release went through an extensive QA cycle and is ready to be used for test suite development. The 1.2.2 release includes the following new features and improvements:

Support for JavaTest/JTHarness version 4.x
New functionality that enables you to execute distributed test in CLDC mode
Fixes for a number of important bugs

Please find all the details on the ME Framework home page.

(Sep 11, 2009)

Larry Ellison: “We’re in it to win it”

I can’t comment on the Oracle-Sun acquisition but I’d like to direct your attention to the first-page ad in todays Wall Street Journal. I don’t think anyone should be doubting Oracles commitment. Personally, I’m looking forward to what’s to come.

(Sep 10, 2009)

Amino Communications selects the JavaFX TV Platform for the IPTV Content Community

Sun Microsystems, Inc. (NASDAQ: JAVA) today announced Amino Communications, the world's leading independent IPTV specialists, plans to offer the JavaFX TV platform in their next generation IPTV set-top boxes (STBs) to help enable the creation of rich and expressive interactive content by global content authors. Content developers and authors can become part of this community by visiting javafx.com for more information, samples, and the JavaFX SDK.

(Sep 10, 2009)

Palm unveils new Pixi smartphone

Hoping to capitalize on the popularity of its Pre smartphone, Palm unveils a new smartphone called the Pixi.

(Sep 8, 2009)

The sad affair of Android app sales

Here's a recent comparison of Larva Labs sales data for 8/2009 of their Android port of their app versus their iPhone port. The money they made on their Android port wasn't even enough to cover something basic like powering on their computers. See: Paltry Android app sales. Here's a quote:

On Android it has sold, to date,
less than 500 copies. That’s
$1,046 total earnings, max. How
psyched are those guys that they
ported a huge hit to Android and
can’t even cover a party sub for
the release dinner?

(Sep 1, 2009)

First LWUIT Book Review

I recently got an email from Packt offering me a copy of the upcoming LWUIT-book from Biswajit for review, naturally I accepted and this is a review of that book which is the first published LWUIT book... Exciting.

(Sep 6, 2009)

What are the top mobile applications of 2009?

The proliferation of application storefronts has spawned thousands of mobile applications that are incredibly useful--as well as those that seem to serve little to no point. How to cut through the clutter? FierceMobileContent today introduces its list of the top 10 mobile applications of 2009.

(Sep 9, 2009)

HTC unveils latest Android phone

HTC released its fourth phone based on Google's Android platform, the Tattoo, promising users a new level of customization. The news comes days after Sprint Nextel said it would launch the HTC Hero and right before Motorola is set to unveil its first Android offerings.

(Sep 8, 2009)

New Stuff In LWUIT - Heading To 1.3

I recently committed some code signifying the direction LWUIT is now taking towards our 1.3 release and hopefully towards a more organized development plan that would include more official releases with predefined features. Some of the major changes going into 1.3 are already beginning to appear and some of the other architectural changes are already drawn in the sand ...

(Sep 9, 2009)

4 New Screencasts: LWUIT, JDTF, JSR 290, and JavaCard

Our documentation team has put together four brand-new screencasts on current subjects. They are 5 minutes each in length and a great way to get introduced quickly to the highlights of each topic.

(Sep 8, 2009)

Join me at OSiM World and WIPJAM, Sept. 15/16, Amsterdam

WIPJAM has become a fixture on the conference circuit … if you’ve never been to one of these then this is your chance to experience it. What is WIPJAM@OSiM, you ask? Find out all about it here – and be sure to register! I’m looking forward to it and I hope to see you there!

(Sep 3, 2009)

Take the JavaFX Developer Survey

Help drive the direction of JavaFX training and certification by taking the JavaFX developer survey.

You’ll need only 5 to 10 minutes. The JavaFX team is designing a comprehensive curriculum for Java developers. The primary objective of the curriculum is to enable developers to use JavaFX technologies to build rich internet applications. We’re looking for your input on the topics and tasks to include in the training.

Survey ends September 16.

(Sep 3, 2009)

Java Mobile Podcast 86: Mobile Service Architecture 2: Introducing New Features in Mobile Devices

Kay Glahn from Vodafone Group R&D and Erkki Rysa from Nokia share the new features in MSA2 in this abbreviated feature from JavaOne.

(Sep 1, 2009)

Moving from java.net to WordPress

After nearly three years with the java.net blogging system I am moving my blog to here on WordPress, starting today.

(Sep 3, 2009)

LWUIT 1.2.1 Release

LWUIT 1.2.1, which is a bug fix release addressing some of the issues in the current drop, has been released. A major part of the release is the BlackBerry port of LWUIT, based on many fixes from Thorsten Schemm's LWUIT-incubator port.

(Aug 25, 2009)

One Java ME app to run them all, and in the darkness bind them

Microsoft has come up with a bright new concept: Use Java ME to unify to one programming platform for all the disparate cell phones out there. Duh. Now, why didn't we think of that at Sun Microsystems? Oh, wait... we did.

See:

Microsoft Java ME OneApp

Here's a quote: OneApp is a (small 150k) Java application which can run on any compatible Java phone... What a great idea! Using Java ME technology for what it was intended to do. Well, it shouldn't take a multi-billion dollar company to validate that idea. But, heck, we'll take it. Microsoft is an OK company in my book. ;-)

Hinkmond

(Aug 25, 2009)

You can choose any color you want as long as it's Blackberry

The Apply Your Ideas mobile app writing contest being held by Verizon reminds me of Henry Ford's old adage, "You can have any color you want as long as it's black." It appears that even though Verizon encourages "Java, BREW, Android, Windows Mobile and other" developers, you must write an app that runs on the BlackBerry Storm (available through Verizon, natch) in order to enter their contest.

(Aug 19, 2009)

Java Mobility Podcast 85: Migrating Your Midlets to JavaFX Mobile Technology

Highlights from the JavaOne session TS-4506 with hints & tips on migrating your Java ME applications to JavaFX Mobile.

(Aug 17, 2009)

Futbol bin bery, bery gud to Java ME

Yeah, Fox Soccer Channel knows what's what. No p*ssing around with money-losing iPhone and Android app development. They choose to reach the most mobile customers and gain the most money by choosing to release their FoxSoccer.com Mobile Match Tracker mobile application as a Java ME application. Yeah, that's right: Java ME application.

See:
FoxSoccer.com Mobile releases Java ME app

Here's a quote:

"FSC also developed a Java app for mobile phones called FoxSoccer.com Mobile Match Tracker. It’s as you’d expect: a handy mobile app for AT&T; and Sprint phones provided they support Java..."

So, whether you call it soccer or football, it doesn't matter--as long as you have the FoxSoccer.com Java ME app to keep track of it all, it's all good.
-Hinkmond

(Aug 17, 2009)

Earthworm Jim coming to your Java ME mobile phone

Here's something fun for your Java ME tech-enabled cell phone: Earthworm Jim. It's a game that's been around for years, but now Gameloft and Interplay re-introduce it for a variety of platforms including Java ME mobile phones.

See:

Earthworm Jim worming into your phone

Here's a quote:

"Earthworm Jim, a popular run and gun platform video game featuring an earthworm who dresses up in a Super Suit to fight evil. The game will make its way to mobile..."

Any earthworm who figures out how to put on an indestructible space suit while crawling around eating dirt and dodging birds is OK in my book--sorta like a worm version of Space Ghost.

- Hinkmon

(Aug 17, 2009)

Lots of mobile e-reading apps mean big bucks for Java ME

The Amazon Kindle has spurred huge growth in the e-book market. Lots of people get Kindle-envy watching other people whip out their sleek devices and immerse themselves in an e-book, any time and anywhere, like at the airport or in a waiting room. So, instead of the Java ME-based Kindle, they go online and buy a Java ME-based e-reader app for their smartphone. Win-win.

See:

Java ME and e-books = Good Match

Here's a quote:

"I never really wanted something that was a single-function device. I just couldn't see spending ... $300 for a device where I'm sort of locked in to one retailer. Whereas my phone, that does everything."

Forrester Research analyst Sarah Rotman Epps said that while the Kindle has sparked interest in e-books, downloads of e-reading applications for smart phones have far outnumbered the Kindles sold.

Java ME technology is great at enabling whole industries to pop up, just like it has done for e-books.
- Hinkmond

(Aug 7, 2009)

BOLT Mobile Browser: No dog when it comes to Java ME

If you thought you saw fonts rendered quickly on Java ME mobile devices before, you ain't seen nothin' until you see the BOLT Mobile Browser on Java ME. Rrwoof! Rwow-rwee, Rhaggy! Rhat's rast!
- hinkmond

(Aug 11, 2009)

JavaOne demo for JavaFX and SunSpot

An interesting video with Denis Magda (a far east Russian ambassador) presenting a way to "listen" for SunSpot events and forward them to JavaFX application.
- Andrei Dmitriev

(Aug 11, 2009)

News update

Even in this "quiet" summer time period there is plenty of newsworthy information flying around. A list of new items posted to the Java Mobile & Embedded Community home page ...

(Aug 10, 2009)

Free "Summer Camp" courses introduce students to Java, JavaFX!

Yesterday, I was sent some information on a really cool and FREE "summer camp" course on JavaFX for students between the ages of 13-18, that has just a few weeks left, so please don't waste any time checking out the links!

The course is brought to you by FreshBrain, which is an education platform for youth that focuses on technology and offers opportunities for teenagers to learn about and work with cutting-edge technologies in a safe community environment.

(Aug 14, 2009)

JavaFX Mobile Ready for Primetime!

I was the very first person to buy an HTC Diamond at JavaOne. (Jacob Lehrbaum probably thought he was about to be mugged as I stalked him into the Java Store.) It worked out great for my presentations, but I had to tip-toe around some issues that showed up only on applications deployed to the phone.

However, the latest JavaFX 1.2 EA release is ready for primetime! The installation was a breeze and all of the JavaFX applications I have tried on it so far have worked great.
- Steven Chin

(Jul 29, 2009)

Java Mobility Podcast 84: Valderi Leithardt on using SunSpots for gesture recognition

An interview with Ph.D. candidate Valderi Leithardt in Brazil on using SunSpots for gesture recognition.

(Aug 10, 2009)

Wonderful, but missing the point

An Apology from Amazon - kindle Discussion Forum
Bezos apology is wonderful, and a great leadership example that is to be welcomed. It doesn't change the fact, however, that the Kindle/DRM combination is orthogonal to freedom. What happens when Bezos and his like are not the boss? I still don't want a Kindle (etc).
(tags: DRM Amazon Kindle 1984 Books Freedom)

- webmink

(Jul 24, 2009)

MajiPlayer 2.x The Best Just Got Frigging Insane

The majimob applications are demos we often use to show off how far LWUIT can go on everyday devices, media applications such as MajiPlayer are always great demos even when they are badly done... However, in this case I think majimob didn't just outdo itself but rather outdid anything I ever saw even in dedicated media devices. Just check out the demo video to your right and try it for yourself on devices by going to http://majimob.com/mob/ with your device!
- Shai Almog

(Aug 7, 2009)

Google Android in back of the line for Google Maps Mobile

Here's an article about the latest Mobile version of Google Maps, version 3.2. Notice how Google caters to the big platforms for Mobile: BlackBerry, Java ME, Symbian, and Windows Mobile. And, as should be, Android is last in line when Google thinks about how it can monetize their Mobile Apps, such as Google Maps Mobile. The sheer volume of deployments for each platform means that proper prioritization puts Android last.
- hinkmond

(Aug 7, 2009)

Java ME: LWUIT Upgrades

For those developers working on apps for today's feature phones, the Java Swing-inspired LWUIT has long been a good option for making good looking UIs such as these. And its just part of the all-devices-in-one Java ME SDK 3.0.
- dannycoward

(Aug 6, 2009)

links for 2009-08-04

Microsoft's Linux Kernel Code Drop Result of GPL Violation
There had to be a reason beyond goodwill, and it seems that reason was avoidance of a lawsuit.
(tags: Microsoft Linux OpenSource FOSS)
Open source goes to Washington
Looks like the Pirates need some consulting on how copyright and Free software actually work as their stated policy take a populist but wrong approach.
(tags: OSFA OSA Podcast SimonPhipps Clippings OpenSource FOSS America USA

-webmink

(Aug 4, 2009)

Older articles ...

[+]

Approaches to Open Source

Aeroseek: Real-Time Flight Tracker
I was asked for a way to see how a flight is progressing - this site lists three approaches.
(tags: Travel Flight Tracking Maps Airline mashup)
How the Swedish Pirate Party Platform Backfires on Free Software
Looks like the Pirates need some consulting on how copyright and Free software actually work as their stated policy take a populist but wrong approach.
(tags: Sweden Copyright Politics hacker Pirate)

-webmink

(Jul 26, 2009)

Congratulations to our Java ME Rock Stars!

The JavaOne 2009 Rock Stars were just published. Hinkmond Wong (phoneME Project Lead) and Eric Arsenau (Principal Investigator, SquawkVM) made the list. Congratulations!
- Terrence Barr

(Jul 26, 2009)

Just released: JavaFX Mobile 1.2 EA for Windows Mobile

Ever since JavaFX Mobile was announced at Mobile World Congress in February developers were asking: When can we get our hands on real devices? Sure, the Mobile Emulator has been available for a while - but nothing beats the real thing....
- Terrence Barr

(Jul 26, 2009)

I Found A Bug In LWUIT

Submitting issues to LWUIT is pretty easy but we still get a flood of duplicates and questions in the mailing list so I would like to just clarify this "how to" to hopefully improve the signal to noise ration of LWUIT.
- Shai Almog

(Jul 28, 2009)

Resolving Device Fragmentation Issues - Mobile Web and Local Apps (and Google)

The Problem: Too many handsets, environments, and differences across platforms. The Solution: A single environment/platform for mobile apps. There you go, problem solved, no more fragmentation!
- ceo

(Jul 26, 2009)

Java Mobility Podcast 83: JATAF panel discussion

Excerpts of a panel discussion for the launch of JATAF (the Java Application Terminal Alignment Framework) at JavaOne.

(Jul 27, 2009)

JavaLobby Report on Latin America's Mobile, Media, and eMbedded Developer Days

Three years ago Roger Brinkley (Mobile & Embedded Community Leader) and Terrence Barr (Senior Technologist and Community Ambassador) realized that there wasn't really a conference focused on mobile and embedded Java topics. Though there were several Java conferences, they never provided a space where details relating to mobile and embedded devices could be discussed. So Roger and Terrence asked a few people: "What if we were to put together a conference specifically geared towards mobile and embedded Java topics?" ...
- Geertjan Wielenga

(Jul 23, 2009)

Be afraid when a company becomes technology-driven

You know it will turn out poorly when a company becomes more technology-driven rather than customer-driven. There comes a time when every successful tech company gets too big and starts to design based on what can be done with technology rather than what should be done with technology.
Here's a San Jose Mercury News piece by Chris O'Brien talking about Google's identity crisis.
-hinkmond

(Jul 24, 2009)

America Needs Open Source

Today sees the launch of a new coalition of businesses (large and small), organizations and individuals to speak up for Free and open source software in Washington DC. Open Source for America brings together a diverse alliance drawn from every corner of the software freedom movement. The Board of Advisors (on which I'm honoured to serve) brings together community, commercial, political and military voices, and the membership has been the easiest to recruit of any activity I have known. That's because at the heart of the organization you'll find the principles of the Free Software Definition, which themselves form the core beliefs of almost everyone supporting free and open source software.
- webmink

(Jul 22, 2009)

1.5 billion iPhone app downloads: Bogus or Bonafide

I attended a talk here at Sun, by Ilya L. and Chris D. from GetJar.com talking about their download rate of Java ME apps far outnumbering the actual download rate of the Apple App Store for the iPhone. There seems to be some controversy over whether the possibly cooked up 1.5 billion iPhone app download number contains just unique app downloads or includes the frequent updates that an already installed app requires. Jason D. O'Grady a blogger at ZDNet seems to agree and think the Apple number is bogus.

- hinkmond

(Jul 17, 2009)

Faster Data Transfer With Bluetooth and Contactless Communication

Learn how Bluetooth applications can bypass the device discovery and service searching by using Near-Field Communication (NFC) technology and JSR 257 (Contactless Communication API).

(Jul 16, 2009)

JavaOne Sessions & Hands-on-Labs now online

Just a quick note: Many of the technical sessions and Hands-on-Labs for JavaOne 2009 have now been posted online - free to download. Find it all on SDN. Enjoy.

- Terrence Barr

(Jul 15, 2009)

Java ME Tools: The State of the Union, Q2 2009

The Java ME platform is huge, robust, and versatile. This article provides a compatibility matrix of tools, SDKs, and APIs for many of the Java ME toolkits on the market today.

(Jul 13, 2009)

Working with Bluetooth and GPS: Follow-up

The "Working with Bluetooth and GPS" series on the Bluetooth API (JSR 82) spawned a number of questions, which author Bruce Hopkins addresses in this follow-up tech tip.

(Jul 12, 2009)

Developing Content with JavaFX Mobile, Java ME, and the Messaging API (JSR 205)

One of the questions every time a new technology appears is "How can I integrate this technology with my existing applications?" This article shows you how to use the JavaFX mobile user interface with existing Java ME APIs and, in particular, the Messaging API (JSR 205). You will build two applications: one will create and send the message, and the second application will receive the message.

(Jul 11, 2009)

Prototype of Java ME SDK on Mac and Linux

If you have missed Java ONE, you can see a short screencast showing something that Tomas presented: Java Platform Micro Edition Software Development Kit Prototype running on Mac OS X. (direct link to a HD .mov video, 22.8 MB, 3 minutes)

(Jul 10, 2009)

Back from Brazil (and vacation ...)

Back from Brazil and a nice two-week break from traveling. Mobile, Media, and eMbedded Developer Days Latin America (M3DD/LA ) was extremely successful - sold-out at over 550 attendees, buzzing with activity and enthusiasm, and well-organized.

- Terrence Barr

(Jul 9, 2009)

Javali 2009 - Java Open Source@FISL

FISL (the Free Software International Forum) in Porto Alegre (BRAZIL) is a 4 days events about open source in all different domains. This year will be the 10th edition and SOUJava+RSJug are working together to put another JAVALI (Java Open Source technologies)

- Mauricio Leal

(Jul 8, 2009)

Redesign Your Resources

Allot has changed in the LWUIT Designer in the last few months, the changes might not be immediately obvious in the new drop at first glance but those who have been using the tool for quite a while should look forward to one of the strongest releases yet.

-Shai Almog

(Jul 7, 2009)

Lula's Free Java Ring

The Brazilian economy is powered by the Java platform - even their new Free digital TV standard uses it. They took the decision to use Java for so much in part when we (Bruno, myself and a number of others) assured them, a number of years ago, that there would be Free implementations. The story ever since has been snowballing investment in Java skills and an economy capable not only of supporting its own needs but also of exporting skills - they even joined the JCP back in 2005.

- Webminkwebmink

(Jul 6, 2009)

M3DD/LA - A gather of mobile and embedded community in Latin America

On June 20th, Brazil hosted the first edition of M3DD/LA (Java Mobile, Media and eMbedded Developer Days - Latin American Edition), in Goiania. The event was huge success (600 attendees) and organizers are considering a big event for next year.

- Mauricio Leal

(Jul 3, 2009)

Carnival of the Mobilists #180

This week’s Carnival of the Mobilists is hosted by Rudy de Waele at the m-trends blog: Looking back at the many contributions done by so many mobilists till now, this is still what’s it’s all about! The Carnival stays probably the best online resource to read about different views and opinions by industry experts, pundits, marketers, [...]

-ceo

(Jul 2, 2009)

Java Mobility Podcast 82: M3DD/LA

Roger and Terrence have a conversation with the organizers of Mobile, Media, and eMbedded Developer Days/Latin America in Goiania, Brazil.

(Jul 6, 2009)

Roger speaking at Javali

Roger is speaking at Javali about the Mobile & Embedded Community. View the talk live here.

(Jul 1, 2009)

FX Mobilization

My colleague has just returned from JavaOne and brought an HTC Diamond cell phone that supports JavaFX. Of course I couldn't stop but running my demos on it.

- Sergey Malenkov

(Jun 18, 2009)

The Java Store, a Q&A

One of the big announcements at JavaOne was the Java Store. I'm especially proud of it because I've been secretly working on the project for the past few months. Since the announcement I've gotten a lot of questions on the...

- Joshua Marinacci

(Jun 18, 2009)

JDK 7: Collecting Honey

There's alsobeen a flurry of blogging and articles around the JDK 7 Preview, released at JavaOne, too.

- dannycoward

(Jun 18, 2009)

Java Mobility Podcast 81: JDTF

Victor D'yakov talks about the new Java Device Testing Framework project in the Mobile & Embedded Community.

(Jun 18, 2009)