Mobile Programming Pit Stop http://mobilepit.com Mobile Phone, PDA and JavaME (J2ME) Programming Blog Sat, 12 Jul 2008 12:46:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 en Free Skype JavaME (J2ME) client for mobile device http://mobilepit.com/06/free-skype-javame-j2me-client-for-mobile-device.html http://mobilepit.com/06/free-skype-javame-j2me-client-for-mobile-device.html#comments Thu, 26 Jun 2008 16:01:47 +0000 mypapit http://mobilepit.com/?p=122 Great news for those who are using Skype to get connected with their contacts, now they can do so while on the move with the free Skype mobile client.

The mobile client offers chat feature as well as receiving calls from Skype contacts. However airtime charge may incur for receiving voice call, depending on the subscribers’ data plan.

The main advantage of this J2ME client is portability across a wide-range of mobile devices which implements MIDP 2.0. Although the Skype Mobile website lists only handful of supported device, in reality Mobile Skype is supported on a lot more devices.

Disadvantages include its inability to send SMS to your contacts and the inability to make voice calls. However in my opinion, the free Mobile Skype does its best considering it is written for mobile devices with limited capabilities.

You can download Skype Mobile from this website : http://mobiledownload.skype.com/

Tips
With little creativity on java jad file, you can install Mobile Skype on any MIDP 2.0 supported device without much trouble

]]> http://mobilepit.com/06/free-skype-javame-j2me-client-for-mobile-device.html/feed Upgraded to Wordpress 2.5.1 http://mobilepit.com/05/upgraded-to-wordpress-251.html http://mobilepit.com/05/upgraded-to-wordpress-251.html#comments Mon, 19 May 2008 06:12:17 +0000 mypapit http://mobilepit.com/?p=121 This website upgraded has been upgraded to wordpress 2.5.1 to ensure quality content delivery for its reader. Thank you for subscribing and reading this blog after this long years. I’m planning to continue to write in the blog again some time after next month.

So stay tuned!

]]> http://mobilepit.com/05/upgraded-to-wordpress-251.html/feed Create PC Bluetooth application easily with pybluez http://mobilepit.com/10/create-pc-bluetooth-application-easily-with-pybluez.html http://mobilepit.com/10/create-pc-bluetooth-application-easily-with-pybluez.html#comments Tue, 23 Oct 2007 04:19:46 +0000 mypapit http://mobilepit.com/10/create-pc-bluetooth-application-easily-with-pybluez.html pybluez is a python bindings for the bluez application which enables you to interface with bluetooth devices on your computer.

Combined with the power of python dynamic typing, you will be able to do Rapid Application Development and test mobile bluetooth application quickly on your computer

Here's a snippets which combines pyosd and pybluez which scans for nearby bluetooth devices and display the result on screen :

PLAIN TEXT
PYTHON:
  1. import bluetooth
  2. import pyosd
  3. from time import sleep
  4.  
  5. p = pyosd.osd()
  6.  
  7. p.set_pos(pyosd.POS_MID)
  8. p.set_align(pyosd.ALIGN_CENTER)
  9. p.set_colour("green")
  10.  
  11. p.display( "Scanning for bluetooth device")
  12.  
  13. nearby_devices = bluetooth.discover_devices(duration=20, lookup_names = True)
  14.  
  15. str= "found %d devices" % len(nearby_devices)
  16. print str
  17. p.display(str)
  18. sleep(2)
  19.  
  20. for name, addr in nearby_devices:
  21.    p.display( "  %s - %s" % (addr, name))
  22.    print (" %s - %s" % (addr,name))
  23.    sleep(2)

Python enables Rapid Application Development on your computer without much fuss. Coupled with pygtk and wxPython acting as GUI, you can create a lot of bluetooth application to interface with your mobile devices, limited only by your imagination.

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]]> http://mobilepit.com/10/create-pc-bluetooth-application-easily-with-pybluez.html/feed How to get Phone IMEI number with J2ME / JavaME http://mobilepit.com/10/how-to-get-imei-number-in-j2me-javame.html http://mobilepit.com/10/how-to-get-imei-number-in-j2me-javame.html#comments Fri, 12 Oct 2007 11:57:53 +0000 mypapit http://mobilepit.com/10/how-to-get-imei-number-in-j2me-javame.html International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) is used to identify valid devices connected to GSM and UMTS network. This number can be accessed from a mobile phone by dialing *#06# on the keypad. IMEI is commonly use by software developers as part of software protection scheme to prevent it from being pirated.

JavaME developers however suffers from a drawback because MIDP/CLDC specification does not include an API to obtain IMEI from mobile devices. However there are few phone manufacturers included this functionality through System.getPropery() calls.

Here's how to get IMEI number from mobile devices of different manufacturers
Nokia

PLAIN TEXT
JAVA:
  1. System.getProperty("phone.imei");
  2. System.getProperty("com.nokia.IMEI");

Note ; Requires signed midlet. S60 3rd edition device does not requires signing for this to work.

Sony-Ericsson

PLAIN TEXT
JAVA:
  1. System.getProperty("com.sonyericsson.imei");

Note ; might not work on all model, YMMV

Motorola

PLAIN TEXT
JAVA:
  1. System.getProperty("IMEI");
  2. System.getProperty("com.motorola.IMEI");

Samsung

PLAIN TEXT
JAVA:
  1. System.getProperty("com.samsung.imei");

Siemens

PLAIN TEXT
JAVA:
  1. System.getProperty("com.siemens.imei");

Hopefully this information can aid you in your J2ME programming projects.

Quick Tip :
It's quite hard to determine the phone model/manufacturer well ahead beforehand. For a more robust solution, I suggest that you combine the above call with System.getProperty("microedition.platform").

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]]> http://mobilepit.com/10/how-to-get-imei-number-in-j2me-javame.html/feed Cool J2ME Game Demo - Opposite Lock http://mobilepit.com/10/cool-j2me-game-demo-opposite-lock.html http://mobilepit.com/10/cool-j2me-game-demo-opposite-lock.html#comments Tue, 09 Oct 2007 05:35:47 +0000 mypapit http://mobilepit.com/10/cool-j2me-game-demo-opposite-lock.html Here's a video clip from the Grand Prize winner of Java Mobile Application Video Contest organized by Sun.

The demo feature a Mobile Java (j2me) car racing game called Opposite Lock. Enjoy the video.

Loading...

You can download and buy Opposite Lock from clickgamer.com

]]> http://mobilepit.com/10/cool-j2me-game-demo-opposite-lock.html/feed Download J2ME WheelItem CustomItem http://mobilepit.com/10/download-j2me-wheelitem-customitem.html http://mobilepit.com/10/download-j2me-wheelitem-customitem.html#comments Fri, 05 Oct 2007 20:49:17 +0000 mypapit http://mobilepit.com/10/download-j2me-wheelitem-customitem.html This is an example of J2ME / JavaME CustomItem called WheelItem. It does nothing beside showing a spinning wheel on the phone screen. WheelItem is a perfect candidate to be displayed on a wait form screen replacing Gauge class while your application is performing lengthy operating.

WheelItem Screenshot

PLAIN TEXT
JAVA:
  1. import javax.microedition.midlet.*;
  2. import javax.microedition.lcdui.*;
  3. import java.util.*;
  4.  
  5. public class WheelItem extends CustomItem
  6. {
  7.   private int mCount,mMaximum;
  8.   private int mInterval;
  9.   private int mWidth,mHeight,mX,mY,mRadius;
  10.   private String mMessage;
  11.    
  12. public WheelItem(String title)
  13. {
  14.     super(title);
  15.     mCount=0;
  16.     mMaximum = 36;
  17.     mInterval = 100;
  18.  
  19.     TimerTask task = new TimerTask() {
  20.         public void run() {
  21.             mCount = (mCount+1) % mMaximum;
  22.             repaint();
  23.         }
  24.     };
  25.     Timer timer = new Timer();
  26.     timer.schedule(task,0,mInterval);
  27. }
  28.     public void setString(String string)
  29.     {
  30.         mMessage = string;
  31.         repaint();
  32.     }
  33.    
  34.     public void paint(Graphics g, int iWidth, int iHeight) {
  35.         mWidth = iWidth;
  36.         mHeight = iHeight;
  37.         int halfWidth = mWidth/2;
  38.         int halfHeight = mHeight/2;
  39.  
  40.         mRadius = Math.min(halfWidth,halfHeight);
  41.         mX = halfWidth - mRadius/2;
  42.         mY = halfHeight - mRadius/2;
  43.  
  44.         int theta = -(mCount*360/mMaximum);
  45.  
  46.         g.setColor(255,255,255);
  47.         g.fillRect(0,0,mWidth,mHeight);
  48.         g.setColor(0,0,0);
  49.         g.drawArc(mX,mY,mRadius,mRadius,0,360);
  50.         g.fillArc(mX,mY,mRadius,mRadius,theta+90,90);
  51.         g.fillArc(mX,mY,mRadius,mRadius,theta+270,90);
  52.        
  53.         if (mMessage !=null)
  54.         {
  55.             g.drawString(mMessage,mWidth/2,mHeight,Graphics.BOTTOM | Graphics.HCENTER);
  56.         }
  57.     }
  58.   public int getMinContentWidth() { return 80; }
  59.   public int getMinContentHeight() { return 80; }
  60.   public int getPrefContentWidth(int width) {return getMinContentWidth();}
  61.   public int getPrefContentHeight(int height) {return getMinContentHeight();}
  62. }

Download example application with WheelItem source : WaitFormDemo.zip

Ported (rather poorly) from Wheel canvas written by Jonathan Knudsen from his article - Networking, User Experiences and Threads.

Any suggestions or improvements are welcomed!

]]> http://mobilepit.com/10/download-j2me-wheelitem-customitem.html/feed SymbianTutorial.org - Symbian application development basic http://mobilepit.com/10/symbiantutorialorg-symbian-application-development-basic.html http://mobilepit.com/10/symbiantutorialorg-symbian-application-development-basic.html#comments Tue, 02 Oct 2007 03:54:56 +0000 mypapit http://mobilepit.com/10/symbiantutorialorg-symbian-application-development-basic.html SymbianTutorial.org is a good website to learn about fundamental application development in Symbian (especially series60).

Though some information about the IDE is slightly outdated (as stated on the website), the tutorial website covers basic Symbian data type, class naming convention, exception handling, input/output, gui handling basics and how to create resource file for Symbian development platform.

The website itself is structred in a way to introduce reader to Symbian application development environment, which is the main platform used in Nokia and Sony-Ericsson smartphones.

]]> http://mobilepit.com/10/symbiantutorialorg-symbian-application-development-basic.html/feed iPhoneCanvas - Fancy List component class for J2ME http://mobilepit.com/10/iphonecanvas-fancy-list-component-class-for-j2me.html http://mobilepit.com/10/iphonecanvas-fancy-list-component-class-for-j2me.html#comments Mon, 01 Oct 2007 14:20:35 +0000 mypapit http://mobilepit.com/10/iphonecanvas-fancy-list-component-class-for-j2me.html I found a really nice but simple to use fancy list chooser class that emulates an iPhone display. The class requires MIDP 2.0 supported phones and can replace the default and boring List chooser class into a stunning, smooth scrolling graphical menu (includes reflections) for your users to see

Here's example screenshot of iPhoneCanvas demo in action :

These menu icons are generated from flat and boring thumbnails like these :

Download
iPhoneCanvas is licensed under the GNU General Public License and can be downloaded from listchooser Google Code project page

Demo
The iPhoneCanvas demo featured in above screenshot can be downloaded here - fancylist.jar, fancylist.zip (demo source code)

Please submit bug reports or suggestions at Google Code listchooser page

]]> http://mobilepit.com/10/iphonecanvas-fancy-list-component-class-for-j2me.html/feed How to generate Random Numbers in J2ME application http://mobilepit.com/09/how-to-generate-random-numbers-in-j2me-application.html http://mobilepit.com/09/how-to-generate-random-numbers-in-j2me-application.html#comments Fri, 28 Sep 2007 09:04:57 +0000 mypapit http://mobilepit.com/09/how-to-generate-random-numbers-in-j2me-application.html One of the popular question asked in this blog is ways to generate random numbers in J2ME application.

As most people probably realized, the JavaME CLDC does not include the Math.Random class to generate random numbers. However one can generate a series of random numbers in JavaME/J2ME application by using the included java.util.Random class.

Here's a sample usage

PLAIN TEXT
JAVA:
  1. import java.util.Random;
  2. ...
  3.     Random generator = new Random();
  4.     generator.setSeed(System.currentTimeMillis());
  5.     float f = generator.nextFloat();
  6.    
  7.     System.out.println(""+(f*100.0f)%100);
  8. ...

The sample code above will produce a random floating-point number between 0..100 (exclusive)

Here's the source code for the full Random Number Demo application : RandomDemo.java,

]]> http://mobilepit.com/09/how-to-generate-random-numbers-in-j2me-application.html/feed Foxrate - Open Source J2ME Currency Converter Mobile Application http://mobilepit.com/09/foxrate-open-source-j2me-currency-converter-mobile-application.html http://mobilepit.com/09/foxrate-open-source-j2me-currency-converter-mobile-application.html#comments Fri, 28 Sep 2007 03:58:31 +0000 mypapit http://mobilepit.com/09/foxrate-open-source-j2me-currency-converter-mobile-application.html open source j2me currency converter

Foxrate mobile is a currency converter application for mobile devices. It is a relatively small application which supports converting from/to 35 different currencies used around the world.

Foxrate lifts you from the burden of updating currency rate by automatically retrieving latest currency information from remote server. The best part about foxrate is -- it is available for free and open source!

Download Foxrate Mobile Currency Converter
Foxrate can downloaded from- Google Code's Foxrate page and Getjar.com

]]> http://mobilepit.com/09/foxrate-open-source-j2me-currency-converter-mobile-application.html/feed Pocket SharpMT - Free Pocket PC Blogging Client http://mobilepit.com/09/pocket-sharpmt-free-pocket-pc-blogging-client.html http://mobilepit.com/09/pocket-sharpmt-free-pocket-pc-blogging-client.html#comments Wed, 26 Sep 2007 05:44:15 +0000 mypapit http://mobilepit.com/09/pocket-sharpmt-free-pocket-pc-blogging-client.html Pocket SharpMT is a blogging client for Pocket PC devices. It supports Movable-Type and other blogging platform that supports Movable-Type XML-RPC api like Wordpress and Nucleus CMS.

Among the features supported by Pocket SharpMT are :

  • Multiple Category support
  • Post Status (Draft/Published)
  • Custom Weblog API ping URL
  • Post Excerpts
  • Image Uploading
  • Text Formatting
  • Contact-list details export (URL,Email)

The most useful feature that I appreciate most in SharpMT are the multiple category support and post draft saving feature, which is very handy when I'm traveling with my Dopod P800W Pocket PC PDA.

The only feature that I would like to add in SharpMT is support for Pocket PC GPS device. It would be awesome to be able to report your position when you are blogging while you're travelling.

Pocket SharpMT Screenshots

Download Pocket SharpMT
As the name implies, Pocket SharpMT requires .NET Compact Framework 2.0 runtime which is shipped together with devices running Windows Mobile 5.0 and above.

You can download Pocket SharpMT from its official website below :

[ Download Pocket SharpMT ]

]]> http://mobilepit.com/09/pocket-sharpmt-free-pocket-pc-blogging-client.html/feed Wordpress 2.3 has been released! yay! http://mobilepit.com/09/wordpress-23-has-been-released-yay.html http://mobilepit.com/09/wordpress-23-has-been-released-yay.html#comments Tue, 25 Sep 2007 16:52:11 +0000 mypapit http://mobilepit.com/09/wordpress-23-has-been-released-yay.html Finally, The much awaited Wordpress 2.3 is finally released today! Among the new features of Wordpress 2.3 (codename Dexter) are :

  • Built-in Tag support
    • Wordpress release update notification
    • More options in canonical URLs
    • Pending Reviews feature for multi author blog
    • Advance WYSIWYG HTML editor (TinyMCE)
    • Atom 1.0 support (feeds and publishing)

    Please read the official Wordpress 2.3 release announcement for more information!

    Note: This weblog will be upgraded to Wordpress 2.3 pretty soonish!

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    ]]>     http://mobilepit.com/09/wordpress-23-has-been-released-yay.html/feed     Upgrade Dopod Pocket PC to Windows Mobile 6 http://mobilepit.com/09/upgrade-dopod-pocket-pc-to-windows-mobile-6.html http://mobilepit.com/09/upgrade-dopod-pocket-pc-to-windows-mobile-6.html#comments Fri, 14 Sep 2007 17:29:04 +0000 mypapit http://mobilepit.com/09/upgrade-dopod-pocket-pc-to-windows-mobile-6.html Great news to all Dopod Pocket PC owners! HTC now offers a free Windows Mobile 6 upgrade to those who previously bought Windows Mobile 5 Dopod devices, which includes me!

    windows6.png

    To upgrade, simply go to the Dopod website, select your appropriate country and click "Upgrade to Windows Mobile 6 Now!". You will need to download ActiveSync 4.5 to install WM6 on your Dopod device however.

    Please note that you are required to register as Dopod Club Members before you can proceed with the downloads.

    dopod-838pro.jpg

    Supported Dopod Device
    The supported Dopod device for the upgrade are

    • Dopod D810
    • Dopod U1000
    • Dopod P800W
    • Dopod 838Pro

    A Word of Warning
    Do remember that upgrading firmware is a risky procedure! You might end up with an expensive paperweight should the upgrade procedure fails, refer to the nearest Authorized HTC Care center near you for assistance.

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    ]]>     http://mobilepit.com/09/upgrade-dopod-pocket-pc-to-windows-mobile-6.html/feed     Presentation Slides for 10 Sept UUM Sintok Class Talk (AP Hatim) http://mobilepit.com/09/presentation-slides-for-10-sept-uum-sintok-class-talk-ap-hatim.html http://mobilepit.com/09/presentation-slides-for-10-sept-uum-sintok-class-talk-ap-hatim.html#comments Mon, 10 Sep 2007 13:11:54 +0000 M.H Ismail http://mobilepit.com/09/presentation-slides-for-10-sept-uum-sintok-class-talk-ap-hatim.html Here is the presentation slides of the 10 Sept 2007 Network Content & Applications in Mobile Devices - Assoc Prof. Hatim Mohamad Tahir class at UUM Sintok.

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    ]]>     http://mobilepit.com/09/presentation-slides-for-10-sept-uum-sintok-class-talk-ap-hatim.html/feed     The best J2ME MIDlet icon size settings http://mobilepit.com/09/the-best-j2me-midlet-icon-size-settings.html http://mobilepit.com/09/the-best-j2me-midlet-icon-size-settings.html#comments Mon, 10 Sep 2007 03:05:34 +0000 mypapit http://mobilepit.com/09/the-best-j2me-midlet-icon-size-settings.html Although not required, It is nice to include icon in your MIDlet distribution as it give a unique feeling to your mobile application. The only problem is different device seems to have different icon sizes requirements for tJ2ME MIDlet.

    The Ideal Icon size guidelines for different mobile device
    Here is the icon size guideline for different devices

    Nokia

    • Series 40 - 128x160=24x24, 208x208=46x46, 240x320=46x48
    • S60 1st and 2nd - 176x208=42x29, 352x416=76x76
    • S60 3rd - 176x208=31x31, 208x176=37x37, 352x416=76x76, 240x320=53x53/55x55, 320x240=52x52/54x54, 208x208=37x37
    • N90/N95 : 84x58

    Samsung & Sony Ericsson
    Most Samsung phone accept 16x16, 32x32 icon size

    Motorola
    15x15, 16x16, 32x32

    Most phone seems to accept 8bit-depth color for MIDlet icons, except Nokia S60 3rd edition which seems display 24bit icon quite well.

    Note that most of this figure are based on experiments and observation on different phone models.

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    ]]>     http://mobilepit.com/09/the-best-j2me-midlet-icon-size-settings.html/feed