Java Developer Programs
Wireless needs a miracle
by Mark Hammond

Posted July 25, 2002

The wireless industry is at a crucial stage in its development. The new high-speed wireless networks are almost ready to support enterprise applications. The infrastructure is being put into place. And the business models that will allow enterprise developers to profit from this new platform are starting to emerge. All of the major players, from wireless carriers, device manufacturers, and chipset vendors to software platform and tools vendors, have agreed that Java is the best way—maybe even the only way—both to deliver advanced applications and mobile services that weren't possible before and to extend existing applications beyond the four walls of the enterprise.

Without compelling user experiences, open phones and wireless personal digital assistants (PDAs) are doomed to go the way of previous wireless experiments such as Wireless Application Protocol (WAP). Many companies built it. And nobody came.

That's where you come in. Just as in the '70s when the PC revolution turned ordinary programmers into miracle workers, vendors are looking to Java developers to help grow this nascent platform and drive a new and thriving wireless economy.

The excitement around wireless is palpable but unlike so many recent technologies, wireless provides clear benefits for a certain kind of mobile worker that will ultimately justify the investments being made by the wireless industry. The combination of faster, more reliable wireless networks and a ubiquitous approach to application development creates new opportunities for Java developers.

And vendors are going out of their way to help you exploit those opportunities. Whether or not they have formal developer programs in place or are just providing the resources you need to build next-generation mobile Java applications, you'll find a growing collection of resources from downloadable SDKs, emulators, sample code, technical documentation, and training available online.

While Java, and more specifically Java 2 Micro Edition (J2ME), is indeed ubiquitous, you'll need to understand the specific requirements of each device and software platform if you wish to provide more than basic functionality. Indeed, many of the device manufacturers offer device-specific APIs to accommodate specific functions or to help you integrate Java with other wireless technologies. Our guide to developer programs will help you do just that.

TOOLS
Borland Developer Network
Borland has enhanced its popular JBuilder tool for wireless Java development with JBuilder Mobile Set 2.0, released in January, as it looks to capitalize on the wireless market. Free download and documentation is available for Borland's key wireless development product, JBuilder Mobile Set. Browsers will also find links to partner sites, including Nokia, Siemens Mobile, Sprint, and Sun, as well as white papers on such topics as building WAP-enabled applications. Polls, chat, a sortable message board, a storefront of programming books, links to external J2ME sites, and featured "Soapbox" columns round out the resources.
(800) 632-2864
http://community.borland.com

IBM developerWorks
IBM's developerWorks program is boosting its wireless Java resources. Among its 20 in-depth tutorials on wireless development are several on Java, along with in-depth articles on such topics as using J2ME for record management systems. Available for free download or purchase are nearly 70 wireless products and tools—a dozen from IBM and the rest from third parties—and Tips & Tricks tackles JXTA, cryptography on J2ME, and more. Message forums, events listings, and a comprehensive, up-to-date set of links to relevant articles at media sites round out this worthwhile portal.
(800) 426-4968
www-106.ibm.com/developerworks/

Insignia Solutions
Insignia envisions a booming market for its Java-based infrastructure provisioning software aimed at enabling wireless carriers and mobile device manufacturers to deploy over-the-air (OTA) applications. On the device side, it offers Jeode PDA Edition, Insignia's PersonalJava implementation for PDAs, and you'll also find information on associated Jeode software for interactive TV, automotive telematics, information appliances, and embedded devices. The site includes ample documentation on Java-based Insignia Mobile Foundation, consisting of enhanced Connected Limited Device Configuration/Mobile Information Device Profile (CLDC/MIDP), Application Management Software (AMS) Studio, Mobile Media Framework, and its Secure System Provisioning product.
(800) 848-7677
www.insignia.com

Kada Mobile Developer Network
Kada, a pioneer in Java for mobile devices is about to roll out its formal Kada Mobile Developer Network and the associated Kada@Work program. Kada@Work will provide access to a series of reference applications that showcase the capabilities of the Kada Mobile Platform, and the Mobile Developer Network will be a one-stop resource for Kada Mobile Developer Network members. Developers can visit the Web site to sign up for the program and get information on the Kada Mobile Platform.The Kada Mobile Platform includes the Mobile Developer Studio (MDS), which is a set of tools that provide developers with capabilities required to easily develop, test, debug, deploy, and optimize J2ME applications. Also covered is Kada's support for small-footprint databases from Oracle and iAnywhere, a Sybase subsidiary.
(781) 825-4000
www.kadasystems.com

Metrowerks CodeWarriorU.com
A subsidiary of Motorola, Metrowerks in March shipped an upgrade to its CodeWarrior Wireless Studio, with expanded support for Java 2 Standard Edition (J2SE), J2ME, PersonalJava, and Java Card, as it increasingly targets the market for wireless and mobile application development. A highlight is CodeWarriorU.com, a free online training program accessible 24/7 that includes two in-depth Java-related courses. Visitors will find download options and purchase links for a host of tools, APIs, and plug-ins, including CodeWarrior Wireless Studio and CodeWarrior for Java, along with technical documentation, white papers, data sheets, a searchable technical support database, and a useful set of links to external newsgroups.
(512) 997-4700
www.codewarrioru.com

SavaJe
Java-centric SavaJe is evolving its year-old SavaJe OS, which includes an operating kernel, Java libraries, and Java Virtual Machine (JVM), to support emerging Java APIs. A trial download (or full purchase copy) of the SavaJe OS is available, as are a number of development tools. A five-topic message board includes tips and tricks for Compaq iPAQ, Psion netBook and SavaJe OS applications, a 50-question FAQ that is rich in technical information, and a support section that features the full technical documentation for SavaJe OS.
(978) 251-2901
www.savaje.com

Siemens Developers Village
Siemens Mobile, a division of the highly diversified, multinational Siemens AG, is broadening support for Java in both its handsets and software, and wireless Java is featured prominently at its Developers Village portal. It offers free downloads of Siemens Mobility Toolkit, including APIs, an emulator, and plug-ins to Sun and Borland IDEs for application development on Siemens Java-enabled phones, and SDKs for developing on Siemens Open Mobile Internet Platform. The site also includes market and industry news, technical and business information, bug lists, discussion forums, and information on wireless development conferences.
(888) 777-0211
www.siemens-mobile.de/btob/CDA/presentation/
ap_btob_cda_presentation_frontdoor/0,2950,28,FF.html

Sun Microsystems Wireless Developer Portal
Not surprisingly, the developer of Java technology boasts an impressive wealth of content through its Wireless Developer portal to help streamline mobile Java development and implementation. The searchable Bug Database includes a Top 25, as voted by registered developers. Sun supplies a comprehensive list of about 75 Java-enabled devices by manufacturer, as well as links to download sections at vendor Web sites (Oracle, Siemens, Palm, and three dozen others) to fetch SDKs, emulators, and other tools. Online quizzes cover JDME, MIDP, and Java cards, and message boards are packed with mobile Java tips and tricks. Links to hundreds of white papers, APIs, articles, book excerpts, product documents, training opportunities, and more make this portal a bonanza for the wireless Java developer.
(800) 555-9786
http://wireless.java.sun.com/

Symbian Developer Network
Symbian hopes to do for smartphones what Microsoft has done for the PC: Create a thriving software ecosystem. Therefore, it's no surprise that Symbian is making a major effort to court Java developers. Symbian has built system-level support for Java into its platform, and its Developer Network includes extensive resources both on integrating Java with the Symbian OS and for taking full advantage of the native Symbian APIs and technologies such as Magpie. Join up and you'll have access to numerous how-to technical papers, application and programming examples, and free downloads of SDKs, emulators, and Java utility classes. An online library, message board, newsletter subscription opportunity, and links to external newsgroups and a broad range of partner sites are also found at a well-structured, easily navigated site.
(650) 365-6300
www.symbian.com/developer/index.html

Zucotto Wireless
Zucotto Wireless markets itself as an end-to-end, hardware/software, and mobile Java provider offering Java-based processors, hardware development tools, a J2ME SDK, and Java profiles. It offers free download of a trial version of its WHITE-board Java SDK, including an emulator, device editor, documentation, and sample MIDlets, as well as an opportunity to order an evaluation version of its Xpresso Java-based processor and companion hardware development kit (HDK). White papers, FAQs, and technical documentation are also online.
(858) 777-1300
www.zucotto.com

WIRELESS CARRIERS
AT&T Wireless Data Developer Program
AT&T is going through big changes right now, ripping out its aging TDMA-based infrastructure in favor of GSM/GPRS and attempting to entice consumers to sign up for mMode, a data service based on NTT, DoCoMo, which is big in Japan on the i-mode mobile platform. One of the big reasons for i-mode's success is the wealth of applications available for the service and AT&T is counting on developers here to develop for mMode.

This four-tier program begins with free access to developer forums, white papers, style guides, and case studies. Fee-based membership adds discounted services, a training CD, technical support, beta test gateways, and certification and marketing opportunities. Java resources are a bit thin under the AT&T Wireless Data Developer Program right now, but that will probably change as J2ME grows in importance.
(800) 888-7600
www.attws.com/developer

Cingular Wireless Developer Portal
This carrier, a joint venture between SBC Communications and BellSouth, is expanding its support for devices, including products from Nokia, Motorola, Sony Ericsson, Sendo, Handspring, and Palm. Cingular is broadening Java content in its nicely designed Wireless Developer Portal with an abundance of SDKs, technical documentation, sample applications, and tools, including Simplicity for Mobile Devices and YoGI Toolkit. Basic membership is free; a $695 fee entitles developers to collaborate with Cingular Professional Services. The site provides a message board, links, alerts, discounted training, and application reselling opportunities, along with a "Developer of the Month" contest.
(866) 246-4852
http://alliance.cingularinteractive.com/

Nextel Developer Program
One of the longest running supporters of Java on the handset and a company with a strong portfolio of wireless enterprise and business applications, Nextel also maintains one of the most comprehensive developer programs. The Nextel Developer Program offers three types of membership, including one specifically for J2ME developers to build, certify, and sell applications. Resources on a well-organized Web site span from tools, including an Open Windowing Toolkit for GUI enhancement; application loaders; and J2ME development guides. Developers will also find online polls, expert columns, a handy set of links to mobile Java programming books at Amazon.com, and a seven-topic message board, with J2ME seeing the most activity.
(800) 639-6111
http://developer.nextel.com

DEVICE AND CHIP MANUFACTURERS
Forum Nokia
The Finnish company is broadening online resources through its Forum Nokia program to support Java application development for its mobile phones, as well as its enterprise network mobile, broadband, and IP solutions. A "Java Expert Zone" lets visitors ask questions of Nokia pros and view answers to previous inquiries. The site includes an array of APIs, SDKs, Java class libraries, and development documentation for download, as well as a popular message board on which developers swap intelligence. There's a 35-question FAQ and archived presentations from conferences worldwide. Java tips and tricks are also covered in the searchable Nokia Knowledge Base and a bi-weekly newsletter, "Nokia Developer Network."
(800) 547-9810
www.forum.nokia.com/main.html

Motorola MAGNET
Motorola is aggressively pushing Java-enabled handsets, semiconductors, and applications, having declared its objective to be the "world leader" in Java-enabled mobile solutions. Through its MAGNET program, developers will find a handy J2ME Lightweight Windowing Toolkit that is useful for enhancing MIDP GUIs with buttons, checkboxes, and other widgets, as well as Motorola's J2ME SDK Version 1.0 and Java application loaders. Motorola has made available for online licensing its Embedded Reference Implementation of J2ME, and provides links to download Sun's J2ME JDK and Metrowerks' CodeWarrior. Java-related support, certification, training, literature, and newsletters are available by joining MAGNET.
(888) 567-7347
http://developers.motorola.com/developers/wireless/

RIM BlackBerry Developer Zone
Research in Motion (RIM), manufacturer of the BlackBerry wireless handheld, stepped up its commitment to the Java market with the debut of a Java IDE at the JavaOne conference in March. RIM makes available for free download its BlackBerry Java Development Environment, a suite (including an emulator) for application development on Java-based BlackBerry 5800 wireless handhelds for GPRS networks. RIM also offers three formal programs for ISV alliances, compatibility testing, and developer referrals. Visitors will find detailed, Java-specific how-to papers, links to three-dozen external vendor sites, and a searchable Knowledge-Base that covers FAQs, sample code, technical documentation, and presentations.
(877) 255-2377
www.blackberry.net/developers/na/index.shtml

Sony Ericsson Mobility World
Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications, a jointly owned unit of Sony and Ericsson created in 2001, is building out its online resources as it prepares to deliver a lineup of Java-enabled phones in the third quarter of this year. The vendor's Web resources for Java are growing, with new Sony Ericsson device emulators freely available as of May 1 to test J2ME applications directly in Metrowerks' Code Warrior Studio and Sun's Forte for Java IDEs. White papers cover such topics as how Java works in Sony Ericsson phones and mobile applications on J2ME. A modest FAQ, little-used message board, and links to a hand-ful of Java pages at Sun.com round out the offerings.
(800) 374-2776
www.ericsson.com/mobilityworld/

Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments (TI) is incorporating Java into its Open Multimedia Applications Platform (OMAP) application processors and TCS wireless chipsets in collaboration with software vendors such as Aplix, Insignia Solutions, Esmertec, Kada Systems, and Tao Group. Texas Instruments is expanding its online Java resources as it rolls out in mid-2002 Java-enabled OMAP processors and wireless chipsets. Surfers will find information on TI's Java-enabled Innovator Development Kit for Series 60 to build 2.5G and 3G applications on its OMAP, links to third-party vendors, and Java documentation in extensive knowledgebase repositories.
(800) 336-5236
www.ti.com

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