Getting Started with Java ME Application Development

Java Platform, Micro Edition (Java ME) provides a robust, flexible environment for applications running on mobile and other embedded devices.

Get the Tools

Sprint Wireless Toolkit

We offer developer tools and utilities to aid with application development for mobile Java handsets. Widely downloaded and used is the Sprint mobile Java wireless toolkit (WTK) that is an enhancement on the industry standard wireless toolkit built by Sun Microsystems. Please download the latest version of the Sprint Wireless Toolkit (WTK) is 3.3.2.

The WTK3.3.2 comes with complete documentation, user guide, quick reference, java docs for Sprint extensions and most supported JSRs and a number of sample applications with source code. Some feature highlights include:

• A new main screen GUI Look and Feel
• Samsung Instinct emulator Virtual Keyboard support.
• An enhanced Samsung Instinct Widget library and an updated SUN LWUIT for JavaME development.
• Option to build standalone MIDlet jar/jad debug package
• Built-in support for MIDlet deployment to Sprint VDL.
• New LG LX400, Sanyo 3800, Samsung M520, Samsung Z400 emulators.
• Technical documentation that covers the toolkit features.

You can use any leading Java development IDE like Netbeans or Eclipse for developing mobile Java applications. Sprint WTK 3.3.2 is compatible with either of the IDEs. For Java ME development on iDEN, you can find complete details on the Motorola MotoDev Java portal including SDK for iDEN devices, developer guides, sample code and tutorials.

Content Uploaders

Content upload tool for CDMA - use this utility to upload and temporarily host your content on the ADP server for downloading on the handset. Once you’ve specified the phone number and he content file location on the web tool, the App is uploaded to the ADP server and a SMS is sent to your phone with a link to download the application.

iDEN Content Uploader - offers content upload and hosting feature similar to the CDMA tool but for use with iDEN devices.

Samsung Instinct Visual Designer

UI layout can be a challenge even for seasoned developers, this tool will hopefully make that part of designing an app simple. We have built a drag-n-drop type of developer tool that allows you to visually layout your UI and have it generate the code to create that UI as well as some of the other basic code segments such as WidgetEventListener with its basic structure ready for you to populate the business logic behind the Widget.

The neat thing about this tool is it is 100% MIDlet based, this means it actually runs on a real phone, or you can run it on your desktop inside the Samsung emulator.

Imagine your sales team sitting with a customer dragging UI elements around the screen to get the proper layout; the user hits generate and the code is saved to the SD card, this file can then be provided to your development staff to cut/paste into the app.

We will be releasing the source for this tool so you will be able to make your own changes and include any custom UI widgets you may use in your application. Click here to download Instinct Visual UI Designer.

Develop

Developer Mode Enablement & Developer Code Signing

If your application makes use of any restricted APIs (MS-assisted location, user address book, protected device properties and system settings), you need to declare MIDlet permissions and digitally sign your app with the developer code signing ID included with the Sprint WTK 3.3.2. To download and install the developer signed application on your device, you first activate the developer mode on the handset. You will find detailed instructions and activation steps on the developer root activation page.

Technical Articles and Documentation

• Mobile Java Security and digital code signing
• Sprint Java Extensions v2.2
• Introduction to Wireless Messaging API programming
• Application Management System URI strings
• Developer guide for the LG Rumor
• Using Virtual Keypad with Samsung Upstage
• Guide to building Visual UI 2009 update
• Sprint styleguide for mobile apps
• Vision Styleguide 2.0
• Icon Assets for Sprint UI (Volume)
• Icon Assets for Sprint UI (PNGs)
• Resolving 909 error
• iDEN LBS Speed & Heading Calculation
• File Syst & RMS Best Practices
• Proper CPU Usage on iDEN
• Enterprise J2ME
• Secure App Dev on iDEN
• Expanded range of Sprint IP addresses
• Visually creating application GUI for the Instinct line of devices.

Test

Content upload tool for CDMA - use this utility to upload and temporarily host your content on the ADP server for downloading on the handset. Once you’ve specified the phone number and he content file location on the web tool, the App is uploaded to the ADP server and a SMS is sent to your phone with a link to download the application.

iDEN Content Uploader - offers content upload and hosting feature similar to the CDMA tool but for use with iDEN devices.

Code Samples

From time to time, we continue to add new code samples and tutorials related to mobile Java development. Below you will find some useful code samples and utilities that you can use with your application development efforts.

Sample applications for the Samsung Instinct

• Open Location Access (JSR179) – Do you need to use GPS location in your application, this sample shows you how to use this open and free feature on the Instinct, S30, and Instinct HD.
• Samsung Instinct Visual Designer – Download the source for the Visual designer which is a Java ME application.
  
• Open Camera Access:  Learn how to set viewfinder sizes, captures images, and view captured images with pan support on touch screen on the Instinct.
• Instinct Rotate Screen:  Do you want your app to be able to display in both portrait and landscape modes? This sample shows how you can rotate the screen to display your application in landscape mode.
• Open Phonebook Access (JSR75):  A sample and utility in one. See how in a only a few lines of code you can select a user from phonebook and get back the Contact object all using the Samsung Instinct Widget Library.
• Open FileIO access(JSR75):  A sample and utility in one. See how in a few lines of code you give your user a file broswer and let them select a file to open.
• Open Audio playback:  Do you want to play MP3 files in your app? How about .mid files, well this simple exmaple is the one you have been looking for!
• SIWL (Samsung Instinct Widget Library): Shows the basics of the SIWL. If you haven't used this UI before, or just want a good basic reference, this is a must have.

• Utilizing the Muglet API: This technical paper describe in details the purpose and use of the Muglet API, which is part of the Sprintr MIDP 1.0 Extensions.

Others

• Virtual Keypad utility for the Samsung UpStage

Webcasts and Blogs

• Sprint Wireless Toolkit 3.3.2 webcast

Cool Stuff

Featured apps

Want to see your App featured here? Please send your request to us.

Community content

• You will find a useful tool for visually creating application GUI for the Instinct line of devices here.
• An article from Mobility tips on blogs.sun.com that discusses a Simple Strategy for Logging and Monitoring of MIDlets.