palmOne Releases New Java J2ME Runtime

Posted By: Ryan Wednesday, March 31, 2004 12:15:51 PM

palmOne today announced general availability of an ARM-processor-optimized Java runtime for end users. The new MIDP 2.0 J2ME runtime is compatible with Tungsten handhelds, the Zire 71 and the Treo 600 smartphone.

IBM's WebSphere Micro Environment and its accompanying developer toolkit, WebSphere Micro Environment Toolkit for Palm OS developers, enables the development, testing, deployment and execution of Java 2 Micro Edition-compliant applications on palmOne devices.

This continues the growing trend of Java enthusiasm in the Palm OS community, as evidenced by the recent announcement from PalmSource regarding its licensing of IBM's WebSphere Micro Environment Java 2 Micro Edition (J2ME) certified runtime environment and WebSphere Studio Device Developer (WSDD) toolset for integration into the Palm OS platform.

palmOne also is debuting a Java application section on its Software Connection website. This includes support for standard Palm OS applications, installed via HotSync operation, as well as Java applications that can be installed wirelessly, over the air.

By quickly extending the benefits of the Java developer community and IBM relationship to the award-winning Treo and Tungsten product lines, palmOne is better-equipping developers to deliver compelling aftermarket business and consumer solutions. Mobile workforces and consumers alike will benefit from a greater number of compelling, standards-based applications, development tools, and solutions. Mobile Java applications run the gamut from clients for sophisticated business systems, to fun and easily downloadable games. palmOne can now help meet the demand for standards-based Java-enabled handhelds and smartphones with a more diverse set of capabilities and configurations than its competitors.

The MIDP 2.0 runtime is currently available at no cost to Tungsten handheld users who purchased their handheld on or after Oct. 1, 2003. Treo 600 smartphone users or Tungsten handheld users who purchased their handheld before Oct. 1, 2003 and users of Zire 71 handhelds can purchase the runtime for $5.99 from Software Connection. Users who downloaded or purchased the MIDP 1.0 version of the runtime can download the MIDP 2.0 upgrade at no cost.

Developers can download the no-cost MIDP 2.0 toolkit and get more information on palmOne's Java strategy and activities for developers.

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palmOne only?

bobes @ 3/31/2004 1:00:08 PM #
Why is this just a PalmOne initiative? Would't all PalmOS users and developers benefit more if this was a palmsource thing?

RE: palmOne only?
rory @ 3/31/2004 2:10:28 PM #
Yes it would, but I doubt PalmSource has the resources to do it.

--
Visor Deluxe > iPod > Clie SJ33 > Zire 71 > ?
RE: palmOne only?
skeezix @ 3/31/2004 2:11:31 PM #
I imagine if PS did it, to cover the licensing cost they'd have to raise the cost of every copy of the OS to the licensees, who'd then pass the cost onto the end customer; here we have licensees able to get it if they want to. (ie: PS delivers the OS and some basic PIM apps and such, but the licensees pick the end apps.. so how PalmOne units get the graphical notepad, Sony users ge the media players and Flash, etc..). If PalmSource bundles Flash, J2ME, etc etcx.. it'd cost a lot more :)

jeff

The Shadow knows!

RE: palmOne only?
bcombee @ 4/1/2004 1:40:26 AM #
PalmSource announced at the PalmSource Dev Con that they were establishing a licensing relationship with IBM to provide their JVM as a part of the Palm OS platform. You can see what we've announced on that front at http://www.palmsource.com/press/2004/021004_ibm.html .
I don't expect that Java will be a standard component on all Palm OS devices, rather that it will be one of the optional parts that a licensee or carrier can license through PalmSource to put on their device, like the PalmSource Web Browser or the new PalmSource MobileMail client.

--
Ben Combee
http://combee.palmos.com - PDA programmer weblog
RE: palmOne only?
ldrolez @ 4/1/2004 2:49:40 PM #
They could also integrate superwaba. It's free and open source.
http://www.superwaba.org

treo

Finch @ 3/31/2004 3:29:21 PM #
i bought a treo 600 in december, 2003 does that mean i can get it freee?

RE: treo
just_little_me @ 3/31/2004 4:06:18 PM #
Quote from above "The new MIDP 2.0 J2ME runtime is compatible with Tungsten handhelds, the Zire 71 and the Treo 600 smartphone."


JLM.

RE: treo
Calroth @ 3/31/2004 9:43:59 PM #
"Treo 600 smartphone users or Tungsten handheld users who purchased their handheld before Oct. 1, 2003 and users of Zire 71 handhelds can purchase the runtime..."

Ambiguous sentence.

Do they mean "Treo 600 smartphone users who purchased their handheld before Oct. 1, 2003"? Because the Treo 600 wasn't even released then...

I think they mean "Treo 600 smartphone users who purchased it at any time", but I could be wrong. Gotta love ambiguity.

Anyway, AFAIK, if you're a developer then you can download it for free. Not that I've checked that recently either.

Macromedia Flash

JonathanChoo @ 3/31/2004 4:12:13 PM #
That is what I want! I need Flash on my T3 so I can demo my flash works whenever I want.

---
PDAs: Psion 5> Vx > m505 > N770C > T625C > NR70V > e310 > T/T > HP h2210 > T/T3 & h4150
Mobiles: StarTac > T28m > T39m > T68m > T610 > T630
DigiCam: DiMage E323
RE: Macromedia Flash
Shotokan @ 3/31/2004 4:32:02 PM #
I would like to not only get Flash for the Palm OS, but also be able to connect with Flash Remoting server either through bluetooth phone or hard wired to the internet.

J2ME games

ollieollie82 @ 3/31/2004 7:19:39 PM #
Sorry if i'm just ignorant or this has been asked before, but does this mean I am able to play J2ME games for cellphones on my Palm?

RE: J2ME games
bcombee @ 4/1/2004 1:45:38 AM #
That is one of the upsides of the new JVM. Already, a lot of Treo 600 users have been using the beta version of this system to run an alternate web browser written in Java.

--
Ben Combee
http://combee.palmos.com - PDA programmer weblog
RE: J2ME games
Calroth @ 4/1/2004 1:52:18 AM #
I don't know if this is true of the new version, but I'm using the J2ME developer version before this one. On my Treo 600, I can't play a lot of "interesting" games like Prince of Persia or Rainbow Six; they error with a class-not-found exception (generally something like com.nokia.fullscreen or similar).

RE: J2ME games
gfunkmagic @ 4/1/2004 11:53:02 PM #
>>>>>Sorry if i'm just ignorant or this has been asked >>>before, but does this mean I am able to play J2ME >>games for cellphones on my Palm?


Yup, In fact I uploaded a bunch of converted Jave games below for all those interested! :)

http://discuss.treocentral.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48865

I support http://Tapland.com/

--------------------
GNM

how big is the software?

fwillerup @ 4/1/2004 4:55:32 AM #
I checked the web site, but I cannot find any info on how much space the runtime occupies in the device (in my case the Treo 600). Anyone knows?

/fred

Still no Tungsten T support

ehanneken @ 4/1/2004 9:29:30 AM #
Just like the last release, this one does not support the original Tungsten T. I wonder why that's so. The Zire 71 has the same amount of RAM (16 MB) as the Tungsten T, and its processor is no faster, yet it is supported.

RE: Still no Tungsten T support
ldrolez @ 4/1/2004 2:45:25 PM #
MIDP sucks.
You can get a fast and free JVM at http://www.superwaba.org



Serious problem: JVM Mangles Hotsync

dnicolaou @ 4/1/2004 9:36:29 AM #
Win 2K/TC(update 2)/HSM 4.1

So I install the new JVM, and now Hotsync always hangs during DB sync at "Synchronizing J9 Preferences". Cancellation fails, so this requires killing HotSync Manager using the Task Manager and a soft reset of the palm. And who knows which databases are scheduled to sync *after* the J9 db and so are not backed up.


RE: Serious problem: JVM Mangles Hotsync
dnicolaou @ 4/3/2004 12:34:43 PM #
Palm's solution? Unbelievable...


"I am sorry for the inconvenience caused to you in the previous mail. I understand that you get this above error message when performing Hotsync operation between your palm Tungsten C handheld and desktop PC.

I also see that the error started after you have installed a third party application on your palm handheld.
I suggest that you delete the application off your handheld, to get rid of the error message. Please proceed ahead with the steps below to delete the installed third party application (MIDP 2.0 IBM) from your handheld and rename the backup folder."

Unreal. We released it and it doesn't work right, so delete it.


RE: Serious problem: JVM Mangles Hotsync
PumiceT @ 7/19/2004 1:10:10 AM #
Same problem here with my T3. "Synchronizing J9 Java Launcher" my ass! It's doing nothing!!

RE: Serious problem: JVM Mangles Hotsync
ajasso @ 1/3/2005 7:35:27 PM #
I was getting the "Synchronizing J9 Java Launcher" and my palm was hanging up. The previous post was correct about deleting the j9 related files. I did the following:
1. On my palm I deleted the J9 * related files. Restart palm.
2. I then HotSynced with a pc that did not have the J9 programs. (I am guessing this is not needed.)
3. I HotSynced with a pc that did have the J9 programs.
4. After that HotSync only took seconds but my J9 programs were now on my Tungsten E.
Hope this helps
RE: Serious problem: JVM Mangles Hotsync
Ryan007red @ 5/3/2005 11:08:41 AM #
I did the same and it worked on my Treo 600. I deleted everything Java, installed the app again and resynced.

Still a CLDC JVM??

Winter_ @ 4/1/2004 10:49:48 AM #
If I remember correctly, IBM has a CDC JVM. WHY, OH WHY then does Palm limit us to a CLDC???

Won't Jeode release their CDC JVM for Palm so we can blast away this crippled crap?

I could run a JVM with Swing on a 120 MHZ, 48 Mb, Mac OS 8 machine, for God's sake... now, the T3 has a 400 MHz processor with about 60 Mb and can only use a CLDC?? Give me a break!

How long ago did Pocket PCs get a CDC? Is that YEARS ago?


RE: Still a CLDC JVM??
ldrolez @ 4/1/2004 2:47:15 PM #
Try http://www.superwaba.org
It's free, fast, small and much more capable, and compatible than MIDP.

RE: Still a CLDC JVM??
Winter_ @ 4/1/2004 4:57:51 PM #
I'm sure you already knew what I'm going to answer... but OK, I'll do it.

I (WE) need JAVA, not a look alike. Remember the "compile once, run anywhere"?

I know SuperWaba, but it hardly makes a point for Palm OS. As an example, I work in a group who's developing some Java apps. The apps were designed and developed for Windows PCs. After being deployed, we thought about taking them to PDAs. It was IMMEDIATE for a Zaurus - the expected "Java experience" if you will :P. It's being a bit troublesome for PocketPC, but it's getting along.
But, for Palm? Too convoluted, and no guarantees. And, given that PalmOne won't care for a "real" Java on the platform, why should we try?

Add in that here Palms are a minority, and you get a quite hard point to make: why bother?

RE: Still a CLDC JVM??
ldrolez @ 4/5/2004 6:00:20 PM #
> I (WE) need JAVA, not a look alike. Remember the "compile once, run anywhere"?

Superwaba is java + some compact libs useful for pocket devices.
Superwaba runs :
- on any desktop computer with a JVM installed (and in any browser)
- palmos
- wince / pocketpc
So it's compile once, run anywhere ? no ?


RE: Still a CLDC JVM??
Winter_ @ 4/5/2004 7:19:45 PM #
Let me get this straight. If I understand correctly, SuperWaba is a restricted Java. Some standard libraries are substituted by SuperWaba ones; other libraries are just cut out. For example, the GUI libraries are different.

So, with a bit of luck, at least a specific recompile (with the new libraries) would be needed.
Without luck, a (partial?) rewrite would be needed.

Is that correct?

J2ME for Tungsten T3 and E

vesther @ 4/3/2004 3:29:38 PM #
I got the Java updated on my Tungsten handhelds. Deployed an Algebraic program on my Tungsten T3. Had no problems thus far, will continue to log my usage through Palm Infocenter when needed.

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