J2ME

mobile5 Image Habitat has tremendous capabilities in Java Development from small J2ME applications to large scale, component based, multithreaded Java applications, interacting with the mobile handset.

Image Habitat has used the J2ME architecture to develop Mobile Applications which enable users to use small applications which are always resident on their mobile phone. Using this technology, businesses are able to give consumers a similar experience to that on the internet directly on the Mobile Phone.

What is J2ME ?

J2ME stands for Java 2 Micro Edition, it is a platform which provides a means of creating applications, and access to data through a wireless network. Image Habitat has core skills in J2ME which its uses to develop applications which users download onto their phones. Once users have the application on their phone, they can interact with the application, anytime anywhere. In a similar way to the internet, users an view information, and carry out simple transactions over the mobile. Business's benefit by having direct interaction with their consumers, whom can stipulate their requirements for any product or service.

How does J2ME relate to Java ?

Java or Java 2 which is termed J2EE is a powerful platform which enables the development of enterprise wide computer systems. As mobile devices have evolved, SUN introduced the latest addition to the Java platform, the Java 2 Micro edition or J2ME. This platform is suited for wireless devices such as Mobile Phones, PDA's and Pagers.

J2ME is defined in categories for devices for limited processing power such as mobile phones - These categories are called the Connected Limited Device Configuration ( CLDC ), and on top of these configurations we have what is known as profiles such as the Mobile Information Device Profile (MIDP). The MIDP along with the CLDC provides a complete runtime environment targeted at Mobile Phones, PDA's and Pagers.

How does J2ME relate to WAP?

When Image Habitat work with customers, we outline the fact that there are many wireless technologies that are in our portfolio of skills to enable business benefit.

WAP is one of our skills and stands for the Wireless Application Protocol, it is a markup language similar to HTML in the internet world. WAP is a technology that supports a minimal web browser on a mobile device. The main difference between J2ME and WAP is that WAP is not an application, it is a protocol.

Generally, J2ME applications have a clear benefit, than just developing applications in WAP alone.

Better User Interface - WAP is fairly constrained in terms of the user interface, J2ME presents a much greater flexibility in user interface so much so, Games have been developed in J2ME which are hugely popular. The API's in J2ME allow easy to use and interesting interfaces to be developed.
Better Performance - WAP requires a number of round trips to the actual server to retrieve content, and allow users to interacts with a mobile application. J2ME applications however, can be downloaded onto a users phone, and accessed without the need to dial up onto a WAP connection each time the user wants access to it. The MIDP J2ME application by contrast is contained within the users actual phone and can be used even when disconnected from the network.

Image Habitat has great expertise in J2ME development and has a end to end common architecture which enables the development and deployment of J2ME applications. Our experience enables us to:

Speed up the development process
Ensure application compatibility for the most popular handsets
Ensure the best user experience
Deliver the application to end users using our own infrastructure
Maintain user preference information and customize application updates.

Please contact us to find out more about our J2ME development skills.