Basic mobile phone data application

[Willie Trombone]

I'm looking for software to develop a basic mobile phone application to store simple data.

Basically I want users to 'answer' a list of questions - with numeric answers and the occasional multi select would be optional (even a 1/2/3/4 type answer will do).

Ideally i'd like that data to be stored in a file of sorts to be emailed or even twittered from the device at a later stage.

Has anyone attempted this? Java midp would be ideal for lower end handsets but symbian / win mobile is fine too.

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[Drake2007]

Have a look on http://forum.nokia.com all the SDK's and info is on there.
As for the IDE have a look at Eclipse to develope either for symbian or midp. Watch out for Code Signing

Have you thought about doing this through a website? The info can be captured straight into mySQL.

 

[Willie Trombone]

Yeah, I have but the users may have poor or very slow connectivity. I may consider the symbian compact framework in Visual Studio as I'm more familiar with the MS environment although I'd love to get into eclipse more. I was really hoping there would be a ready made app out there to allow me to enter 'survey style' data - simple lists with numbers etc. That way I don't have to start from scratch

 

[krycor]

why would you want to use java/other mobile dev. software when u can use a simple webpage to collect data like that? only exception would be no coverage/data connection <-- which leaves the data stranded on device.. though, you would still be able to 'collect'(fill out form, store data one phone) it

 

[Willie Trombone]

why would you want to use java/other mobile dev. software when u can use a simple webpage to collect data like that? only exception would be no coverage/data connection <-- which leaves the data stranded on device.. though, you would still be able to 'collect'(fill out form, store data one phone) it

It's being used in developing countries with intermittent and slow connectivity - sometimes no gprs at the entry point. The mobile will be moved later and the data can be sent when there is connectivity.

 

[Elemental_]

I think that a J2me application is the way to go but you will need to test for alot of different devices as they have different JRE's / java run time environments, so that can be time consuming as well as having all teh devices might be a mission.

If you need a mobile site developed please contact me.
thanks

Elemental_

http://www.elemental.co.za

 

[WiT8litZ]

I have recently gone through the process of learning the whole J2ME scene. Was a painful process, but fun nonetheless.

Some pro-tips:

- Java will work for most handsets 80% / 20% rule I reckon, even most of the WinMo devices have some form of JVM installed on them, and if your application sticks to basic functionality, you should be aces on those as well.
- Use a GUI framework. J2mepolish or LWUIT, makes things alot easier
- Code signing is awesome, but expensive, and you really need a good reason to fork out the cash for it.

 

[Willie Trombone]

Excellent - thanks for the input guys, I think I tend to agree. Unless we are going to get expensive symbian hansets, then j2me is the way to go. Not sure about code signing - does it make it easier to install? It's only going to be used internally within our firm so we should be able to get by without it. nice re: J2mepolish or LWUIT, will give them a try

 

[Turbo_Aspiration]

For a quick and dirty app with little learning required (esp if you're familar with Visual Studio), try the Netbeans set of tooling for Java ME.

http://netbeans.org/features/javame/index.html

 

[Willie Trombone]

I prefer eclipse, very similar to VS although I've heard good things about netbeans. I may give it a try once I have a benchmark. Tx again.

 

[WiT8litZ]

I prefer Netbeans. Quite awesome.

Biggest factors re. LWUIT and J2MEpolish = LWUIT is free...

 

[zagame]

has anybody had a look at Breeze from cascadamobile?

http://www.cascadamobile.com/newsbl...application-development-platform-out-of-beta/


http://www.mobilitywire.com/cascada-mobile/2009/09/09/921

I cant seem to find a download site anywhere and www.cascadamobile.com seems to be underconstruction

Breeze takes code written in HTML, JavaScript and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) and automatically converts it into Java code. As a result, any Breeze created application can run on hundreds of different mobile phone types without the need to create multiple device-specific custom builds. Developers receive a simple line of code they can put on their websites, blogs or social network pages allowing people to download the application merely by entering their mobile number. Breeze also takes care of distribution via SMS, WAP Push and direct download from a mobile phone, ensuring the right version of the application is sent to each end user’s phone. Developers can also opt to add their applications to BreezeApps.com, Cascada’s free mobile application portal.

Breeze enables Web programmers unaccustomed to mobile development to add important functions that don’t exist on the Web, such as using the phone’s built-in camera, accessing the contact list and using the location capabilities of the phone.

To ensure that an application works on all handset makes and models, it must be tested. The daunting task of testing applications on hundreds of different phones puts mobile development out of reach for a great many developers. Beyond the testing, global application distribution requires dealing with more than 100 different wireless carriers and network operators. Breeze reduces the testing of mobile applications for hundreds of different handsets down to a single run on the Breeze Simulator.

 

[Willie Trombone]

I prefer Netbeans. Quite awesome.

Biggest factors re. LWUIT and J2MEpolish = LWUIT is free...

Ouch - I thought J2MEPolish was free...
What about EclipseME? Anyone tried that yet?