| Smartphones
would never be so successful without thousands of third-party
software applications. If you are a computer programmer, you
can write smartphone software as well--either to meet your
own needs or even to sell for a profit. Most smartphones can
be programmed with standard programming languages and APIs.
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Here is a list:
# The Java Micro Edition (previously known
as the J2ME) allows you to write cross-device applications.
It is supported out of the box on virtually all smartphones
from mobile phone vendors like Nokia, Samsung, Motorola, and
RIM. For Palm and Microsoft devices, you might have to install
the Java virtual machine after you purchase the device.
To use Java ME, all you need to know is the
Java programming language with some standardized API add-ons
(e.g., the device UI API, the wireless messaging API, the
location API, and so on).
# C and C++ are the most popular languages
for device programming. Palm-, Microsoft-, Symbian-, and Linux-based
smartphones all use C/C++ as their native programming language.
For those devices, you can make native operating system function
calls in C/C++. So, C/C++ applications have the native look-and-feel,
can take advantage of all the device hardware (e.g., camera,
GPS chip, keyboard), are tightly integrated with the rest
of device software, and have high performance.
However, the C/C++ APIs are device specific
and they take quite some time to learn, even for experienced
developers. If you need to port a C/C++ application from one
device to another, you need to learn entirely new APIs all
over again.
# Visual Basic is one of the most popular
generic programming languages. It is supported on Microsoft
PocketPC Phones and Windows Mobile smartphones. Products like
AppForge's CrossFire allow you to cross compile Visual Basic
applications to non-Microsoft devices such as the Palm smartphone
and Nokia Series 60 Symbian smartphone.
# Scripting languages like Python and Perl
are also supported on some smartphones. For instance, there
is a nice Python interpreter available for Nokia Series 60
smartphones.
Smartphones are converged devices that combine
mobility, connectivity, and programmability. They are quickly
taking over the market for mobile phones and PDAs. In fact,
if you purchased a new mobile phone in the last year or so,
there is a good chance that you already know a smartphone.
You just need to explore it and make best
use of it, if you have not done so already. For computer programmers,
smartphones represent great opportunities for developing new
applications or just hacking for fun.
What
is a Smartphone ? | Emergence
of the Smartphone | What
Can a Smartphone Do? |
Access
Web 2.0 | Developing
Smartphone Applications | Microsoft
Smartphone Tips and Tricks |
Motorola
MPx200 Smartphone 2002 | Samsung
SGH-i750 | What
Makes A GPS Cell Phone |
Nokia
N73: Inspirational Technology | PDA
& Handheld Computers buying guide
|
