Java Applications and the Nokia Mobile Phone

Click. Save. Transfer. Install. Run. Now, that's the easiest way for installing a Java application to your Nokia Mobile phone through a PC; if you have the GPRS activated, then a direct download from the Internet is an even easier method. However, the OTA (Over The Air) installation requires the phone's native WAP browser to be used; that way, it shall be a simple point-and-click to access any list of mobile Java applications. But question remains: what is the inner story? The browser, upon receiving a command, downloads the JAD file, which triggers the AMS (Java Application Management Software) to process the data. The phone then prompts for confirming a series of choices and downloads automatically the JAR file and the installation process starts running on its own.

There are certain cases that require installing a Java application straight from a PC and onto the phone, but the JAD and the JAR files, received through an email or from a site or perhaps written directly on a PC require the Nokia PC Suite for a flawless installation for pairing up the matching JAD and JAR files. The PC Suite based Nokia Application Installer program allows selecting a JAR file from a local drive, which then, is matched by the program with a JAD file bearing the same name. In case a matching JAD file is lacking, the only way to get it done, the JAR file can be installed by itself through a process named as the JAR-only installation.

Accessing Java MIDlets

For the Series 60 Nokia mobile devices, the MIDlets, installed by the AMS as top-level icons in the Main menu, can be moved at will to other locations within the drives mentioned in the phone; however, for the Series 60 devices manufactured prior to 2003, the Java MIDlets can be accessed only through the Games or Apps. icon displayed within the Main menu. The Series 40 devices have the Java applications installed under the Applications Collection / Applications Games menu.

Configuring Java for the Newer Series 60 Devices

Starting a Java application requires opening it simply through the preset commands in the soft buttons or with the joystick provided. Select; press and there you are. However, for the newer editions of the Series 60 devices, the built-in Application Manager shows every application that has been installed by an user and can be accessed by operating on the management menu meant for it. The menu allows for deleting or editing the application; accessing its history of updates and to update automatically an application to its latest or newest version if there is Internet access enabled within the phone. The Settings menu allows for altering the way an application enquires for a user's permission(s) prior to performing a sensitive action. This is also what we know as configuring an application and often requires you to answer the prompting associated with the main task.