Dev Bits: Handango Localization, Java, AppForge, Awards

Posted By: Ryan Wednesday, September 24, 2003 11:32:11 AM

Handango is now offering a free localization program, enabling developers to localize their applications for European markets. IBM's J2ME for Palm OS runtime will ship soon, Appforge had announced MobileVB support fro OS 5, the European Powered Up awards have been announced and photos from the conference are online.

Handango Localization
Handango is launching a free localization program to grow the quantity of German, French, Italian and Spanish applications. For a limited time, developers with approved applications are eligible to receive free localization services from Handango. Interested developers should contact: localization@handango.com

At the European PalmSource Developer Conference, Handango is also unveiling the first of several innovative promotions for the European market. Starting today, Palm and Handango are offering developers a cost-free method for discounting their applications throughout October and November. Developers can offer their customers 10% off the price of their applications at the Palm Europe Software Stores. The discount is entirely funded by Palm and Handango, enabling developers to grow sales at no additional cost and encourage customers to try new applications. Interested developers can contact Handango at partners@handango.com.

IBM Java - J2ME Runtime
According to ZDNet, Palm said Tuesday that it will embed IBM's Java software, called WebSphere Micro Edition, in its high-end Tungsten devices. A developer toolkit is available from Palm now, and the company expects to ship the Java "runtime" software with its Tungsten devices later this year. A version of that software that's optimised for the ARM processor is expected for release early next year, according to Palm. PIC has more information about the J2ME runtime here.

AppForge MobileVB
AppForge, Inc has announced MobileVB 4.0, with support for Palm OS 5 running on Palm Powered mobile devices. MobileVB is a mobile and wireless development tool that integrates seamlessly into Microsoft Visual Studio. Palm OS developers use specialized MobileVB controls, libraries, and modules to create applications within the Visual Studio IDE. MobileVB ships with more than 30 standard controls, as well as modules and libraries for database synchronization, telephony, and gaming. MobileVB applications can be tested from within the IDE and compiled into single-file installation packages for distribution. The comany has also announced there will be no charge for standard AppForge Booster for Palm OS 5.

With the addition of Palm OS 5 support, Microsoft developers can create mobile applications using their existing tools and knowledge and deploy those applications on more than 90 percent of the leading mobile and wireless devices. MobileVB 4.0 will enable existing Visual Basic developers to create robust solutions for Palm Powered mobile devices, while encouraging new developers to build on the Palm OS platform. The suggested retail price of AppForge's MobileVB 4.0 version is US $899. The product will be available in October 2003. Customers who purchase MobileVB between September 1 and the release of MobileVB 4.0 will receive a free upgrade to 4.0. All other registered users of MobileVB can upgrade for US $249.

PalmSource Europe Pictures
Our friends at PDAFrance have a excellent photo gallery of pictures from the European PalmSource Developer conference.

The European Powered Up Awards
Created by PalmSource to celebrate innovative Palm OS applications from our European developer community, the 2003 European Powered Up winners are:

Best European Productivity Solution :PiLoc by Paragon Software , a comprehensive language localization solution for the Palm Powered mobile device.

Best European Enterprise Solution :Agendus Professional by iambic , a complete and integrated contact management and communications solution for the Palm Powered mobile device. Contacts, Calendar and To Do List history, linking and grouping, together with integrated email and SMS allow users to manage business information and corporate communication.

Best European Leisure and Entertainment Solution :Table Tennis 3D by Xavier Martin is an interactive table tennis simulation game on the Palm Powered mobile device. The award recognizes the quality of the graphics and an the array of digitized sounds and customizable features found in the program.

Best European Student Developer Solution :ProjectX, by Alexander Mlazev , is a fast-paced action adventure game on the Palm Powered mobile device.

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and..

helf @ 9/24/2003 2:14:19 PM #

we care about appforge...why? It's a bloated POS setup...

RE: and..

statik @ 9/24/2003 2:43:33 PM #

There is no way that I would release a end user application written with appforge. The libraries make it to unwieldy.

However, for enterprise applications, Appforge is a good fit. It's easy to develop on and provides RAD.

Think of it as Visual Basic for the palm. Not worth writing a word processor in, but great for a small in house app.

RE: and..

palmgaulois @ 9/24/2003 4:19:09 PM #

Just Take a look about HB++
http://www.handheld-basic.com its a real compiler and writing program is easy as basic, no runtime and quick run, it can also directly connect on dbf or mdb file with is conduit. Also include in the price you get all tools for your server (if you need).I use in past Satellite Forms since 3 years now i use HB for two week and i don't want to change for another.

www.palmgaulois.com & www.pdacool.com

RE: and..

Scott R @ 9/24/2003 8:45:51 PM #

The other interesting bit about the AppForge news is that this new release also adds support for Symbian Series 60 devices, like the Nokia 3650.

Scott

http://TapLand.com
- Tapwave Zodiac News, Reviews, & Discussion -

Just give me Codewarrior

EthiopianFlash @ 9/24/2003 2:49:39 PM #

I am not sure what VB would have over Codewarrior.
Maybe if it has some extra controls...

IBM Java

ganoe @ 9/24/2003 3:36:36 PM #

There's plenty of info on it here:
http://palm.com/java

Unfortunately, it's only CLDC 1.0/MIDP 1.0 which has been available on the Palm for some time now. It's really old news with MIDP 2.0 already out, plus MIDP was never really for these kinds of PDAs anyhow. They seem to be saying that MIDP 2.0 will be available later this fall.

The only real news is that it sounds like it will actually be included on all future Tungsten handhelds, and maybe you'll even be able to use it on current Tungstens. So, I guess that's good news. Built-in stuff is certainly much more likely to be supported.

Coding for PalmOS?

mikecane @ 9/24/2003 7:09:44 PM #

I started to read a C primer and a Palm Programming book a few years ago. I got the impression that if I really wanted to, I could create some simple Palm apps for myself.

Is this still the case?

And will it still be the case for OS6?

I'm not looking to create shareware for others. There are just some little text-handling utilities I could use for myself that are unlikely to be needed by other people.

And what would the cost of entry be for developing apps?

Hello, Ben?

RE: Coding for PalmOS?

PalmSide @ 9/25/2003 4:37:01 AM #

cost of entry?

get prc-tools, pilrc and the latest sdk and you'r all set. cost of entry: € 0.00

RE: Coding for PalmOS?

bcombee @ 9/25/2003 12:58:25 PM #

The cost of entry varies from $0 for using free tools like prc-tools, to $150ish for NS/Basic, to $399 for a new seat of CodeWarrior for Palm OS, to more for tools like AppForge and Handheld Basic.

It all depends on what you want to use. Check out the developer pages at www.palmsource.com for more details and possibilities.

--
Ben Combee, CodeWarrior for Palm OS technical lead
Programming help at www.palmoswerks.com

Anyone know?........................

Tungstenman @ 9/24/2003 8:28:28 PM #

Anyone know whare I can get the basics on palm programing, for PRC code, maybe also on creating DOC e-books??????
Please help.

Thank you everyone.

A Palm in one hand is worth 2 PocketPCs
: )
-Steve B.

RE: Anyone know?........................

mikecane @ 9/24/2003 8:34:09 PM #

I know there are several print books out. They came out this year.

But print -- it kinda gets old fast in this business...

Anyone know if these boosk are still good?

RE: Anyone know?........................

Brian_bkk @ 9/25/2003 8:46:17 AM #

Hi,

Try this link:
http://www.palmos.com/dev/start/

and download the free software.

Also you may want to debug your software using

http://www.palmos.com/dev/tools/simulator/ and of course this :
http://www.jensbruhn.de/products/southDebugger/southdebugger.html

Make sure you install the jave engine from Sun (link on the southpark page)

Good Luck

Brian_L

RE: Anyone know?........................

Brian_bkk @ 9/25/2003 9:21:06 AM #

Forgot this most important link about starting with Palm OS programming
http://www.xpinneret.com/course.html#TOC

RE: Anyone know?........................

twalk @ 9/25/2003 1:07:24 PM #

Get the book "Palm Programmer's Bible" by Foster. There might have been a better book to come out just recently (I haven't looked), but this one has everything you should need, with plenty of *small* examples.