Kate Bauer

[Project Name Here]

mobile application for “downtime”

by Kate Bauer & Chris Paretti

[Project Name Here] is a mobile application that enables users to download content via txt (no internet required)
automatically to their mobile phone that can be accessed when the phone is out of range (subway, elevator.)

Concept

[Project Name Here] has evolved from the question of what to do with your mobile phone when it is not being used for talking. Of course, there are text messages, but these can only be sent when there is network capability. Then there are games. But some people enjoy do not playing games (gasp!) as much as others. The phone can be used as an alarm clock, scheduler, even a small computer (with MS Office applications.) However, none of the present applications for the phone seem to fit that time, normally during commute or waiting in line, when a person either does not have advanced applications or wants to just browse some information casually.

People can carry books with them, newspapers and such items. There are times, however, when it is inconvenient to do so. That time still exists- the downtime of the mobile phone. [Project Name Here] is specifically geared toward this time and provides an application with customizable content that provides the option to access this content when there is no network connectivity

How It Works

The application can be downloaded from the [Project Name Here] website, which includes easy-to-follow instructions on the application set-up. (Basically, download the file and send it to your phone using bluetooth on the computer.) The application will trigger the mobile phone to automatically download RSS feeds from the internet using bluetooth technology at a time specified by the user. (A basic list of pre-downloaded RSS feeds will be available at the start-up of the program.) These RSS feeds will be stored on the phone until the next upload time, and then erased when the new information is downloaded. There is a timely nature to this project, however future versions will have the option of deleting certain information only.

The application will be built using J2ME (implementing the Canvas class.) The Bluetooth technology is included in most phone and computer models or can be added to the computer, if needed. Maybe some kind of screen-reading software will be used to enhance accessibility, as reading on a small screen is less than ideal when the screen sizes are very small.

Effects

People will now be able to spend ALL of their time on the phone (for better or for worse.) Maybe computers will be carried around a bit less, as the information will be readily accessible via mobile phone. Ultimately, users will have the option to choose whatever content they want and when they want to read it.

For this project, I decided to try using Flash Lite 1.1. The actionscript calls a PHP script located on a server online. The server then tells the program to access the rss feed and send the data back to the player. The issue with this is that the phone cannot find a server connection. This may be because of the plan I have with T-Mobile (only certain internet access.) I am looking forward to trying this out on a phone that has wider acessibility within the plan.

The XML example in Eclipse ended up working on the emulator but then (of course) would not deploy to the phone. On the Windows side, the file did not play in the emulator (still have to check the phone.)

GoSketch

GoSketch is a drawing application for mobile phone. I have looked online and asked around and so far there is not a decent drawing application for the mobile phone. People always seem to be doing something with their phones. Maybe it is a sunconscious thing, maybe not. This application would allow people to spend their “downtime” (in the subway, in the park) being creative.

People will be able to send drawings to each other via bluetooth. The drawings can be saved so they can be edited at a later date. There is also the capability of taking photos and drawing on them. (Think: mini-photoshop app, w/out all the bells and whistles)

Mobile Paper Dolls

Mobile Paper Dolls is an application that allows the younger audience to create their own characters, change their clothes and essentially personalize in many different ways. The basic body is given at the start. There is a choice of boy or girl (later iterations will include different nationalities, etc.) A drop down menu allows for the different outfits and accessories.

After the doll is finished, it can be uploaded via Bluetooth to a computer to be used as an Avatar for different social software applications, such as Instant Messenger or MySpace.

Background: When I was a young girl, my grandma and I used to cut out paper dolls. When we were done with the patterns in the book, we’d make up our own patterns out of regular paper. The design possibilities were endless! Sometime last year (or perhaps even more recently), a mobile phone was developed for children to use. It had a very simple design, yet the phone had its own audience. Many children now have their own phones, whether that specific model, or more complex models, like the ones we use right now as adults. Sooner or later, there will be applications made specifically for this group of people.

MIDlet Project:

The MIDlet I am going to build is composed of a screen that displays different little people. You can use the quad nav to scroll towards them. When you click, it goes to the next screen that is either a zombie image and a noise of a scream OR it does nothing (if the person is not a zombie.)

Mobile Development Process (Mac)

The setup for the Mac (installation of Ant, PowerPlayer & Polish) is finally complete. With the installation of Eclipse, I was able to go through the mobile development process using this. The result is displayed below. The only downfall to be found as of yet is the lack of emulators available for the Mac. However, I believe the files can easily be transferred over to Windows in the same program and run in the many different emulators available on that particular platform.

Low-Level UI Class (using Canvas):

I found some documentation on using Canvas to create some basic shapes and text, however I am having some difficulty implementing it within Eclipse. It looks like fragments of the code that need to be put together in a certain way. I did find some resources online for both Eclipse and J2ME that I think will be useful in figuring this out.

Favorite Application:

Since I currently use a very low level mobile phone, there is a limit to the kind of applications it is capable of running. That said, my favorite application thus far is the Instant Messenger capability (not quite sure if this qualifies as an application.) I have grown so -sadly- attached to my computer and the feeling of being completely connected at all times to almost everyone I know and this application provides the ability to transfer this connectivity to a device which I carry with me everywhere I go.

In a positive way, I receive messages for work, school or from friends immediately. It elimates the wait involved in the process of email. On the contrary, there is a downside to being constantly accessible. There is a certain obligation inherent in being “on call” 24 hours a day and that is not necessarily something I look forward to.