How to Use Java Apps on a Blackberry

One great feature of the Blackberry is the fact that Blackberry manufacturer RIM chose Java, or more precisely Java 2 Micro Edition (J2ME), as its platform. As a result, Java developers have created a whole universe of Java apps for the Blackberry. You don't need to speak Java to have a lot of fun running Java apps.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Blackberry

Use Java Apps on a Blackberry

1. Open the WAP browser from the Blackberry home screen by clicking on its icon with your track-wheel. The WAP browser works more smoothly with many Java apps than the Blackberry Internet browser. The WAP browser icon may have different tags depending on which carrier you use, such as the "mMode" icon for Cingular and the "Download Fun" icon for T-Mobile.

2. Use the .jad suffix or a phrase such as ".jad apps" or ".jad games" to search online for Java apps that you can download to your Blackberry. The .jad suffix is a command-line abbreviation for "Java Decompiler."

3. Check out Midlet.org for a great selection of Java apps that you can run on your Blackberry (see Resources below). The name of the website comes from the term "MIDlets," which refers to apps which have been designed to run on a Blackberry or other hand-held device using a Java platform like J2ME. Midlet.org also has a new forum for Java apps users to communicate with each other.

4. Download the game Space Travel from Midlet.org using your WAP browser (see Resources below). You can save it to your Blackberry or install it "over the air" for immediate play.

5. Play Space Travel on your Blackberry to see the ease with which Java apps run on your Blackberry.

6. Browse Midlet.org for a wide selection of free Blackberry-friendly Java apps, including productivity software, blogging tools, games, instant messenger tools, dictionaries and much, much more.

7. Keep up with the latest buzz concerning new Java apps for Blackberry and other Blackberry developments by tracking URLs that Blackberry aficionados are bookmarking on del.icio.us (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• Don't be frightened off by the reference to a "program" like Java. J2ME is a platform, distinct from the Java programming language. You don't need to be an alpha geek to run games and other Java apps, any more than you need to write code to write a letter with Word.

Resources

• Java apps on Midlet.org.
• Download Space Travel from Midlet.org.
• Pages tagged with del.icio.us.