Wise-Women List Archive File
PDA Application Development Resources
Question:
Hi, all--
Do any of you have links or resources you'd recommend for developing
apps for pda's (specifically, for the palm platform)?
We'll be developing something so basic, it's a pity we can't use
.html--a text menu linking to other text menus, linking to text
information. My understanding is that that .html isn't universally
supported on the palm platform yet, as it requires users to have the
AvantGo plug-in installed.
Any links or software recommendations would be greatly appreciated--I'm
on a fact-finding mission at this point.
We were about to get involved in a project (on hold for now) for pda--coding
interactions. I collected a number of resources. Here they are in no
particular order. Hope they help.
AUTHORING WIRELESS E-LEARNING
Can you author training content for wireless devices
such as Palm and Windows CE handhelds and SmartPhones?
Yes, says Mike Farley ( [email protected] )
in response to that reader question.
Farley is a Dublin, Ohio, design specialist who just
left Lucent Technologies Inc.
He sees handheld devices and telephones "as mechanisms
for delivering real-time human-performance support to
users" on the job.
You can author for handhelds with a text editor
or you can get a specialized tool.
http://www.nokia.com/corporate/wap/sdk.html
http://developer.openwave.com/
http://www.macromedia.com/exchange/dreamweaver/
Nokia Corp.'s WAP Toolkit 2.1, OpenWave Systems
Inc.'s OpenWave SDK and Macromedia Inc.'s Nokia WML
Studio, a Dreamweaver extension, are all free.
Wireless markup language, or WML, is an XML
language that creates content for wireless
application protocol, or WAP.
-----------------
Graphic layouts for small screens
There are several web sites you can check out:
http://www.pocketpcpassion.com
http://www.microsoft.com/mobile/pocketpc/default.asp
http://stellarm.hostme.com/
You can also download this white paper from Microsoft:
http://www.microsoft.com/mobile/developer/technicalarticles/pie_dev.asp
Some basic rules when designing for the PPC platform:
1) The screen size is roughly 230x250 (having no scroll bars)
2) Some devices can only display 12-bit color while others can display
16-bit color, so you'll have to watch gradient banding.
3) There are HTML limitations that are covered in the Microsoft white paper
that you should note.
------------------------------
Some Development Tools
PenDragon Forms
http://store.yahoo.com/register5/pendragonforms.html
Pendragon Forms 3.1 allows you to build high powered, full featured data
collection systems for Palm OS devices in minutes.
Easy to use form generator for PALM OS
Supports scanner in Symbol SPT1500 & 1700
Creates a Microsoft Access database table to store data
Scalable to support multiple users
PenRight ModileBuilder ($1,499)
http://store.yahoo.com/register5/penmobbuil.html
Only PenRight!'s MobileBuilder 2.0 delivers the industry's first complete
Mobile Application Development tool specifically designed to quickly create,
powerful, world class, cross-platform, custom enterprise applications for
Palm OS, Pocket PC, Windows CE, Win32, Win16 and MS-DOS pen-based mobile
handhelds—all from a single application design.
Graphical form designer
Open/flexible C based code editor
Handwriting recognition engine, signature capture
350+ high level APIs and verbs for mobile handhelds
PUMATECH-Satellite Forms
http://store.yahoo.com/register5/satelliteforms.html
Create PALM OS applications with "drag-and-drop" ease
Add substantial functionality without programming
Integrate with corporate data via ActiveX control
Add calculations, validation, conditional logic, looping & sound
Supports laser scanner in Symbol terminals
Absolutely the best package we have seen
Incredibly easy to use
Dowload a FREE demonstration copy of Satellite Forms. Click here now.
MSRP: $795.00TruePrice: Version: StandardEnterprise (+$195.00)
-----------
Free development tools to download.
http://www.microsoft.com/mobile/downloads/emvt30.asp
Check link to start developing with resources for new develpers: technical
documentation, help with installing the tools, guidance for getting started,
and pointers to further resources.
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