Revving Mobile Java: OJWC 3.1 released

With over 3 billion devices and counting, Java on mobile devices is enjoying growth and huge adoption in many key markets around the world.

In the meantime, developers are pushing to build richer and more interesting applications, both from a functional as well as a user interface perspective. New use cases in mCommerce, social networking, location-based services, mobile cloud features, and access to functionality on the operator network are catalysts to create and deliver new compelling applications to the largest mobile user base.

To that end, Oracle is revving the mobile Java platform with Oracle Java Wireless Client 3.1 (OJWC). OJWC is an industry-leading Java ME implementation geared towards device manufacturers, operators, and OEMs who want to get to market quickly with a full-featured, high-performance mobile Java runtime.

This latest 3.1 release provides the following new functionality:

• SIM Extensions—Enable remote content management on mobile handsets through SIM-based services
• Oracle Mobile Developer APIs—Allow new use cases for Java ME applications on feature phones
• Improved Content Management APIs—Facilitate content discovery and deployment
• Network APIs—Leverage data from operator’s network for running smarter Java ME applications on resource-constrained devices
• Other Enhancements—Aid integration with the device platforms

Oracle Java Wireless Client 3.1 will become available on devices over time as it is rolled out in markets around the world.

For developers, the new features such as the Oracle Mobile Developer APIs and the Network APIs are of particular interest. You will be able to start building applications for OJWC 3.1 with the upcoming next release of the Java ME SDK – stay tuned for this.

Find out all the details about OWJC here.

Cheers,

– Terrence

JTHarness 4.4.1 released

JTHarness is one of those projects that may not be very well known to the general developer population, but which are nevertheless critical to many software projects.

JTHarness is a general-purpose, fully-features, flexible, and configurable test harness well suited for many types of unit testing. The JTHarness team has been continually maintaining and improving the code for several years now and the 4.4.1 Milestone Release 1 (MR1) went live on December 21.

Release 4.4.1 is a maintenance release which fixes bugs and includes the following notable changes:

• Makes the “Report Converter” tool easier to use
• Improves the speed of loading the ResultCache file
• Shortens harness start-up time
• Allows known test execution ordering
• Adds new “Save view filter” settings
• Improves COF functionality

JTHarness 4.4.1 is compatible with JTHarness 4.4. See the release notes for further details.

Cheers,

– Terrence

Now available: RS232 Comm Plugin for NetBeans

As reported four weeks ago, Ingmar Hendriks has been working on improving integration of microcontroller development with the NetBeans IDE.

Ingmar just released the new RS232 communication plugin for NetBeans, called nbplugin-avr. This plugin features sending, receiving, displaying, and logging of serial data from within the NetBeans IDE as well as setting configuration parameters and some handy UI features. The plugin also offers a public API which allows other NetBeans modules to leverage RS232 communications.

Next, Ingmar will be working on adding support for AVR/Ardunio microcontrollers in the NetBeans IDE. Great stuff – this brings a new class of development targets and better integration to NetBeans!

Cheers,

– Terrence

JavaOne @ Parleys

Just a quick note: As announced a couple of weeks back, Oracle and Parleys are working together to bring a lot of JavaOne 2011 content online for you to watch.

At this point, a total of 48 sessions are now publicly available on Parleys.com, and have been viewed around 75,000 times already.

You can find all the content in the Java > JavaOne 2011 space on Parleys.com.

Cheers,

– Terrence

Happy Holidays!

Taking a quick break from the break to wish everyone Happy Holidays And A Great 2012!

For some extra ‘Holiday Spirit’ from Java developers around the world, tune into The Java Spotlight Podcast Holiday Episode #62. 96 voices, 12 languages, 16 countries. Entertaining and inspiring.

All the Best,

– Terrence

Missed JavaOne 2011? Catch up with these videos

(Update: You will need to register (or log in) first before you can access the videos)

A couple of weeks ago I participated in a video shoot summarizing the key announcements at JavaOne 2011 in San Francisco.

The two videos are now available and feature Gaye Hudson, Steve Walker, Andy Gilbert, and myself. 20 minutes each, they give you a compact wrap-up in terms of JavaOne excitement, community updates, Oracle leadership, and progress in Java SE, JavaFX, Java EE, Java ME, and Java Cloud.

Go to this page and select the JavaOne Key Announcements Tab on the top right.

Cheers,

– Terrence

Quick News: JavaOne LAD videos and podcasts, Java SE 7u2 and JavaFX 2.0.2, eFX project, popular tech articles of 2011

Just back from Brazil and no time to catch my breath … so much happening:

• JavaOne Latin America was a blast – so much enthusiasm in the developer community! Check out some of the videos and podcasts, including the JavaOne Community Keynote, OTN interviews with a variety of Java luminaries, as well as the Java Spotlight Podcast #60: JavaOne Latin America: Videos and Podcasts
• Java 7u2 has been released, featuring an updated VM, support for Oracle Solaris 11, support for Firefox 5 and later, and security fixes. Also, JavaFX 2.0.2 is now included with Java SE to make developing and running JavaFX applications even easier: Java SE 7u2 Release Notes, JavaFX 2.0.2 Release Notes
• Aligning with mainline JDK development, Java SE Embedded 7u2 has been released as well. This release includes new ports to Linux on PPC and performance improvements on ARM systems by 20-40%. Also, Oracle intends to port JavaFX to Linux on ARM in order to support a broad range of platforms from mid-range embedded all the way to desktops: Henrik’s blog on the Java SE Embedded 7u2 release.
• Lots of activity around JavaFX as well – interest is really taking off. Point in case: A new project, eFX, has been started on java.net aiming to create a generic application framework for JavaFX 2.0 based on the NetBeans platform: Geertjan’s blog on eFX
• Finally, OTN put together a list of their “Most Popular Tech Articles of 2011″. Java topics, from Java SE 7 and 8 features, Java EE 6, JSF, and JavaFX dominate the list. Have a look: Our Most Popular Tech Articles of 2011

Cheers,

– Terrence

Java ME SDK 3.0.5 released

Admittedly, I am a bit late with this announcement. The Java ME SDK 3.0.5 was, in fact, released 3 weeks ago – but I haven’t had the time to blog about it.

Despite its minor number increment (from 3.0 to 3.0.5) there are substantial changes and improvements in the new Java ME SDK version, including:

• Netbeans integration: All Java ME tools are now implemented as NetBeans plugins
• LWUIT 1.5 support, including the new GUI Builder
• Ability to use the NetBeans CPU profiling for Java ME applications and even VM classes
• Network Monitor supports monitoring connections such as SIP, Bluetooth, and OBEX, and more
• New tracing functionality for monitor events, method invocation, garbage collection, and more
• Support for multiple Device Managers
• WURFL device database updated with more than 1000 new devices
• New or updated JSR support for a number of APIs

Definitely worth checking out. Find out more and download directly at the Java ME SDK OTN page.

Cheers,

– Terrence

Microcontroller Development with NetBeans

Update (12/20/11):

• MPLAB wins Elektra Electronic Industry Award 2011

People are doing amazing things with the NetBeans RCP (Rich Client) Platform. Geertjan Wielenga just pointed me to two more cool uses, this time for embedded development.

First, Microchip Technology Inc. has built an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for their PIC MCU series, called MPLAB. It’s a feature-rich, fully integrated, end-to-end development environment for developing and testing applications for their range of 8, 16, and 32-bit microcontrollers.

It is built on NetBeans RCP and features a number of advanced functions such as building, deploying, and running/debugging MCU code with a single click, visualizing call graphs to understand complex code, seamless support for different MCU types, project and tool configurations, change tracking, code templates, and much more.

Read this interview with the lead developer, Vince Sheard, on all the features and why they chose NetBeans RCP as the base to build MPLAB on.

Second, coming more from a hobbyist angle, there are several options to program Atmel MCUs (basis of the extremely popular Arduino platform), including the Java-based Arduino IDE.

However, developer Ingmar Hendriks prefers using the NetBeans IDE with its C/C++ support to program Atmel MCUs directly. As Ingmar points out in this interview there are already several options to do that – but it would be great to leverage the flexible NetBeans plugin architecture and create a dedicated plugin which integrates the Atmel MCU tool chain into the NetBeans IDE. This would give developers a one-stop, integrated IDE experience for programming Arduino platforms.

Check out Ingmar’s proposal for creating such a plugin. Sounds like a great idea to me!

Cheers,

– Terrence

Olá Brazil! JavaOne Latin America and JUG Events

For the next 10 days Java will be all over Brazil … and I don’t mean the black, hot kind

JavaOne Latin America

First, JavaOne Latin America is in Sao Paulo from the 6th to the 8th. Choose from dozens of technical sessions, keynotes, and hands-on labs, explore the booths and DEMOGrounds in the Exhibition Area, and take advantage of the opportunities to speak first-hand with the experts and mingle with your fellow developers.

JavaOne Latin America is organized in four tracks

• Client Side Technologies and Rich User Experiences
• Core Java Platform
• Java EE, Web Profile, Platform Technologies, Web Services, and the Cloud
• Java ME, Mobile, Embedded, and Devices

so there’s bound to be something of interest for everyone. Have a look at the schedule for more information. A full list of sessions can be found here.

JavaOne Latin America is also supported by a number of Java User Groups, so I’m particularly looking forward to the Community Keynote with our well-known Java community members Bruno Souza, Fabiane Nardon, and Vinicus Senger. Should be fun!

Also, there is a Portuguese version of the JavaOne website.

More Java Events

Next, there are a number of additional Java-related events planned, from the SOUJava Geek Bike Ride to a string of JUG events where I and several of my Java Evangelism colleagues will be speaking across Brazil on topics such as Java 7, The Future of Java, Java EE, JavaFX 2.0, and more:

• Dec 4, SOUJava Geek Bike Ride 2011, Sao Paulo
• Dec 9, UAIJUG, Uberlandia (event information)
• Dec 9, CEJUG, Fortaleza/CE
• Dec 10, ALJUG, Maceio/AL (event information to be posted here)
• Dec 11, Javaneiros, Campo Grande/MS
• Dec 12, GOJAVA, Goiania/GO
• Dec 12, GUJAVA, Florianopolis (event information)
• Dec 13, RioJUG, Rio de Janeiro (event information to be posted here)

Be sure to check with your local JUG for specific event information.

Hope to see you in person over the next few days at one of the events!

Cheers,

– Terrence

Update: Also see Juggy Says: “Welcome to JavaOne Latin America 2011!”